Things Italians do that blow my mind

[@user-xo9pz7fd3j]

Sincere, frank and truthful comments, I watch your videos and I find them very interesting. If I may, and it is personal experience, I have always noticed a certain difficulty in adapting to the Italian way of doing and seeing things by Anglo-Saxon people. First of all I would like to say that Italy is an incredibly varied country. You can go from the Germans of Alto Adige to the almost Arabs in Sicily. But the point that I find common to most Anglo-Saxons is having difficulty understanding that the way of doing and being of Italians is the result of thousands of years of history and encounters with countless peoples, races, customs and habits etc. If a person from any part of the world decides to live in Italy, it does not matter if it is north, center or south, they must start from a vital assumption: it will be you who will have to adapt to the way of being, thinking and doing of Italians, the result of thousands of years of history, it will never be Italy that will change to adapt to you

[@MsBritaly]

Absolutely and this is something that I have always stressed on my channel - you have to be ready to adapt if you plan to live in Italy for Italy won't adapt to you (and nor should it).

[@Opplarcamadonna]

"Pazienza", more than an excuse, is a way of saying:"I don't give a damn"😅

[@FulvioGa]

1) Long goodbye: otherwise the hosts would think that you did not like your staying and you were looking forward to go away. 2) Pazienza: you consider the overall situation, not the particular issue. 3) Abusive valet: this is how Italian people are, you cannot change that in a short time, but things slowly improve. 4) Reluctance to taste foreign food: if we do not have it in our cucine than likely it is not so good, perhaps disgusting. I am like that. 5) Tolerating situations: like point 3).

[@MsBritaly]

Thanks for sharing your insights!

[@marcocap960]

Pazienza is a polite way to say I dont give a fuck

[@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele]

If you live in Palermo... you got the way of living of Sicilian people... the "pazienza" thing is definitely NOT a thing here in the North.

[@lorenzom7237]

Things Sicilians do .. From the south of Sicily to the north of Italy is the same distance that from north Italy to Denmark or Sweden. Cheers.

[@MsBritaly]

Indeed I hear this A LOT

[@jamesmillard6483]

As a brit living in Italy (mainly south) for last 30 years totally agree with everthing you say. N.B please pronounce paZienza properly. Hopefully you don't pronounce piZZa like pisa!

[@MsBritaly]

It's funny because comments like this used to bother me and make me not want to speak for fear of sounding stupid. Now I take the learnings and work to become better - Piano, piano 😂

[@federicomezzina5784]

You hit the spot with the patience and reluctance: unfortunately, this terrible attitude prevents Italian society from developing, and it was one of the main reasons that prompted me to leave Italy 20 years ago.

[@MsBritaly]

It's a shame because there is beauty in this concept but sadly it is used almost as a form of defeat in many cases.

[@ivanrumanek]

The same is in Slovakia1 Feels as if you were talking about Slovak good-bye. On the other hand, you over in Britain have longer "Hi" situations: you can´t just say "Hi" and go on, you must add "How are you", which might yield a longer event... In Slovakia (and I don´t know if this holds for Italy too) we just say "Dobrý deň" or "Ahoj" (Good morning / Hello) and continue our track without enlarging the conversation.

[@MsBritaly]

Ahahha yes, we have to be overly polite! 😂

[@lmusima3275]

Italian friends I know here in London and in various parts of Italy 🇮🇹 are fascinated with English food, fish n chips at the pub, typical dishes from other countries like Indian, Thai, Chinese, Lebanese and other places. It’s true Italians are so tied to their own dishes

[@403000]

I grown up in north Italy and I lived in south Italy for some years. I perfectly understand what you mentioned. I also faced this type of mentality which is mostly developed in south, some of ‘topics’ are found only in south. You chose to stay in Sicily … well, that’s the south. It’s single package with everything in it, good things but also bad things. I tried to fight this attitude, I wasted my time. You cannot win. The key is to conduct your life using your pragmatic approach, as you mentioned, without pretending to change the world. Make your life easy, be tolerant with you and the others otherwise you'll be always be angry. And that’s is a pity

[@antoniopannuti2088]

About the long goodbye. It’s true! We all behave like we have separation anxiety 😂😂😂

[@MsBritaly]

It's a drawn out process for sure! 😂

[@viccc6430]

as a shy person I have always felt discomfort in the long goodbye, and it hurt me seeing disappointment in people's eyes, so it was a relieved when I found out this isn't a thing in the anglosphere

[@MsBritaly]

Yes, we say goodbye not running out of the door but also not taking 20 hours!

