By the time I got to #4, my thinking was "yes, all good points. But that's it." Then the next one was right, and the next. The lack of food diversity is real, but it isn't relevant here in Rome. With most of these valid points I find I just get used to it and don't think about it.
Your #9 particularly made me laugh. There is no direct air connection from Rome to central Florida, where I go to visit family. And so I always have a connection somewhere -- usually Atlanta or New York -- and it always makes me realize I'm heading home to Italy when I see how much chaos there is around the gate!
Thank you for the shoutout on my "dietrologia" post!
I’ve been retired in Rome for 12 years. It’s a completely different experience than anyone trying to make ends meet. No worries about salary, privileged status, taxes on wages. My experience with bureaucracy hasn’t even been that bad. I read your blog a bit like an outsider, one with a wry smile for having the lifestyle that I do.
It seemed to me like you were describing Brazil, every single point. At least, the bureaucracy has decreased since the COVID 19 pandemics. The government has cut a lot of red tape and digitalized most of processes. The rest nine points are the same....ehehehehe (maybe I am laughing nervously...)
I adore Italy; the Ferrari tyre slashing instinct is absolutely the right one imho. But there is one thing about Italy I cannot fathom: the privatisation of the nation’s coastline. The fact that in most cases, you have to pay some company or often just some dude to go sit on the beach. Pure rent-seeking. Apparently a fascist-era hangover and not unsurprisingly massively linked to organised crime. I don’t know how people stand for it!
I voluntarily moved to Rome 6 years ago. One of the best decisions in my life. While I agree with nine of your points, I don't understand why you see Italians as envious. Maybe because I have spent 30 years in Austria and have been hated for my success, same as my daughter for her school success and travels she made with her family. I find all the Italians I have met so far surprisingly enthusiastic about my achievements. It could be the newcomer's bonus or just the fact that I have lived in other countries beyond Italy, Canada and USA. I am sure you have a valid pioint, hope to never have to agree on this one however.
Banca, do you live in Barcelona or Madrid? Because I can tell you that here in Galicia, food diversity means choosing between (usually excellent) Galician seafood or (usually excellent) Galician meat. It's wonderful if you're on holiday but sadly it can start to get tedious when you live here.
There is almost no difference between social conditions in Italy and Spain except the migrant crisis. Spain needs to study Italy to see where not to go with this.
Lack of food diversity? Seriously? I’m reminded of some American friends who wondered why they couldn’t find Chilean or Australian wines in Spain. My response was “Why would you want to? You’re living in a country with a huge diversity of its own wines.” Same point.
The remedy for lawlessness, including the mafia, is radical transparency on the part of the government. But, since we don’t demand that of our governments - in any country - we humans are stuck, endlessly repeating complaints.
"Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it."
Remembering Catania some five decades ago, the local Mafiosi actually brought a measure of law and order to the zones they controlled. When street crime went off the charts, they removed the problem. It was better to pay the "bustarella" to the local bagman that income and business taxes to the Italian state that did nothing. When the state fails to fulfill its part of the basic social contract, organized crime flourishes.
#1 and #9 feel like the disease and the antibody (though not a particularly healthy one). So much mental energy goes into figuring out how far a rule bends, which part is actually enforced, and where the usable gaps are. That skill can be survival or opportunism. Often both.
By the time I got to #4, my thinking was "yes, all good points. But that's it." Then the next one was right, and the next. The lack of food diversity is real, but it isn't relevant here in Rome. With most of these valid points I find I just get used to it and don't think about it.
Your #9 particularly made me laugh. There is no direct air connection from Rome to central Florida, where I go to visit family. And so I always have a connection somewhere -- usually Atlanta or New York -- and it always makes me realize I'm heading home to Italy when I see how much chaos there is around the gate!
Thank you for the shoutout on my "dietrologia" post!
I’ve been retired in Rome for 12 years. It’s a completely different experience than anyone trying to make ends meet. No worries about salary, privileged status, taxes on wages. My experience with bureaucracy hasn’t even been that bad. I read your blog a bit like an outsider, one with a wry smile for having the lifestyle that I do.
It seemed to me like you were describing Brazil, every single point. At least, the bureaucracy has decreased since the COVID 19 pandemics. The government has cut a lot of red tape and digitalized most of processes. The rest nine points are the same....ehehehehe (maybe I am laughing nervously...)
Spot on. I was laughing out loud in empathy on #1. So triggering
I agree with all except #7: everyone complains in every part of the world :)
you make me give up my idea of studying in an Italian university in the future 😭
Make sure your read the positive article too.
I adore Italy; the Ferrari tyre slashing instinct is absolutely the right one imho. But there is one thing about Italy I cannot fathom: the privatisation of the nation’s coastline. The fact that in most cases, you have to pay some company or often just some dude to go sit on the beach. Pure rent-seeking. Apparently a fascist-era hangover and not unsurprisingly massively linked to organised crime. I don’t know how people stand for it!
I voluntarily moved to Rome 6 years ago. One of the best decisions in my life. While I agree with nine of your points, I don't understand why you see Italians as envious. Maybe because I have spent 30 years in Austria and have been hated for my success, same as my daughter for her school success and travels she made with her family. I find all the Italians I have met so far surprisingly enthusiastic about my achievements. It could be the newcomer's bonus or just the fact that I have lived in other countries beyond Italy, Canada and USA. I am sure you have a valid pioint, hope to never have to agree on this one however.
Tutto vero!
Concordo su stipendi e burocrazia. Il resto un po' stereotipato 😉
Brilliant article! You are so spot on!
The Italians are very similar to the Spanish except Spain is now excelling at food diversity!
Banca, do you live in Barcelona or Madrid? Because I can tell you that here in Galicia, food diversity means choosing between (usually excellent) Galician seafood or (usually excellent) Galician meat. It's wonderful if you're on holiday but sadly it can start to get tedious when you live here.
Sorry, your name was autocorrected to incorrect.
There is almost no difference between social conditions in Italy and Spain except the migrant crisis. Spain needs to study Italy to see where not to go with this.
Lack of food diversity? Seriously? I’m reminded of some American friends who wondered why they couldn’t find Chilean or Australian wines in Spain. My response was “Why would you want to? You’re living in a country with a huge diversity of its own wines.” Same point.
Look, I love the variety of Italian options, but sometimes I just want a good Aloo mutter. 😅
Whatever that is 😂
I can’t wait to be in Italy long enough to get sick of the food ❤️
The remedy for lawlessness, including the mafia, is radical transparency on the part of the government. But, since we don’t demand that of our governments - in any country - we humans are stuck, endlessly repeating complaints.
"Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it."
Remembering Catania some five decades ago, the local Mafiosi actually brought a measure of law and order to the zones they controlled. When street crime went off the charts, they removed the problem. It was better to pay the "bustarella" to the local bagman that income and business taxes to the Italian state that did nothing. When the state fails to fulfill its part of the basic social contract, organized crime flourishes.
#1 and #9 feel like the disease and the antibody (though not a particularly healthy one). So much mental energy goes into figuring out how far a rule bends, which part is actually enforced, and where the usable gaps are. That skill can be survival or opportunism. Often both.