(I would say Italy, but I have not traveled far enough to give an accurate description)…
1. It is customary for the customer to acknowledge their presence upon entering and leaving a store. A simple “Ciao” or more formal “Buongiorno/Sera” is acceptable, but it is rude not to say anything to the employees in the store.
2. It is against the law to be loud after 10pm. Italians are very respectful of this law…the American college students, not so much.
3. American college students have a pretty bad reputation for getting drunk in public and acting like idiots.
4. The favorite sport in Italy is surprisingly not soccer. It is women. Every female has “the softest hair I have ever seen…the most beautiful smile…the prettiest eyes…the most blah blah blah bullshit.” It is a game Italian men play to get women to notice them. Technically it is a game everyone all over the world plays, male and female, but the Italian men have glorified this game. Although, I have heard it is getting better because the younger generations are disgusted by their fathers for behaving this way and choose not to repeat the same behavior. (It really isn’t that bad being called “Bella” a few times a day.)
5. Everyone has a dog. Florentines are always walking their dogs and letting them pee in the middle of the sidewalk. When you see a wet spot on the sidewalk you know exactly what it is, and know to avoid stepping in it.
6. Everyone smokes cigarettes. This I am pretty sure is an Italian thing.
7. Italians really do talk with their hands. I love watching Italians in the middle of an intense conversation, their hands are everywhere.
So, I love the way people are expected to announce their presence in a store! So much more people oriented and friendly than expecting a bell on the door to announce your presence!
ReplyDeleteI also like the idea of settling down on the noise after 10pm.
I'm sorry that American college students have created a negative view of themselves!
I sort of knew about the favorite sport of Italy being women, but I am surprised (and a little pleased) to read that the younger generations do not find this sport interesting or engaging; although, I'm sure it is WONDERFUL to be told at least a few times a day that you are beautiful!
The dog thing is bizarre. Do they pick up their dog's poop, like they do here in cities?
The cigarette thing, I think, is a European thing, too. I remember both Jesse and Michael mentioning it about Germany, journalists mentioning it about France, and Robin said Eric mentioned it about China. How weird, huh!
I always wondered if hand-talking really happened or if it was an American perception. I'm glad to know that it's real! Hey! That would be a great idea for a video; an intense Italian conversation! Although, it might be considered rude to video-ize people you don't know...and then upload the video without the people's permission!
They are pretty good about picking up the poop, but every now and then there are piles on the sidewalk. I was thinking about getting a video...I'll see if I can be inconspicuous about it. Cigarettes must be a European thing, from what I have heard too. It can sometimes be annoying when I am eating outside, but I am getting used to it.
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