Israelis Are Real People

It's a cliche to say that Israelis grow up fast. But they do. I often joke with my friends that I am not a real person. Of course, most of my friends aren't real people either, except for a handful that have become I-bankers or consultants and are already supporting themselves. Of course, most of these people are on the fast-track to either yuppie-dom or an "American Psycho-esque" existence--which is fine, just not for me. Still, when I'm around them, I feel yuong and immature, maybe about 15 years old instead of 23. Last weekend, in Tel Aviv, I met a guy who is now an officer in the army, in a tank. He's 22. When I'm around him, I feel about 7. Maybe 7 and a half. There's just something so maturing about these experiences, it makes Israelis seem larger, older. This is a person who has not really gone to university yet, but he's already acquired more wisdom than I will likely learn in my lifetime.