Lessons I've learned from ITALIANS

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

My Dad is Greek and has only ever eaten his native Mediterranean diet: lots of fish and fresh vegetables, salads everyday, a little fruit or yogurt, and one slice of bread (sourdough, it’s the only sugar-free bread still around) per meal, not more. He’s 6ft. and fit and very slender, around 145 lbs., and takes no medication. He’s also an amazing 93 years old and as sharp as ever! He has no health problems whatsoever and is still active. He doesn’t drink alcohol, either, just lots of water. We should all live such long, healthy lives. He firmly endorses the Ancient Greek philosophy: moderation in everything.

[@ecochicmuse6918]

I'm an italian teacher and it's so nice to hear someone talking about us in such a respectful way. I see myself in what you say... We are VERY much interested in the fact that our students are able to speak properly and eloquently and we start training them to do so in primary school and some times even earlier than that! I've studied in scotland for one year and I was shocked to find out they didn't have to speak to pass their university exams!

[@teresanash-mcneil-hf1fo]

I love the Italian way of life and all things Italian, such panache, assertiveness, it’s wonderful. ❤

[@M3l155a]

I’m engaged to an Italian man and everything you said is 100% true. There’s no hill an Italian won’t die on LOL but they are some of the most passionate people you’ll ever meet.

[@GiuliaC.Caputo]

Point 1 and 5 - We invented Opera to be the loudest of the audience no matter what 😂 Point 4 - At lunch/ dinner with friends we eat food and talk about food we’ve eaten/ we’ll eat in another circumstance just to compare it with the current meal 😂

[@MarianaZelenjuk]

Omg yes!!! The talking about food while eating food is such a thing! 😂

[@kathleenkalt3852]

My husband (American) worked in Torino for a year and I was able to spend a lot of time there. Your observations are the same as mine. We made friends with a family from the Milan area. The wife was a teacher. I was a teacher in America. The education system in our friends' small town was far superior to any I was familiar with in the U.S. and I lived in towns with school systems that were considered excellent. Most of the Italian Americans I know have similar values and characteristics to those you described. I was also raised to be "quiet" and it's very unnerving to be around a different culture at first. If I could live anywhere, it would be Italy. Wonderful culture.

[@HLB512]

What would you say were the differences between the American and Italian schools? I've always been interested in the way some of the western european countries educate their kids.

[@virginiaboone9503]

Bright blue is definitely your color!

[@dawngiello6321]

That's why they call us hot blooded Italians, haha. Great video. And best way to eat to live long, happy, healthy life. Andiamo!

[@MarianaZelenjuk]

Bravissima Dawn!

[@hollystiener16]

That is more in the South. I don't find it this way in Milan at all.

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

It sounds like I would love Italians, reading for pleasure and continuous learning, especially of history, have been cornerstones of my life. Most Americans watch TV instead, I suppose, but I never found it nearly as engaging as reading, especially reading something new and challenging. Reading is such a great way to stop stress, one can only concentrate on one thing at a time and it’s better to read than to worry. I bought a fancy new TV for visitors (they complained that there wasn’t one) about five years ago, but never got around to setting it up, so I just gave it away to a recent immigrant who really wanted one - making both of us happy! Most recently of my regular visitors stayed home during the pandemic, anyway.

[@sailorgirl2017]

My family comes from the Dolomites, but I was born and raised in Canada. I chuckled over your descriptions of Italians and had my husband come in to listen - He recognized my traits immediately and said, "It all makes sense now.". LOL. I need to be amongst my people!! Thank you for another fantastic video!

[@iiiii575]

I love how you gently described the cultural differences and not only your open mind to acknowledge them but your open heart to embrace it. Here in Germany sometimes I meet some italian Entrepreneurs that own some shop around and they are the kindest and happily spirited people. They engage in conversations, share about how they experience Germany in a very sincere but fond way. I like them so so much!

[@agataczajkowski1096]

We always hear about French fashion and lifestyle and you gave us excellent example of another great culture. I remember as a small kid going for a camping trip to Hungry, next to us were 2 camp sides, one was German and second was Italian family. The German family return from site seeing early, had their dinner and went to sleep in order to be up very early next day. Italians very loud, lounging and visiting to the late hours and sleeping in in the morning. It was almost caricature vision of the different cultures but so funny to watch. Anything you say in Italian language sounds like music, even if is fighting loudly on the street. Of topic but your makeup and colour of the sweater with light background was spot on in this video.