[@bnblibertà]

You are very funny and very sincere. We need an antropologic study to answer all this things...

[@vincenzofaulisi8367]

Grazie. i am living in London and I come from Salerno . i understand everything you say. It has been a long time i don't live any more there but it looks like nothing has changed. Grazie Vincenzo.

[@MsBritaly]

Ah you did the opposite to me!

[@rocketbird1]

A shame that people aren't focusing on issue 5, which is the most important one. I come from Southern Italy and moved to France, and the difference of treatment as a software engineer is day and night

[@Avalk]

7:30 you pay because otherwise they smash your car or smth, it’s basic crime

[@MsBritaly]

It's terrible really

[@lynnsawatzky3272]

Haha - the long goodbye for my southern Italian husband takes about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes… (I’m Canadian). I just accept it… Pazienza - not my husband’s strong point 😅. Cuisine - I’ve travelled extensively and eaten all local cuisines, while I do love many different cuisines, I would consider moving to Italy just for the food! 🥘 yes, it’s that good!

[@MsBritaly]

The food is indeed that good! Thanks for sharing your insights!

[@hereisnowhy2110]

It’s good to find a balance in all things mentioned. Italian food has such variety, and you don’t really need anything else, even take away the pasta and bread dishes, where as Indian and Chinese foods, those I’ve been presented with, have a lot of sugars and extra ingredients which makes it difficult to make and abit of a bother tbh, perhaps they are different in the actual country themselves but I wouldn’t know cause I have not ever been. The long goodbyes, well, better that than none at all I suppose. I’ve had the pleasure on a few occasions of hosting “friends” from England and Australia at our house, and they abruptly left after eating as if they came just to fill up their tummy. Give me the 3 hour long good bye anyway 😅

[@MsBritaly]

Yes, Italian cuisine is exceptional. Yes, goodbyes are as diverse from one country to the next as the cuisine is.

[@mikisan1569]

Hi Ms Britaly! I am originally from Veneto, and I moved to Switzerland (to study) many years ago. I have been to the UK twice, and I loved EVERYTHING about it! I love London, and I think Scotland is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Oh...and I like British food too! :)

[@MsBritaly]

Ah I'm happy ----- wait, even the weather??????? 😂

[@angeloavanti2538]

I would wait until my parents were opening the door to leave before I would even look for my coat. I just knew it would take forever to leave. Funny stuff.

[@MsBritaly]

Ahahha

[@vmoses1979]

Don't worry about any criticisms. It's refreshing when someone is frank and doesn't put on rose tinted glasses. The bit about not trying different cuisines is emblematic of the country as a whole. There is a rigidity in the culture that limits change - one reason why the country is having challenges retaining talented people.

[@MsBritaly]

Thank you - yes not easy to say it as it is but totally necessary for people to understand the reality if they plan to live here.

[@alpinestar5496]

ahhh yes the long goodbye. It's a southern thing, my father from the north never did that, but my mother from the south did I grew up in Canada and this drove me crazy when visiting family. I'm with you about the pazienza thing, it's infuriating and a brush off

[@MsBritaly]

Thanks for sharing your insights!

[@brekedekdang39]

For me, #1 and #2, I think that I fit in well in Italy. I am from the American midwest, and we do long goodbyes as well. I also kind of like how Italians take it easy. #3 this parking thing is much more common in the south than the north of Italy. Technically, you don't need to pay them. I have only been in Italy for two years, but even I know you don't need to pay them. Just say you have no cash or no spiccioli. #4. I disagree that Italians don't try foreign food. I live in Naples, and my wife and I go to an all-you-can-eat asian restaurant about once a month, and there are always lots of Italians there as well. Same with Indian food. Italians take great pride in their food, and it is tied to their cultural identity. I also think when Italians are in groups, they might feel obligated to eat Italian food, or they may not admit that they like other countries' food.😅 #5. I do agree with this one, but it's complicated.

