(It's spelled Genady) When we made the Aliah, it was strange at first, but we got used to it :). Speaking of addressing people, some languages (Russian+French) use the plural "You" (אתם) when speaking to seniors/strangers instead of (אתה). But that's probably a problem for English speakers as well.

As I'm not sure how to respond individually to the comments made on this posting I hope it's Ok to send a combined response.

Ayal: you pinpoint exactly the problem of using names. Even within a single language, there are different communities who use names in different ways.  The fascinating thing about language is that it is so dynamkiic. And in order for us to be abl to communicate effectively, we need to be both aware and tolerant: aware that there are different forms to that which we as an individual may use and tolerant of different forms.

The main point I was making for Hebrew speakers of English is that we need to be aware of how what we say is perceived by non- Hebrew speakers. In my post I referred to the misleading impression that might be caused if we introduced ourselves using only our first names ( unless of course we are Madonna or Cher or Maradonna!) But we also need to consider the negative impression (of course mistaken) that is caused among non Hebrew speakers  when  they hear someone 'junior' addressing someone 'senior' by his/her first name. ( and of course I'm not only referring to age differences)

In the final analysis we need to remembetr..when in Rome....

Ghandi: ( I hope I've read your name correctly?) You make a very relevant comment about the use of names in Russian culture. We know they also use different name forms to signal intimacy and even insult. So how many misunderstandings I wonder have occurred among Russina speaking Isrealis? The same is true for Arabic names. In an Asian culture, a businessperson would feel very uncomfortable if his/her American collegaue insisted on being addressed by a first name and would be  very offended if that American collegue used the Asian person's first name. Once again it's a question of  "when in Rome....." The only thing is, we have to remember we're in Rome and not in Tel Aviv!

And last but not least, Karin. It is especially important for a woman to give her full name when introducing herself so you do that very nicely. A man might use the formula "Bond, James Bond"  ( bu never: James, James Bond). However, this pattern doesn't seem to have caught on with women. Women need to be aware that the use of a single first name for self introduction in a business environment could send a very wrong message.  And if any male colleague were to introduce you by your first name only, he would unwittingly be sending a possible 'hidden message:  "She's not really important enough to have a full name"!! Such is the stuff of language in cross cultural communication.

Lola

that is the beauty of the english language.

what israelis do not understand is that english is not similiar to hebrew.

there are many differences, especially in meaning.

in english there is no private name, but there is first name and sur name.

when i am in english speaking countries, i usually introduce myself, by my whole name.

hello, my name is karin aldea, its a pleasure to meet you.

ואגב הבדלים בין תרבותיים - ברוסית מקובל בסיטואציות מסויימות לפנות לאדם מכובד (או לדבר על מישהו כזה) בשמו הפרטי בצירוף שם האב. למשל את Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin אפשר לפעמים לקצר ל-Alexander Sergeyevich  ולא ל-Alexander Pushkin.

בהוויה הישראלית יש ניואנסים מאד מיוחדים בקשר לשמות.

בילדותי בבית הכרם בירושלים קראו לחלק מהילדים בכתה

בשמם הכולל שם פרטי ושם משפחה : גדיגולדשטיין, זה מופיע

בספר הדקדוק הפנימי של דויד גרוסמן שגדל בשכונה.

בצבא שבו מתקבעים בישראל מוסכמות זה גם קיים. ובעקר

קיימת התופעה שבה קוראים בשם המשפחה כדי לפעמים

לטשטש את הזהות האישית. הגעת ליחידה מגובשת שבה אין

משמעות לשם שקראו לך עד היום בבית ואנחנו נקרא לך "וסרשטיין!"

ולא גילי כמו שקראו לך עד עכשיו. כך שתרבותית גם לישראלי קשה

לזהות מתי עדיף לפנות בשם פרטי משפחה או שניהם.

The interesting thing Ari is: What "message" is a Hebrew speaker conveying when he calls you by your last name? You 'hear' it as rude. He may just intend it as being friendly. Next time it happens perhaps you want to check it out. What a waste of energy if you

get upset when in fact nothing offensive was intended

This is the sort of misunderstanding I was referring to in this post. 

Lola Hi

I can really realte to this specially when people in Israel call me by my surname,  they say and i always feel /: wow thats so rude given that i am הלו גרינבלט

blessed with a first name, and for someone to address you by ones last name

is a great way of making feel that they are really upset with me to be doing that 

אני שומע את מה שאת אומרת ומתכוונת

i hear what you are saying

I also se that this is a gerat place for getting frustrated tying in english and in hebrew :-)