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How does the Israeli elections and privacy etiquette tie Together?

Tami Lancut Leibovitz

It’s been a week since the Israeli Prime Minister Elections and it seems like the country is not fully recovered yet. Some are happy about the results, some are less, but the biggest surprise was the difference between the results of all of the polls and predictions, compared to the real results.

It all connects to a sensitive subject within the field of etiquette: politics and talking about politics.

More precisely, I would like to analyze with you the question “Who did you vote for?”

When asked, some will declare their vote and opinion right away and some will ignore the question and answer in an avoiding manner, such as: “I voted for the best”, “I voted for the right party” and so on.

The one rule about ANY question is, use common sense! If it seems intrusive and seems like it will be making the other person uncomfortable, give it up! Don’t let your curiosity to affect your manners and don’t “force” the question on any friend or colleague and create embarrassment.

Each of us has a “virtual” privacy zone we would like to keep, and the private voting booth allows us to vote for whoever our heart desires, without being judged by our surrounding.

A political opinion can be un-welcomed in some circles and many will choose to keep their opinion to themselves. The difference between the polls and the results in the Israeli elections, proved it to us once again.

Moshe ben Maimon, acronymed RaMBaM, a well-known medieval Sephardic Jewish philosopher, once said: “A man has many opinions throughout his life - some opinions a man have since he was born, some he acquired from others and some he figured it out with his own mind”. Since the beginning of time, different opinions is an important part of society and democracy.

So, Back to Business, what are the main guidelines for dealing the dreaded question?

If you were asked “Who did you vote for”?

Use your judgment, if you feel free to let your opinions heard, do it with a sense of sensitivity and never attack the other person for his views, no matter what they are. Also, don’t present your opinion like it’s the “correct” one and the only one. If you show respect and acceptance, it will go over smooth.

If you choose not to answer, avoid “it’s none of your business” and choose a nicer answer like “I prefers to keep it to myself”.

If you asked “Who did you vote for”?

Even if you did not like the answer you received, don’t continue with bad manners and create a debate, you can tell your business colleague you think different but keep it very un-confrontational – the question itself is very confrontational! If the person is avoiding the question, let it be.

You will be surprised how much your opinion about a person can change due to his political choices and views. Don’t let those opinions destroy friendships or Business connections. Even if you are surprised by someone’s opinion that is different than yours – don’t mention it and be subtle about making your point.

Back to Israel - Mazal Tov to the re-elected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, I believe that I speak for most of the residents of Israel when I say, that like with any devoted leader - his success is also ours as citizens. Personally, I wish for a more peaceful, more successful Israeli horizon and future.