[@MsBritaly]

Thanks for sharing your insights!

[@RockyBritalian]

1. I think the long good bye is a thing in England outside of London. I say that as someone with Italian / London heritage who now lives in the sticks. It's considered a bit rude to just get up and leave unless you are on very close, everyday, terms. 2. Meh, Italians prioritise things differently. I would rather eat dinner with my family on a Sunday and put buckets on the floor due to a leaky roof, rather than fix the roof and not have dinner with my family. Food, family first... everything else, meh! 3. This now seems to be the go-to way of immigrants and beggars of expoiting foreigners. They are at the bottom of the tourist food chain and those above won't like them potentially ruining their business. Just act like an Italian and passively agressively shoo them away like seaguls. Do this whilst your still driving and if you are still worried after parking, go into the nearest shop, buy a bottle of water and make a show of pointing them out. 4. Totally agree. It's like how English people were 30/40/50 years ago. It's why you still get "Full English Breakfasts" in most tourist places abroad. What also annoys me is how Italians are totally dismissive of cooks living outside Italy who cook Italian food and try something a little different... but then have a wet legged meltdown when an Italian does something mildy out of the ordinary like add a fig to square pizza and suddenly they are like the next coming of Jesus! 5. In Southern Italy bosses seek out money to gain power. In Northern Italy bosses seek out power to gain money. You need to leverage your situation - what are you actually teaching that is seen as value to families from where you live?

[@MsBritaly]

Some good points - thanks for sharing your insights!

[@k-asp3r754]

You re making a big mistakes thinking that going in south italy Its been in italy.Cities like Palermo or Napoli are a world apart.

[@franktaylor7978]

They would probably say the same about Milan

[@MsBritaly]

If I had a Euro for every comment I've ever read like this......😂

[@rp3351]

Re. the long goodbye... what you brits call the "french leave", in many parts of Italy is "andarsene all'inglese" =)

[@MsBritaly]

I had no idea!

[@BluCircled]

Hello! Point 3 I have seen only in Southern Italy and sometimes in Rome. You can refuse to pay but then they might scratch or damage your car. I hate it! Point 4 applies to most of Italy I think, a part from Milan where they are quite keen on "foreign" food, especially sushi. Point 2 and 5 are the main reason why Italy does not evolve. Very sad. You teach them, girl! 😊

[@MsBritaly]

Thanks for sharing your insights!

[@paulnatanghe]

True. By the way, I am not here to give you an advice so it's more a point of viw but choosing Palermo as a place to live in Italy is more or less like choosing Belfast or Bournemouth or Shatterling, Kent (200 inhabitants, where I lived for a year in 2012) for living in UK, meaning that you are in a very closed "social niche" where the difference to the rest of italian cities or regions are very very big, compared to other places and it does not mecessarily need to be Rome or Bologna but sure Sicily is almost a different country: from the political standpoint is Italy, ok but it would be similar to the difference between a place in the Hebrides and London or Birmingham or even Canterbury: the beauty of Palermo and Sicily in general hides the fact that you ended up in Italy only from a nominal standpoint: that is not Italy, it' s Sicily. If you want to live in Italy and know Italy, you should go to Rome (not Naples, same reason) or Bologna or any other city in the center or north but certainly not in the south (where I come from). Again, taking out London out of the equation as it has become overpopulated with immigrants, I would never go to the isle of Skye to understand Britain...I do not know if this make sense. In other words, if you are not in love with Palermo/Sicily, go away as soon as possible: it will hit you in some years, not now. God bless you....

[@danp420]

the parking thing is a south thing, not even the whole of the south does it, I think it's a sicilian and neapolitan thing only.

[@MsBritaly]

Yes, but I don't remember this in Salerno.

