Well, that's not the faliure of Italy. Travelling with a British-centric idea how people should be in their own country is ridiculous. Italy doesn't need people with that attitude. I'm English and I've learned how to "be like a calabrian" - not just out of respect but for survival. I refuse to leave. Studying anthropology helped me prepare for the "otherness" but to be honest the british made me feel foreign in my own country so otherness is familiar.
I live in Italy and am very happy. I learned the language, learning more every day. But I see expats who seemed to have thought that Italians would speak English with an Italian accent like they do in their home country. Yes, the food, beauty, art are great but it's the people and lifestyle that make the difference. If you want the same things, schedule, etc of your home country, then stay. I would expect this family will have quite a shock if they move the US, common language, but not a very welcoming, safe, or healthy environment, especially these day.
I am Yugoslav, and I’ve been living in Italy since 1992. My mother tongue is completely different — it has Slavic roots. Fortunately, I studied Latin in high school and used it during my medical studies, so I had no problems starting to speak Italian after just ten days.
Let’s say that my Christian cultural heritage is not far from the Italian one, though it’s not exactly the same. I easily adapted to Italian habits and culture. I’m not Catholic, but it doesn’t bother me to have Catholic friends who go to church. We are all free to do what we like.
I never expected to live in Italy and have the same habits, cuisine, religion, or language as in the former Yugoslavia. I must admit that if I were to return to the place where I was born — after the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the creation of the new small states — I wouldn’t feel comfortable there either. So, Italy is my final destination.
As the Italians say, I always look for the half-full glass, not the half-empty one. A positive attitude!
Well... I would not move to Spain without understanding Spanish... would you? And surely I would not blame them for not speaking Italian or English with me :)
Well, that's not the faliure of Italy. Travelling with a British-centric idea how people should be in their own country is ridiculous. Italy doesn't need people with that attitude. I'm English and I've learned how to "be like a calabrian" - not just out of respect but for survival. I refuse to leave. Studying anthropology helped me prepare for the "otherness" but to be honest the british made me feel foreign in my own country so otherness is familiar.
thank you for sharing!
I live in Italy and am very happy. I learned the language, learning more every day. But I see expats who seemed to have thought that Italians would speak English with an Italian accent like they do in their home country. Yes, the food, beauty, art are great but it's the people and lifestyle that make the difference. If you want the same things, schedule, etc of your home country, then stay. I would expect this family will have quite a shock if they move the US, common language, but not a very welcoming, safe, or healthy environment, especially these day.
I am Yugoslav, and I’ve been living in Italy since 1992. My mother tongue is completely different — it has Slavic roots. Fortunately, I studied Latin in high school and used it during my medical studies, so I had no problems starting to speak Italian after just ten days.
Let’s say that my Christian cultural heritage is not far from the Italian one, though it’s not exactly the same. I easily adapted to Italian habits and culture. I’m not Catholic, but it doesn’t bother me to have Catholic friends who go to church. We are all free to do what we like.
I never expected to live in Italy and have the same habits, cuisine, religion, or language as in the former Yugoslavia. I must admit that if I were to return to the place where I was born — after the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the creation of the new small states — I wouldn’t feel comfortable there either. So, Italy is my final destination.
As the Italians say, I always look for the half-full glass, not the half-empty one. A positive attitude!
Thanks for reading!
thank you for your contribution
If you are on any of the Reddit threads you know how true this is. Also for places like Spain and Portugal.
Well... I would not move to Spain without understanding Spanish... would you? And surely I would not blame them for not speaking Italian or English with me :)