You’ll Never Fully Adjust to Life in Italy? - The Hidden Truth About Living Abroad Rafael Di Furia

[@mariecurie7491]

I retired to Sicily from England exactly 7 years ago. I already spoke Italian, and had made some friends over previous visits. Found a flat to rent. Despite the difficulties over the last 5 years, I feel happier than ever. Fit and well at age 71

[@michealdagostino6972]

If you're not happy within yourself then you won't be happy anywhere 🙏

[@modestacattaruzza7400]

Now that's what I call the truth. I am a Canadian Italian citizen, I left Italy when I was 18 . I have been in my Canada for almost 66 years. I love my place of birth, but I love my home Canada just as much and more. I have my beautiful house, my big Yard, my big garden and flowers. Love my city province and country. Why in God name would I move anywhere else. I can travel if I want ,but at the end of it, my home is in my Canada.

[@rainwaterd]

Maybe I'm not "sensitive", but my wife and I have been living in Italy for 5 months, and we feel at home already. All our government requirements and purchases (house/apartment/remodeling) have been no more trouble here than in the U.S. One, we did everything we could do in the Italian embassy in Texas before we came here to live. We had an interpreter to help us get started with our "yellow envelope", and this probably saved us weeks of frustration. Yes, i feel a little left out in heavy italian language company, but I've worked in kitchens in the U.S. when I was young, and cooks would speak to each other in their native languages. I must add......I think we live in an Italian province (Abruzzo) bubble.......everyone is very friendly, and patient here, and being welcoming is more important to the people here than typical Italian custom. The first couple of weeks I was helping the neighbors and their 15+ family members make seasonal "pomodori". I have spent days helping our main contractor harvest olives for oil. We live in an apartment, and people come and bring fresh produce from their gardens....we share dishes....have wine together...etc. Anyway, to me, people are not so different in other countries, but if I'm in another country, I'm looking to fit in rather than having people accept me......At my age, learning Italian will take a while though.

[@Sonzoul1]

I have moved from middle east to several countries before establishing in Montreal. Lived in Russia for 3 years, France for 2 years and Montreal 30 plus years. Here is my experience: I accept wherever I am as my home and try to see both the good and the bad of each country and EMBRACE THEM. As a Lebanese, we have so many good and bad traits and why should i accept anything different from other countries/people/cultures. My husband is from Milan and he moved to Montreal 20 years ago. He has the same attitude. He loves Canada for its beautiful nature and accepts the cold weahter. We have decided to move to Italy soon and I am ready 100% for the good, the bad and the ugly and the BEST. I also agree with what Rafael is saying. My parents also had to move/not willingly (Armenian genocide by Turkish people) and they had developed that sense of accepting where they are as their home. If you are not exposed to different cultures, you expect people to adapt to your need rather than you accepting them and complaining less.

[@tiapina7048]

I have a similar view as you do, and I think it make a massive difference in having a happier life without expectations. I wish you all the best for your moving to Italy, I hope people will treat you nicely.

[@rioriggs3568]

I go to Italy almost every year on vacation and I’ve learned we don’t have to be there to enjoy la dolce vita. I’m also based in Montreal (suburb), my dad is Italian and I live a very Italian lifestyle right here in Canada. To be honest, it’s probably way easier here than it is in Italy. We have amazing restaurants and an insane amount of Italian imports. We probably have a greater selection of Italian products here than in most small and medium size villages in Italy. We cook our traditional recipes (Emilia Romagna) and so many other dishes from different regions including obviously pizza! With the internet, it’s easy to find any authentic Italian recipe. We go to the opera multiple times a year, we watch Italian TV, we listen to Italian music (San Remo festival is around the corner), etc. We don’t have the old country architecture but we go to Quebec City multiple times a year for a similar feel. We use to make our own wine, salami, prosciutto, coppa, sausages, pancetta, etc. We still make fresh pasta and ravioli (anolini). My cousin still makes his own cheese. We go mushroom picking (porcini) yearly. Life is beautiful. I go for walks multiple times a day. Among other things for Christmas we got zampone, pandoro, panettone, castagne, etc. We start the day with better coffee than in Italy and better croissants (obviously we have Nutella and crema di pistachio from Bronte)… La vita è bella. Italy is great but let’s not forget that Montreal is one hell of a city! The beautiful thing about going to Italy as a tourist is that I can visit different regions every time. We usually go see 3 concerts while we're there and that pretty much dictates our itinerary. I would say I'm more connected to Italian culture than my family in Italy.

