Weekly Dose of Italian Culture #10
Wow. Come vola il tempo! (How time flies.) Here we are with the tenth edition of Weekly Dose of Italian Culture, your gateway to discovering Italian movies, songs, history, geography, and traditions.
Italian Movie of the Week
My movie pick for this week is Tre uomini e una gamba (Three Men and a Leg) a hilarious classic from 1997.
In this movie, three hardware store workers—who got their jobs thanks to their special others being the daughters of the owner—are sent on a road trip to retrieve a piece of art: a wooden leg. Along the way, they encounter all sorts of problems and shenanigans, including one of them (who is supposed to get married) falling in love with a woman they meet on their journey.
I recommend this movie not only because it’s incredibly funny and still widely quoted to this day but also because it serves as an excellent introduction to the comedic trio Aldo, Giovanni, e Giacomo. These three have created a wealth of entertaining movies, shows, and skits that are well worth exploring.
Italian Song of the Week
My song of the week is Uomini Soli by the Italian group Pooh.
This melancholy ballad reflects on men who find themselves alone and lonely for various reasons. It’s one of the rare songs that deeply empathizes with the male experience.
Here’s a short excerpt from its lyrics:
A volte un uomo è da solo perché ha in testa strani tarli, Sometimes a man is alone because strange thoughts trouble his mind, perché ha paura del sesso o per la smania di successo. because he’s afraid of sex or driven by a thirst for success. Per scrivere il romanzo che ha di dentro, To write the novel he carries within himself, perché la vita l'ha già messo al muro, because life has already backed him into a corner, o perché in un mondo falso è un uomo vero. or because, in a false world, he is a true man.
Famous Italian of the Week
This week’s famous Italian is Francesco Totti, a legendary soccer player widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Italian history.
Totti spent his entire professional career at AS Roma, becoming a symbol of loyalty and passion for the club.
Renowned for his incredible skill, vision, and creativity on the field, Totti helped Roma secure a Serie A title in 2001 and multiple Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana victories.
Beyond his achievements, Totti is beloved for his charisma, humor, and humble personality, making him a legend in Rome and a cultural icon in Italy.
I still remember when I was in middle school, living in the Marche region, and a new principal from Rome told us about a boy he had seen play. He said, “That kid is going to become a star in the future.” He was talking about Totti and he was right.
Geography Fact of the Week
Italy contains two independent countries: Vatican City (in the Lazio region) and San Marino (in the Marche region). Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and San Marino is the 5th smallest country, roughly equivalent to the size of Manhattan, New York City.
There are no routine border checks between Italy and these two states. However, always carry your passport if you plan to visit them, as authorities may request identification.
History Fact of the Week
Did you know that the origins of gelato in Italy can be traced back to Ancient Rome? In fact, at the time snow from mountain tops would be combined with honey and fruit for delicious, refreshing desserts.
The modern gelato is credited to Bernardo Buontalenti, a Florentine artist, who created it for the Medici court in the 16th century.
And while on the topic of gelato, here are some fun facts:
Gelato is made with milk, not cream. So it typically contains 4–9% fat, significantly less than ice cream, which usually has 14–25% fat.
Gelato is served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream, enhancing its flavor and making it softer.
Gelato is churned at a slower speed than ice cream, introducing less air and resulting in a denser and creamier texture.
Authentic Italian gelato typically uses natural, in-season ingredients and shies away from artificial flavors.
Italy has over 37,000 gelaterie (gelato shops), making it a staple of Italian culture.
Italians consume an average of 6.5 kilograms (14.33 lb) of gelato per person annually, one of the highest rates in the world.
Have you ever visited a gelateria in Italy? What’s your favorite flavor?
Italian Custom of the Week
Italy is a remarkably dog-friendly country. While dogs in North America are often treated like family members and “babied,” Italy stands out for the level of acceptance dogs enjoy in everyday society. In many Italian restaurants, dogs are warmly welcomed and in some cases, they’ll even have their own mini-menu.
Even grocery stores will often allow them. Occasionally stores go a step further, offering carts with dividers to keep your dog separate from your groceries (though this is not common yet.)
It’s also not uncommon for deli counters to offer a little meat treat to your dog as you pass by. In Turin, there’s even a bylaw requiring dog owners to walk their dogs at least three times a day, with fines of up to €500 for those who don’t comply.
If you’re planning to visit or move to Italy with your dog, you can feel confident that they will be welcome. Another bonus? Veterinary bills are generally much cheaper than in North America, which is a significant plus.
I hope you enjoyed this 10th edition of Weekly Dose of Italian Culture. A presto! (See you soon!)