Any country other than the one you were born in is going to be different. That's part of the fun of traveling. Adapting and growing flexible in the ways that you live are essential aspects of a successful experience abroad. That doesn't take away from the fact that you might miss Chipotle, dryers and curling irons.
I've compiled a list of some subtle cultural differences I have noticed while living in Italy.
People Here DO:
1. Look Great- always- even if it's to run to the pharmacy-- they look good while doing it. No one and I mean NO ONE wears workout gear if they are not working out. Italian men are so well dressed and groomed that it's slightly intimidating. From the shoes to the hats, these men have STYLE.
2. Talk With Their Hands. The ONLY way to get your point across is to gesture as you do.
3. Talk Loud. Self explanatory. Whispering is not a thing
4. Smoke A LOT And In MANY Places. I learned this in previous trips abroad but it does not lessen my dislike for the persistent haze of cigarette smoke.
5. Drive Tiny Cars. Fiats and Mini Coopers are the norm as are motorcycles and Vespas. It's like an army of adorable and extremely fast cars, wherever you go.
6. Wait In The Street For The Bus. Absolutely NO obeying of traffic laws here
7. Drive Very Fast. I find that drivers actually SPEED up when they see you crossing the street. I'm not kidding- wish I were.
People Here DO NOT:
1. Say Good Morning. There is no simple greeting of passerby's on your morning walk. You stick to yourself and do not acknowledge others
2. Smile At Strangers. In America people smile at each other- not here.
3. Use "To Go" Cups. There is no "to go". You buy a coffee and you sit and drink it at the Cafe, you don't take it with you.
4. Use Microwaves. They are VERY hard to find.
5. Use Dryers. Time to get used to that drying rack.
6. Use Nail Salons. Nowhere in sight sadly.
7. Wait In A Line. This one was a MAJOR surprise- but lines are not a thing here. Because no one obeys the unspoken rules about waiting in a line, most establishments have those divider poles in place in order to FORCE people into a line. When they are absent- it is everyman for himself- trying to get the attention of the store worker in order to pay or order. Definitely fun to watch but not fun to actually do.
These little quirks are really interesting aspects that I have noticed while living abroad.
Yeah I miss my dryer and my microwave- BUT the charm that living abroad has to offer makes up for that.
....the ancient ruins I stumble upon EVERY single day that are so ancient and are somehow STILL intact are breathtaking .
...the elderly Italian men who have lived their entire lives in Rome and STILL look so well dressed, handsome, and dapper WHILE they yell in Italian at each other.
...the people I encounter who politely smile and giggle as I manage to pronounce every single Italian word wrong WHILE simultaneously throwing in some Spanish at them is encouraging.
This city has its quirks and I'm so lucky to get the opportunity to find out what they are. Cultural differences only make living abroad more exciting and they allow you to learn.