[@urbnfusionteam3200]

Thank you, perfect explanation. Accepting with respect to others! this can be difficult for some people.

[@shareehammett1590]

I really appreciated your analysis of the article. Im planning to move to Padova next year and want to mentally and emotionally prepare. Your channel is so helpful.❤😊

[@nicolaloverre4524]

I live in Padova. I have worked and lived here for the best part of my life, but I have also worked abroad for two years. The American woman's experience seems to be specific to Rome, and some of what she said might be true, although Rome is generally viewed also by other Italians as some sort of exception (public service offices not being open when they're supposed to be, and so on). The description certainly doesn't apply here. Bureaucracy is a bit of a nightmare, yes, but overall the working and everyday life experience doesn't differ that much from the one I had in central Europe. The average standard working hours are 40 per week, therefore more than say, in Germany. As to the "unlimited coffee breaks"...well, I wonder where she has seen that 😂

[@gmdanna]

Love this! Funny how family is right? My grandparents (paternal) came from Sicily. My dad as an immigrant kid, felt alienated in a way in the US cuz he grew up only speaking Sicilian. Worked hard to break that immigrant mold to be the 1st to go to college, be chemical engineer and work for Monsanto and married an American girl. He even sometimes claimed he was Danny when his name was Dominic (you should’ve seen me about 10 going off on our neighbor for calling him Danny). In a way, thnx to WWII ( he was born 1916 so part of that Italian American generation) he ‘divorced’ his native heritage to BE American. My mother complained how us girls always leaned to the Sicilian side, but I think if he was still alive, he’d get a kick out of me taking my Italian citizenship. One day I plan to go to Italy to live and considering all this. Good episode

[@flaviabarosio7759]

Italia e stati uniti due mondi completamente opposti

[@angeloavanti2538]

First person perspectives help the rest of us. I'm not divided. I'm headed to Italy. If I go anywhere it will be to other countries in Europe.

[@HoosierInUtah]

Great analysis! Thanks for this fun episode ✨ Buon Natale 🎄

[@DT-vc7hd]

Loved this episode. Refreshing to hear the "real talk".

[@MartinaValla]

The irony ofPoste Italiane insurance being the sponsored ad playing during this video lol

[@lindalove2956]

I recently “found” you and your videos. I was listening to this one and think you have expressed very well the mindset required to live in another culture than the one you were born into. I’m an American who first came to live in Italy in 1994. Stayed until 2000 then was offered a great job in London, so moved. In all, over the last 30 years I’ve lived in Italy twice, different regions, London, China, Malta. I think I adjusted quickly to other cultures for the most part, except China for various reasons, in particular la gauge. What has been common in all these countries is that I made them my home, thought of them as my home, lived as my home. Yes, there are times and things here in Italy that do frustrate me, but mostly I have a “that’s how it’s done here attitude”. I am currently having more difficult with the process of healthcare. Both mysel and my husband have had serious health issues for the past year. Our experience of the doctors has been excellent. As good or better than anywhere else we have lived. But the process, systems, way to manage the how it works and how much you have to do so many steps to get things done, something I never experienced in the 5 countries I have lived in, is making me think at this stage of my life I may need to return to a. Lu try where this would be easier. We are both in our 70’s now and the energy it takes to do some of the simple things relating to healthcare is getting g difficult. I would never go back k to the US. I have dual US/UK citizenship and relate more to the UK than I do to the US. Anyway, just wanted to say hi and thanks for your videos. Linda

[@annortolaza6401]

Ciao Rafael!! Buon Natale 🎅

[@tic-tacdrin-drinn1505]

Have people who dream of the Dolce Vita ever seen Fellini's film? When it came out in 1972, it was considered a drama, but today it is rightly seen more as an ironic criticism of a certain lazy Roman society. Americans come to Italy and dream of enjoying life and living at a slower pace -- but only when they don't need anything (or have to go to the "Poste Italiane"...). Then everything should be done in a jiffy. It's also strange that someone experiences "culture shocks" every time they move from one country to another and back. If you already know how things work here and there, you can adapt, right?

