Why I Embrace Being Different in Italy

[@fabianpatrizio2865]

"generally" yes to all those things...however, there are always exceptions :) I live in Australia (Australian mother, my father is from Messina), and we often went there for holidays growing up and I vividly recall red haired Sicilians, blondes, tall, short whatever.,....not the 'norm' no, but they were there and were called/ teased biondi, or similar phrases...remember, the Normans were there once! 🙂...I also know a 6 foot blonde, blue-eyed Sicilian guy from Palermo who looks German, not southern Italian! PS - my Sicilian father is super organised and punctual! Go figure....again, not the norm, though, he was in the Italian merchant navy so that probably rubbed off somewhat...PPS - I did what you're doing (but in Japan) for 5 years....so I take my hat off to you...I went through exactly the same stages..I guess as everyone does (ie. fit in, not fit in, change yourself, go back to your true self etc etc...) It's all part of the learning process 🙂

[@Tatianaarc]

I feel you darl I’m 6’1 ,as my Italian ex used to say ‘altezza mezza bellezza baby’❤️

[@pile333]

Italy is just the land of differences; in a relatively little territory so many differences are laid, on every level. Your "differences" can only enrich this territory, even if you may think they don't.

[@MsBritaly]

Thank you and I like how you’ve described it too!

[@handeinwonderland]

Loved this video! It's so inspiring to hear about the beauty of embracing our differences and experiencing new cultures. Thanks for reminding us to be proud of who we are, no matter where we are. 🩷

[@MsBritaly]

Thank you ❤️

[@salenzo8065]

Bread is always on the table in restaurants & homes in Italy, and this is where I show my britishness - I’m always asking for butter. 🧈

[@MsBritaly]

Ahahahha

[@brian6464]

Not being able to roll my r's knocks my confidence when trying to speak the lingo.

[@MsBritaly]

I wish I could!

[@lolitafrost3495]

This video reminds me to stay true to myself ❤ I am Australian living in northern Italy ❤ Thank you 😊

[@MsBritaly]

I’m happy - thank you!

[@salassian3162]

Be true to yourself, Ms Britaly. Rock on. I agree with you, I'd be doing the same thing should I be in your situation.

[@MsBritaly]

Thank you!

[@spuvenk]

When I went to France to live from England, I made an effort to think in French and wow! It worked wonders. I was thinking in French for a whole year in England after going back. I was only in England less than a year and came to Italy and I continued to think in French as I worked in the French customer department of the company in my first job in Italy. I regularly spoke to French clients and travelled there frequently.

[@MsBritaly]

That’s incredible! I am glad it made such a difference!

[@AFTillDeath]

Beautifully put. I relate to this so much. Love your videos. Keep em coming! 🙏🏿👍🏿🤙🏿

[@MsBritaly]

Thank you!

[@bryankuderman945]

You’re very brave. I enjoy and can relate to your comments.

[@MsBritaly]

Thank you!

[@diegocanale1124]

You could pass for a local in northern Italy😊

[@MsBritaly]

Ah thanks!

[@Ponitypon]

I moved to Italy 10 months ago and this video really helped

[@MsBritaly]

I'm pleased!

[@spuvenk]

You are not the only one. I am British but I am of Italian descent and in Italy they see me as the English guy. I have one Italian name and the other half of my name is a German name but they get confused with my family name and always treat it as my Christian name. My skin colour is as white as yours and there I stand out amongst the crowd. My youngest son is the same colour as I am and my eldest is very dark skinned. I speak perfect Italian and yet they always joke with me in their English and yes as I am Italian as they are even if didn’t grow up in Italy. I think that once you are marked you will always be marked as someone different. Everyone knows about my preciseness and they don’t joke with me on that point. I do get what you mean Claire. In England it’s the other way around. Most treat me as an Italian although I am as English as they are. And they know it. I don’t look Italian. I was born high up in the Italian mountains and we are as white as they come. I was 1 when my parents brought me to England and England for me was my homeland although we spoke Italian at home as my Italian family speaks English at home here in Italy. In the end we are all different , my children and myself. In both countries.

[@MsBritaly]

Your experiences highlight just how differences can be perceived by others. I find it rather fascinating in a way!

[@slopermarco]

The Italian phonetics/pronunciation of vowels is very simple as it is "exact" like mathematics (and not "random", as in English): A is always A, like in America E is always E, as in Excellent I is always I, like in India O is always O, as in Ohio U is always U, as in fOOd/mOOn Then CH = K, as in Kilo (and NOT ch as in chili). Bruschetta is BrusKetta, not brusheta; Pistacchio is PistaKKio, not Peestascheeio; Chianti is Kianti, not Cheeanti. Consonants are approximately pronounced as in English, with few exceptions (letter C can be CH or K depending on the following vowel). In any case they don't make as much difference as poorly pronounced vowels. 😊

[@MsBritaly]

Yes - I think my mind is so used to the variations there are in English, that maybe this seems almost too simple for me 🤣

[@vish5465]

Exatamente! Vou fazer minha mudança pra Itália em breve e não pretendo mudar minha personalidade. Óbvio que temos que nos adequar à cultura do país ao qual estamos nos mudando, mas não tenho nenhuma pretensão de SER italiano. Sei que não sou, nunca serei e não tem problema nenhum nisso. Nossa história, cultura e experiências individuais são grande parte do que somos e é isso que nos torna únicos.