[@janeonthecoast4920]

Yes my Sicilian hub is not taking any BS. Ever. He cannot eat processed food. Needs fresh seasonal produce and fish, fish, fish or he will wither away😂Will always defend his point of view yet is the most polite and helpful guy i ever met. Talks a lot and loudly on phone of course.

[@its_christina]

Every video in your channel is full of interesting content! I come from Greece. I've never been to Italy but I know some Italians, who live in my town and had many conversations with them. Everything you say is so true! It also made me wonder why haven't I moved there yet 😂 generally Italians and Greeks are considered to be really close and similar since antiquity. Unfortunately for us, I must admit we lost some of those great elements Italians are still holding on to. But what can I say? I have faith in our generation. Thanks for sharing your experience with us! Keep up the good work Mariana!

[@mina_ophelia.Moonbeam]

Thank you so much for your kind words. 😘

[@susanp2349]

wow. could you be any more beautiful???? That blue sweater and your hair and make up are perfection. i'm a 72 year old grandma and just returned from rome and saw the most beautiful people, but by far, you are stunning, my dear.

[@MarianaZelenjuk]

Oh Susan, that’s too kind! Thank you!

[@susanp2349]

@@MarianaZelenjuk can you please let me know the bronzing glow on your cheeks?

[@MarianaZelenjuk]

It’s a bit of a mix Susan 😂 I think the glow comes from the highlighter and primer and the bronzed effect from Guerlain’s Terracotta. I’ve linked everything in the description box of the video 😉

[@katherinebaer6798]

This was an extremely interesting and insightful video. Thank you!

[@heatherhull1009]

Really enjoyed this! Your 'Princess Diaries' comment made me laugh out loud!

[@jeanettekays1954]

You make me wang to visit Italy. It sounds so appealing.

[@Helen-vb3nh]

Never change Mariana, you’re a true lady!

[@stacydill1486]

I am Italian-American and grew up in Texas. My grandparents were Sicilian, born in coastal villages near Palermo. My sister married a young man from Brazil! My niece looks quite a bit like you. I am very familiar with that healthy Mediterranean diet of which you speak. Also, the assertiveness! My father could carry a room! My aunt was very charismatic… I think the word charisma is very appropriate! Enjoy your channel and adore Milan!

[@HLB512]

I really enjoyed this video. I've always wanted to see Italy. Rome, Tuscany, the Amalfi coast, Florence....ok just all of it lol Maybe that's why Italians are so confident, they were trained to speak well because of the oral exams in school. You could also do some more videos about life in Italy

[@TaylorJohnson1]

I notice that the Americas have a very "zero-sum" way of eating. I want to be wholistic like the Italians. My friend went on a two week vacation and ate all day everyday, but lost 6 lbs. Magical.

[@williamkazak469]

Very interesting discussion. I knew that Italians really know quality cloth but I certainly did not know that they have a great educational system. My own high school,in Illinois, had a lot of Italians. The students were all born here. I certainly noticed the beautiful Italian girls. I got to talk with one who I admired back then when we were young. I told her that I noticed her back then and that I admired her beauty. She had a husband, who I met at the reunion. She had a son at home that she hoped would get married some day. Very interesting high school reunion. She was the one I was most anxious to see there. Thank you for this video. You have an interesting way of presenting this subject. In the USA we have Toastmasters. They are local gathering clubs where we learn how to give speeches, how to express ourselves informally as well as from the speakers platform. I highly recommend Toastmasters.

[@simplymilla]

It almost sounds like a declaration of love 😊

[@MarianaZelenjuk]

Call me romantic Milla 😊

[@ceregirl5852]

I lived in Sicily for four years and I observed all of these qualities. Italy is exquisite!

[@zsuzsannamolnar5599]

I enjoy your frank style of presenting your arguments, could this be also be a product of Italian influence? 😊 Regarding the point on fashion consciousness,could you share with us some of the fashion knowledge that is commonly known among Italians but may be new information to the not-so-lucky outsiders?😅 I suppose you have been doing it in your videos here and there, but a dedicated video would be so educational!ť

[@karmen977]

Hi Mariana, love this topic and this kind of content. Also I wanted to compliment your make up, this eye shadow shade and the lip color suits you amazing, makes you look fresh and coloful although it's just one color. Love love your whole style in this vid. Sending love from Croatia 💕

[@MarianaZelenjuk]

Thank you, Karmen! I’m glad you liked the video 😊

[@ninahartley1983]

Where is your blue top/outfit from? It is a beautiful color.