[@lagringa7518]

Actually things in the US and the world in general are moving and monumentally CHANGING from what we once considered 'normal' right now.

[@FecitAnon]

La Dolce Vita came out in 1960.

[@lagringa7518]

@@FecitAnon .... and the vita wasn't very dolce for Marcello, many forget that this wasn't a cheerful story.

[@tic-tacdrin-drinn1505]

@@FecitAnonRight, 65 years ago!

[@carlooooooo]

Italy is wonderful if you have the right (flexible) mindset. Just find the right spot, is so diverse

[@tic-tacdrin-drinn1505]

It's like going to live in Venice and believing that "in Italy" there is water in every street.

[@carlooooooo]

Moving from US to Rome for a slower peace........ i think there's a misunderstanding .... Rome is cahotic..... go for other parts of Italy if you look for slower pece..... go southern

[@lucchese20]

Great analysis of the article Rafael. I loved it. 🎉

[@DuShaneTony]

Great episode. Thank you.

[@pattiderosamusic3292]

As an Italian/American (dual citizen) living in Italy for almost 10 years, I’ve noticed that those who are of Italian-American heritage and who grew up with the cultural nuances (beyond the superficial) of that heritage seem to transition here easier. The small everyday things of culture that seem to drive many (non-Italian) Americans here crazy are often the very things that make me feel the most familiar, comfortable and validated. So “cultural distance” between home culture and new culture is one big factor. That said, there are also many important differences between Italian and Italian-American culture, and it can be a rude awakening for many Italian-Americans here to suddenly realize how very American they truly are in worldview, perspective, attitudes and behavior. This is true for Americans of all backgrounds living abroad - if we are not willing or able to shift from, or even recognize that we have, the “America is best” mindset, the transition will be much more difficult.

[@Jowa1617]

This is so true. I am a dual US Italian citizen and have been living in Italy for 1.5 years. I also have some family in Italy and am used to the Italian ways as I grew up with many Italian relatives in the US. My question is-I am still learning the Italian and so I feel like, in my town, I am on the outside looking in. People are nice, but I can’t have a fluid conversation yet. Even when I am speaking better, is a foreigner ever really accepted into the Italian inner circle by anyone? I have been wondering about this lately!

[@alessandrom7181]

Many Italian Americans are as much culturally American as your average Anglosaxon Wasp Joe from Texas and they don't fit in Italy at all honestly. Also almost all Italian Americans are of South Italian ancestry and when they come in Italy they realize that North and Central Italy are not the same of South Italy their parents or grandparents left, let alone the South of 50 or 100 years ago. Italy Is not a monolith from Alps to Sicily and Italians from various region sometimes are a world of their own even from a region to another, but South Italy Is a world of its own much more.

[@giorgiotommasini6828]

​​@@Jowa1617yes, Just try to learn the language a bit better and know some more about uses and customs and you'll fit right in. Language is the main thing though, being somehow fluent is paramount to really blend in

[@Jebbis]

I remember there was or still is a big hullabaloo about the people who manage the beaches in Italy. Wasn't there recently a law that was being discussed that would allow big companies to take over and push out the small family operations that have been managing these beaches? It also sounds like she's doing the exact same thing that many in the US accuse immigrants who come over and not fully assimilating and integrating into the society.

[@ajdrums8075]

Poor comparison. Most folks complain about illegal immigration not those that enter legally, attempt wholeheartedly to assimilate but fall a bit short.

[@Jebbis]

@@ajdrums8075 Legal or illegal those are just two sides of the same coin, it's still people not assimilating into the culture and others complaining about it.