[@lauracanino1424]

I am from south italy, and the thing about food is true. But I am not like that: I am a usual guest in my favourite chinese restaurant here in Calabria. I feed of kebab and chinese noodles. I think the reluctance in trying foreing food it is related most with old people. And last but not least the "pizzo" on the cars: yes, it is a shame! Point n5: you are freaking right! Omg you are!

[@NoOne2367216]

È sempre interessante guardarsi con occhi altrui. Grazie per il contenuto. Come è possibile che più passs il tempo e più bella diventi? 🫶

[@martin-1764]

3rd. It is NOT your "cold British attitude." Most people hate them... but unfortunately, it's the norm. Personally, I just avoid the parking they usually "work." But I'm lucky. Up here in Turin, they are slowly decreasing 5th. Might be more common in the south, but that's a national issue. That's said I agree with everything.

[@maikopasma9176]

I'm from Southern Italy. Yesterday when I parked for McDonald's, a man approached me and asked money. I said no and left. When I exited McDonald's he was still there, asked again, and I said no again. I didn't even try to tell him "no sorry I have nothing on me", I just said no with a straight face and kept walking.. That's it.. that's the solution to this problem, if everyone stopped giving money to this people, they'd definitely find a job. It's people who give them a reason to be there the real problem, like those who pay for Only Fans profiles

[@massimo.f1973]

Take it easy or never mind, conosco la cultura Anglo-Sassone perché ho vissuto a Londra... capisco perfettamente quello che provi e concordo, sarò concreto e ti dico che detesto gli italiani ma amo l'italia, l'arte la natura il clima... e gli italiani come me. :-)

[@letsexploreandtravelonadis6424]

I like your honesty.

[@MsBritaly]

Thank you!

[@Caleidus]

You decided to invest and live your life in Italy. You are fully entitled to criticize Italy and Italians as much as you want.....

[@MsBritaly]

I do agree that when you live somewhere, it is natural that you are going to have observations and opinions about things. I do find that on this channel, the literal second I say anything that might seem like a criticism, people are ready to pounce. The funny thing is though that people can say whatever they like about the UK and it doesn't have the same effect on me. 😂

[@viccc6430]

I am eager to try new cuisine but I do it only when I travel because that depends a lot on how many different immigrant communities you have in your country, here not so much compared to the UK

[@MsBritaly]

Yes, in the UK our cuisine is very diverse.

[@elisabetta4571]

Well, I'd say that the issues you point out are quintenssentially "southern" ones, as specific of the South of Italy I mean, and would equally frustrate me that I'm from the North of the peninsula (Milano). Whereas the reluctance to experience other cousines is actually a national trait, whether we like to confess it or not here in Milan, where we pride ourselves on being "cosmopolitan" hahahah ;)

[@MsBritaly]

Thanks for sharing your insights!

[@larams61]

Believe me Italy is a very complicated country to live in. In my opinion of course.

[@deckard1970]

The parking thing it's not a thing in central/northern Italy. Only happened to me traveling the south. As for the food thing, 99% of people I know stick to the golden rule "never ever eat Italian outside the county" for very obvious reasons (with extremely few exceptions). Cheers from Tuscany.

[@johnsopinski3997]

The parking thing is not very common here in the north. I've only seen it once or twice at some touristy spots.

[@MsBritaly]

You are so lucky!

[@fabianpatrizio2865]

as for goodbyes....my father is Sicilian...his goodbyes are still going from 1974 🙂

[@MsBritaly]

Ahahha

[@tizioincognito5731]

We live in the country with the best food in the world. We are simply not interested in lower quality cuisine.

[@MarilynLoveYou]

Those asking for money on public streets are called " posteggiatori abusivi", that is a long time bad habit ever since there's been the economic boom and more and more Italians could afford cars, at the same time unemployed people found out a way to take advantage of it. Unfortunately it's linked with criminality as you said of beggars. You should watch a film starring Toto, a famous naepolitan comedian, where he played a SPA leader, which stood for " società posteggiatori abusivi" 😂😩

[@TheArtisticJourneywithCarlo]

I’m a 32 years old Italian and I still don’t get why we do these things 😂

[@MsBritaly]

You're not alone - us Brits have some strange quirks too!!