[@dianneriordan9191]

Thanks for this insightful and entertaining video! My grandparents were Italian immigrants to the USA and most of what you said rings true of my experience with them. It’s a wonderful culture, not perfect, but full of enthusiasm and energy and appreciation for beauty all around us.

[@MarianaZelenjuk]

It’s such a unique and rich culture… I love it!

[@Maha88815]

I love love your content. So thought out and precise. Would you please share some books on these topics. I love to read books on European esthetics.

[@denisececil8762]

You did you such a good job with this.

[@CocoB22]

Thank you so much for this unique and thoughtful presentation - this is me - living a completely misunderstood life in another country. ❤. I live these principles every day. 24/7. But I am not the “stereotypical”. Italian. But these as you pointed out are more of the Northern traits. And I am from the north of Italy.

[@Mamaki1987]

That is interesting. Doesn't Brazil have seasons? Or are they hardly noticiable? I mean because you said in Italy (and other countries in Europe as well) it is quite normal to eat seasonal vegetable and fruit. Also the blue sweater looks so pretty on you.

[@MarianaZelenjuk]

Brazil is basically hot all year looooong 😅

[@ceregirl5852]

The Spanish are very similar.

[@fleurdixoncoote]

I think the Italians (and the Spanish) dress sooo much better than the French. There. I’ve said it.

[@MarianaZelenjuk]

Fleur dropping truth bombs in the comment section 😂

[@fleurdixoncoote]

@@MarianaZelenjuk 🙊

[@hollystiener16]

I am an American living in Milan and I cannot agree with several of what your points. I don't find them loud at all. I feel they are quite calm, reserved, polite. I don't see them fighting back either. They are much more likely not to fight or argue. My friends all eat pasta, pizza, meat all of the time. Fish is hard to come by in restaurants. It also is not common to eat the mediterranean diet in Milan. Maybe it is just the people that I know or maybe we live in different universes of Milan lol

[@janeonthecoast4920]

Maybe she is talking about Italians in general? Sure there are plenty of meat eating Italians but all my own Italian family eat a diet with a lot of fish -not so much meat - we do eat pizza sometimes and pasta ! But there will always be a salad too and fruit..or the pasta sauce will be fresh tomato... Just seems more balanced compared to my English family's diet.

[@hollystiener16]

@@janeonthecoast4920 Yes, I agree. It is more of a Southern Italy thing. Milan is different. They eat tons of meat and cheese plates here. That is mostly what everyone gets for an appetizer, a charcuterie and then there is always meat with sauce. There is cheese in basically every dish that you order. Ham is very big because we are close to Parma. Then if you go out for an aperitivo, like a happy hour, they always give you free bites, which are made up of little pizzas, chips, mini sandwiches, and occasionally veggies. Buffets at aperitivo is also very big here, which comprised of more of the same. I hang out with people in their 20's, 30's, and 40's. I also see what is on menus and what people order in the restaurants.

[@ramandeepgill4075]

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[@luloops]

I married a 1st generation Italian and even he has many of these traits. I have learned to be more assertive...I had no choice. lol

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

In contrast, we Americans, or most of us, are obsessed about getting dirt-cheap prices on their wardrobe items. The Internet is full of titles like “Jeans for $8”! I’m more obsessed with getting high-quality items, especially in fabrics and materials. When items are as cheap as $4 t-shirts, I know the garment workers and likely the environment have been exploited, too. I just can’t be ok with that. I’m willing to pay for fair worker wages and conditions, environmentally friendly manufacturing and high-quality materials and workmanship. Ignoring any of these compromises my values. I’m not exactly well off, but I buy fewer things, but better ones, reflecting the consumer choices I can live with. I’m not sure how these unrealistically low prices came to dominate all other preference factors, it wasn’t that way when I was a young woman in my 20s-30s (80s-90s). We just didn’t buy so much all the time! We happily wore our clothes many times over, for years, without wanting “just a change”. I think it must have been the mega-rise of fast-fashion beginning around Y2K that changed our purchasing habits. Age 63.

[@ramandeepgill4075]

North Americans really needs to learn from Italians about not leaving food on their plates!

[@valentinai.7130]

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