[@marcolucca6241]

I think that beyond the whining I read in the comments, there are 2 issues: 1) it's no longer like 60 years ago when you took 1 one-way plane in your entire life and that was it, you had to adapt. today we can come and go wherever and whenever we want. this is positive but also negative, because it creates anxiety about novelty. 2) if you settle down permanently, in order not to go crazy you have to create a family. if the wife is American pray to God that she is a person who adapts and has ease in studying the language, if you marry an Italian it's Russian roulette, because the old saying "wife from your country" is realistic. but the thing that isn't said here is that if you look at Anglo-Saxon history in general, you are not at all as international as you say you are. you are international as long as you play by your rules and speak English, otherwise you are a fish out of water

[@alessandrom7181]

Well said..all they do Is whining and want others to adapt to their customs..otherwise "Is cultural shock" and can't do anything but whine. Well they have to understand the world doesn't revolve around Murica. 🤦

[@RanallAcquistapace]

I am Italian American. I'm sessantadue or 62. Yes, the people here will be afraid to speak or speak over your head. You must learn the language for sure. But if you are good with people and have the traditional blood line, people will accept you. I find people are people here as well. Word!!

[@marcolucca6241]

@RanallAcquistapace "traditional blood line" sounds very racist here in Europe, what do you mean?

[@tobemallie3659]

I think it’s the way Italian men treat women, generally speaking. I love how my Italian fiancé treats me. He showers me with compliments and calls me sweet names, does more gentlemanly things for me…thoughtful, romantic gestures, etc., and it’s CONSISTENT. Even male strangers do more of these nice things, not just my fiancé. If you value family, Italian men (again, generally speaking) are more into family. They take care of their elders and get together with everyone, a lot. This is very attractive and refreshing to some women, such as myself. I know not every Italian man is like this, and that not every American man isn’t like this. It’s just easier to find, here in Italy. Also, the language is a huge turn on. Everything sounds more beautiful, romantic, and poetic.😂

[@maryamshabestari7960]

I wonder how long you have been with him?

[@tobemallie3659]

@@maryamshabestari7960 3 years. Getting married in July.

[@gregberke6772]

You may refer to the place you were born and raised as your first home no other connotation needed.

[@MichaelScalet72]

She should try to live in India! She wouldn't last 3 hours 😂 I'm from Italy and what she says is 100 times more intense in India (used to live there, for 15 years). Anyhow, the whole article could be skipped over. Just the "1st home vs 2nd home" was enough to know what she was going to complain about.

[@wwlt.trevor0512]

Someone who’s lived in both Europe & Middle East, the starring is annoying for sure, but being able to travel like that is still a precious gift!

[@riukrobu]

I think the "problem" is that some people first believe in stereotypes that are clearly impossible to be true if you only think about it rationally. Then, when they realize that life ain't a movie, they get disappointed. Which is also more or less what you said. I'm from Italy, yes we try to enjoy our lives but just listen to what Italians have to say about our bureaucracy, the power structures, criminality and so on. You won't find any sincere Italian who would deny the many problems we face. But if you apply a blind eye to what we say and just want to believe that Italy is a paradise, yeah! I bet you gonna be disappointed! Don't blame it on us though! It's not like we didn't warn you!

[@maxrappricciardi8218]

You are not mentioning the differences in the various regiond and cities in Italy. There are as many differences between Milan, ROME and Palermo as there are between New York, San Ffrancisco and Dallas. And of course differences between the countryside and the larger cities. Otherwise I think that youre analysis in general is very accurate….

[@hovigalahaidoyan4080]

Its very tempting to judge another culture and expressing frustration maybe comes naturally (and is unfortunately encouraged online by the algorythm) The reasons one wants to come to Italy are probably/mostly likely responsible for the exact same things one complains about... but you can't divorce the two. People want the best of both worlds; the comforts of home with the adventure of the new, unknown and unpredictable; Not possible. Along the way you meet people where you exchange ideas and who knows, you might learn something and change for the better and in turn do the same for others...but dont be the person who wants to come in and fix things. I say this as someone who had this mindset earlier on and still at times cant help myself doing exactly what I'm advising against above. It has caused me nothing but pain financially and mentally. If you have the option to travel and LIVE in different parts of the world, you are in a truly rare and fortunate position so enjoy and be grateful.

