The Matchmaking Bus Driver
Everyone has an "Only in Israel" story!
Here's Dana's story:
I got on a bus right before the holidays one year, only to realize that I did not have enough money on my Rav Kav (Israeli bus card) to pay for the ride!
I made a joke to the driver saying, “Oh, I have to pay for this?”
And it all started from there…
Driver: Well you do have to pay, but if you were to marry an Egged worker, you’d be exempt!
Me: In this situation, I think I’d rather marry an EL AL worker for free flights!
Driver: I don’t know anyone at EL AL but I have many great single guys in Egged (Israel’s main bus company).
Me: (laughing) Oh yeah? How old? Ready for retirement?
Driver: Well, there are definitely a few your age.
Me: (laughing even harder, after he just called me old!) Are you seriously trying to be my matchmaker now? Only in Israel!
Driver: Why not? I have done this before! Where are you from?
Me: Romania.
Driver: Great, we have some Romanians! Some Yemenites too! I am Yemenite! Whatever you want. Are you single? Do you want to give me your phone number?
As I got off the bus, I heard the driver call out to me “Hag Sameah, but you still need to give me an answer!”
I didn’t get a date, but I did enter the holiday with a huge smile on my face!