[@Sholton7558]

My Italian mom dose this Italian goodbye 😂

[@MsBritaly]

Ah there we are!

[@RoseBornagain]

South Italy is very different than northern, from Rome down is different Italy, south is poor, no services, the foods is quite boring. Long goodbye in South Italy cause there are nothing to do😅. Move to northern if you want better quality life and thing done. My northern Italian friends they say they never employ southern Italians too slow and lazy. Thing all the economy is done north. Sicily is another planet, don't pay for illegal parking call the police.

[@MsBritaly]

Italy is different from one region to the next, which is why it makes talking about the country as a whole nigh on impossible! I will say that respectfully I disagree with the food - the food here in Sicily especially is exceptional!

[@MrNoncredo]

ciao, partendo dal parcheggiatore abusivo, hai 1000mila volte ragione, che non dare i soldi a questa gente farebbe finire questo modo di fare, ma non voglio essere io quello che si trova con la macchina bruciata, e questo ti porta direttamente al punto sulla tolleranza del sistema lavoro, purtroppo si accettano lavori degradanti e insoddisfacenti proprio per non andare a fare il parcheggiatore abusivo, per quanto riguarda il cibo hai ragione, mi sono trovato in compagnia di amici in vacanza fuori Italia e la prima cosa che hanno fatto è cercare dove si può mangiare pasta, molto grave, a me piace scoprire nuove cucine e vivendo a Roma ho la possibilità di sperimentarne molte oltre quando vado fuori dall'Italia, purtroppo però anche a me dopo 4/5 giorni manca il carboidrato e magari una schifosissima domino pizza me la concedo, a volte non è nemmeno il gusto del cibo straniero che non ci può piacere ma gli accostamenti tra i diversi ingredienti e le spezie "ad minchiam" che si usano in altre cucine o che ti mettono tutto nello stesso piatto, tipo spaghetti scotti in bianco con 3 polpette e un po' di sugo contornato da pesche sciroppate e ananas in scatola, ora capisco che chi è cresciuto con pane e burro d'arachidi e cipolla (mia esperienza personale 20 giorni vacanza studio in una famiglia ad Oxford)mangiare spaghetti scotti ecc. ecc. non sia così male.

[@vincenzofaulisi8367]

If you smile at people you will always find the door open in Italy.

[@MsBritaly]

People are very friendly here in the South especially.

[@irenemacginley6022]

How I understand those "long goodbyes"......Always hated them. BTW, is your channel now monetised.....??

[@MsBritaly]

Those super long goodbyes ahaha

[@andrewdiprose]

Number four is significant, a sad reality

[@Giulia15278]

In Italia siamo abituati ad essere vessati dal potere (fino a qualche secolo fa straniero) così abbiamo imparato a vivere bene nonostante imposizioni che non capivamo, ad accettarle con Pazienza (ed a trovare metodi più o meno legali per aggirarle😂).

[@fabianpatrizio2865]

your pictures aren't straight, hehe :)

[@MsBritaly]

Ahahha well spotted!

[@pile333]

👏

[@DanielSextonArts]

gullible: (adjective) One who pays an individual who insists on taking advantage of them for public parking on a free street.

[@MsBritaly]

Isn't it a shame

[@andreadimatteo1036]

to come from London is it a privilege? Lol ...

[@MsBritaly]

Good point - a lot more questionable now for sure - but a lot of people still consider it to be so.

[@RoseBornagain]

I'm from Northern part of Italy near too borders open mentality, I lived in many countries, yes south sucks I live in Puglia the ppl are ignorant rude, lazy, the food is disgusting 🤢..I can't wait to move to Tuscany..we call them terroni, 😅 Ferrari, Armani, top quality in everything comes from Northern Italy, I really didn't know how poor was the south 😅 when I moved to London years ago even London was poor quality compared to Northern Italy.

[@MsBritaly]

Oh I'm sorry that you've not had the best experience in Puglia - I'm surprised about the food as well because for me, it's been the biggest upgrade in my life!