[@MsBritaly]

Infatti - grazie!

[@AstralHealthGuy]

I think you look Italian. Maybe it’s different in Sicily but where my mums is from in Campania they range from lighter than you to very dark , very close to Middle Eastern.

[@MsBritaly]

Ah interesting!

[@gabrielefigliola9619]

You look so mediterranean to me.

[@MsBritaly]

Aw thanks!

[@annarosasoldi8844]

As far as I can see your look is typically mediterranean, except for your height. It is surprising that so many expats although living in Italy are full of common places about the Italians. Short, tanned, dark hair, a bit rough and old style. I am wondering where they live and who are their neighbours. I've been living in Italy ever since I was born and I've always been surrounded by people who are mostly different from those you describe.

[@MsBritaly]

I think it depends on where in Italy you live. Certainly here in the South and especially in the smaller villages - it’s more common to see the stereotypical image that people hold of Italians. In the North, maybe less so.

[@nicolettastrada5976]

@@MsBritalyin smaller smaller village yes 🤣🤣🤣

[@gennyshark]

Ave, altissima Claire😊! Dico come la penso. Credo che quando si passa a vivere in un posto straniero bisogna bilanciare due aspetti in qualche modo contrastanti: il rispetto per la tradizione e la cultura locale ed il rispetto per se stessi. Spesso gli stranieri hanno atteggiamenti altezzosi, tipo il pretendere che si parli inglese. E noi magari non sopportiamo alcune cose, anche banali se si vuole: per esempio una volta mi capitò di assistere a degli Americani che bevevano il cappuccino dopo una cena in enoteca. Ho cercato di dimenticare questo orrore, ma, come vedi, lo shock non me lo fa dimenticare ancora😅

[@MsBritaly]

Sono d'accordo-l'equilibrio è importante

[@Marenqo]

European living in Britain here. It's a challenge for us as all, sometimes ;)

[@MsBritaly]

Yes, I’m sure!

[@teresadrozd7171]

I love your eng so much❤

[@MsBritaly]

Thank you!

[@JeffAlaniStanfill]

Hi Ms Britaly. I really enjoy your videos, they are so informative. I have long dreamed of moving to Italy since we visited the country back in 2019 and fell in love with it. My question is about attitudes towards LGBTQ peoples. Are they open minded in the region you live towards the LGBTQ community? Are there some ares that are less friendly? Thank you so much!

[@MsBritaly]

Thanks so much for your comment! Italy is a very religious country but even so it is slowly becoming more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. It does depend on where you are - in summary smaller villages, smaller minds - but here in Palermo for example, the city explodes with love and colour for Pride every year! Sicily has also just opened its first LGBTQ+ hotel. I would say as a very general answer, in bigger cities you tend to find more diversity!

Ciao Claire, la resilienza va bene, ma stravolgere il proprio essere no ❤

[@MsBritaly]

Infatti - grazie

[@francescom1514]

🤔if Claire or Chiara makes so much difference to you, maybe in two or three years you'll be back to UK. Just my HO, but I see some signs of "cracking" here and there. Of course living in another country for several years takes out the "magic" of the beginning , but... seems deeper to me. Thanks for the video and have a good day

[@MsBritaly]

Thank you - that whole name thing was actually from 3-4 years ago..I’m still here! You naturally process a lot of emotions when you’re living in another country but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready to leave!

[@pabloteetheartist]

Yup, slippy at best, chianti ; i mean clear. This month i've been taking an advanced italian language course and i am back at square one after 40 years with my little war of the verbs ,i 'm still making the same mistakes and still completely clueless about passato ,articolari, il lo li ecc. but at least i am relearning everything especially words that i've been mixing up all this time salire, um capire ( capitalo,capitano, capito)....

[@MsBritaly]

It takes time for sure - piano piano!

[@Ponitypon]

Yes things are really sloppy ughh

[@janetlombardi2314]

Tall and proud 👏 Is your boyfriend a similar height? I agree with your points. Thank you 😊

[@MsBritaly]

Yes - thank you!

[@talebm5008]

I was super confused how you could stick out because from your face, hair colour I would have just assumed you were native. But yeah, your height will be a big give away. I'm only 5'7 and feel huge sometimes.

[@MsBritaly]

Ahaha yes - there’s no escaping that!

[@MIEJ4]

You are Italian+ 😁

[@MsBritaly]

Ahahha thanks!

[@bluesman1947]

Good luck to you sincerely. But I don't see you living in Southern Italy in the near future.

[@MsBritaly]

Ah I don’t know about that 😉