Since living and enjoying Italy I have noticed somethings that are different from my life I grew up knowing in the States. I am not going to say these things are bad or even wrong they are just somethings I have come to observe while living in Milan. Some are things I have witnessed myself and some are things others have witnessed and have told me about causing me to also notice them. To be honest sometimes these observations are things that really annoy me about Italy because they are just so different to me but at the end of the day they are the very things that make me love Italy. So here are some of my observations and thoughts.
1. Italians dress for the season not the weather
This I will never understand as long as I live. If it is warm outside wear something that will keep you cool and if it is cold outside wear something that will keep you warm. Nope not for Italians. In Italy the seasons are such Winter is from October to March, Spring is from April to June and Summer is July to September. So if it happens to be a little warm one day in March and you show your legs or arms, Italians will look at you like you have murdered a small animal because they are still wearing they’re winter jackets and scarves. At this point I have accepted I am foreign and will always stand out because lord knows I could never wear a winter jacket and a scarf in March.
2. Time is just a number on a clock
Italians are notorious for their tardiness but what I never understand is their schedules for public transportation, appointments or even shops. I can never win with time here. Public transportation says it is arriving on time but still shows up 5-10 minutes late. I have an appointment at 1pm but the person I have the appointment with doesn’t even show up until 1.30pm. Stores have a time table on their windows but are never open at those actual times. I know this is also a regional thing but I feel like I always have the worst luck. This way of life has turned my punctual self into an always 5 minutes late person and I won’t lie it has helped me while living here.
3.Anything and everything will make you ill
Wet hair? You will get sick. You’re not wearing socks in the house? You will get sick. You’re not wearing your winter jacket in March? You will get sick. I love the Italians for taking an interest in my health and not wanting me to become sick but I feel like everything I do will eventually make me sick. Why not live a little? This one still makes me giggle but I love they show such an interest.
4.Lunch and Dinner are important
I love breakfast and I would eat it all day if I could. Italians don’t do breakfast, their idea of breakfast is a coffee and a croissant or in general anything sweet. I love that I can have sweets for breakfast here and it is not frowned upon (hint hint mother) but I miss having a big breakfast where you spend time with your family or friends and contemplate your plans of the day. Italians would skip breakfast if they could but lunch and dinner do not even think it! Italy shuts down for lunch. Lunch is when you spend time with your friends or family and spend hours eating. I always get strange looks for eating on the go. Food is to be enjoyed not to be walked around with. Also dinner takes hours and has many courses. I am still in awe how healthy Italians are considering how much they eat at dinner. Also don’t forget dessert. Must have dessert after every meal or else the meal did not finish.
5.Staring is polite
I have noticed there is a staring culture in Italy. It’s not rude and they are not doing it to make you uncomfortable, even though it totally makes you feel that way, they simply just tend to look at people longer than what is considered normal in the States. I once read in an article to pretend that I am a celebrity and that’s why they are staring so much. Honestly I just make a game out of it and take it as a compliment to make myself more comfortable. Staring is just a thing and after a few bites of pasta or gelato you'll hardly remember there are people staring at you.
6. Hands speak on their own
Ever learn sign language? Well Italians have their own sign language that they use all the time! I don’t think I have had one conversation where hand signals were not involved. I am starting to become guilty of this habit as well (not that I am upset about!). These hand signals can mean anything from this is delicious to what did you say. Italian’s hand signals make for a lively and interesting conversation and is honestly one of my favorite parts about speaking Italian. I mean how else can you emphasize a point or have a secret conversation without even talking?!
7. What is a line and the art of pushing
Italians do not form lines or anything close to a line. They form blobs that everyone tries to push through. I mean this for everything not just for the last spot or ticket for an important event. At the subway, the café, the police station, you name a place and I guarantee there are no lines there are just blobs. Today I had to push my way through at the police station to pick up an important document, and I don’t mean nudge, I mean I threw elbows at ladies, there is no shame in my blob game. This is something that always blows my mind because in the States if this happens there are dirty looks and possibly some words that are exchanged but here no one even gives you a second look if you nudge a little, it’s just expected.
8. Art and history
Something I really appreciate since I have been here is the pride Italians take in the history and the art they offer. I mean every first Sunday of the month majority of museums are free to the public and not in just one place, all of Italy! They want everyone to enjoy culture and I love observing how many families take advantage of this. On the weekends there usually isn’t a museum that is not full of people and that makes my heart happy because I am nerd and like to see other people enjoy things I enjoy.
9. So many bags
I like to carry one bag with me at all times. Whether this be a purse, my backpack or even my wallet I only have one bag. Even if I have a lot of things to carry I will try my best to only take one bag. Well not Italians. I don’t know if it’s because they want to recycle and help the planet or if they just like to show off labels (I’m pretty sure it’s the labels one) but Italians love to carry multiple bags. Everyone has their main bag or purse then these old shopping bags. Whatever is not worthy of the main bag goes in the shopping bags. Think things like lunch or important work things they go in separate bags. Every bag is saved from shopping trips and is reused until gifted unto someone else. Personally I like to think they are recycling to save the planet because let me tell you not one bag is ever in the trash.
10. North vs. South
Italians are territorial. The North doesn’t like the South and the South does not like the North and trust me you can tell a difference. If you can’t tell at first from their dialect or accent, then you can tell by their mannerisms. I can’t hate on either part of Italy because I love all of Italy equally but it is so interesting to hear people from the North talk about the South and people from the South talk about the North. At times it makes me laugh because compared to the States Italy is much smaller and yet there are large differences in how Italians view each part of Italy.
So those are just some of my observations of Italy and Italians. If you have visited or lived in Italy and have some other observations to add to the list, please let me know! I would love to hear some other points of views or stories.