[@joannebrauer2688]

NYC has is own neighborhoods also

[@GrannyFromItaly]

Why Is She bothering to stay 8:59 in Italy? If After 7 years She Is still complaining She can stay in her First home.

[@Jo.King_]

can't find a man

[@GrannyFromItaly]

@@Jo.King_ She Need to learn to relax 😜

[@sfstucco]

I find that those who go (or stay) to a different country because of being with their Significant Other are generally the ones who have the most difficulty adjusting. They never had the desire develop to move there for themselves, and they’re only in that country because of their relationship. So it’s always an adjustment they didn’t “choose” for themself, mentally: it feels to them as if “someone else” chose it for them. I heard that when I moved to a country my partner is from, and I hear it in the United States (where I’m from).

[@KimaHolland55]

Hi Rafael, Not wanting to sound like a drag😉 But there is some truth in the story of your ancestors 'Where the children could only drink wine because it was the only thing safe to drink'. During the Muslim invasions on 'the other side of the Mediterranean' several rivers in the region of Murcia were poisoned . Back then Horses were ran up the hill to transport barrels filled with wine up to the village on top of the Hill. This tradition of horses climbing up the hill still exists today during the 'Caballos del Vino' festival in Caravaca de la Cruz Spain. I can imagine something similar has occured in the village of your family in Italy 💖

[@costante_3196]

bureaucracy in Italy is like Alien: stay away, run away!

[@tic-tacdrin-drinn1505]

It's not the "bureaucracy", it's the inept bureaucrats....

[@costante_3196]

@tic-tacdrin-drinn1505 As James Coburn told Rod Steiger in A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE. Where there is confusion, a man who knows what he wants has everything to gain...such are the Italian bureaucrats.

[@lagringa7518]

The problem (among many) with America is that they are incredibly isolated, only 1/3rd of the population even has a passport. They live in an insular, overworked, propagandized world... while Europeans have been traveling across borders, languages, food and lifestyles for thousands of years and most simply adjust. This fundamentally makes Americans quite ignorant about the world in general or grasp that there are other flesh and blood people living out there on the planet who breathe just like they do, which I guess is why they aren't thoroughly disgusted by their government making enemies, war and carnage everywhere that has a resource the greedy monopolists covet.... it's too easy to be detached and I believe those elite monopolists instilled that exclusionist mentality to their advantage.

[@talkmauro]

Not totally true. About 50% have PPs. Don’t forget Americans are a mix of a lot of European immigrants so that culture is also mixed it. Yea Americans are overworked, we experience propaganda- many European countries do too and can be quite arrogant but I don’t think ignorance is the right word. I think mentality is probably like many world powers of the past - England, France, Romans, etc - they are the best and don’t want to know all that. It’s not everyone but probably a lot care more about what’s happening in US vs Europe or other places. The elite oligarchs are in every country and it’s hard to single out just US for this although we do have a lot of them. Also the government has a horrible reputation and approval rating of Congress, Courts, etc are in the toilet. So we have similar problems it just the spotlight shines on the US more.

[@lagringa7518]

@@talkmauro There's been almost 40% increase just since the 2013, because there are now many seeking an exit option or at least see some of the world before they shut us down into 15 min cities. Oh I agree, all the global elites have unified and the US, BIS ie; all their private banking ilk and the monopolists run the EU and are willing to kill Europe as we've known it just like they are killing the US. Every and any form of "Democracy" is what's on the chopping block, they are sick of us having ANY say in their technocratic, totalitarian wet dreams and have been working diligently towards their ends for over 50 yrs to distract, debilitate and impoverish us to the point of capitulation to a dumbed down, CBDC, social credit score slave status... all this since the computer age made it possible to entrap us all.

[@tiapina7048]

When you decide to move abroad you should be a bit grounded and understand that visiting a place as a tourist isn't the same. As a student you get a bit more the gist of the place, but often things are still managed by somebody else and you have the pink tinted glasses of the youth. Now internet helps getting more of what can be moving in X place, but still, just bear in mind that it's often down to personal experience.

[@marcb4788]

The thumbnail 😂😂😂 ..looks like when you were a kid and got caught doing something wrong. Thanks for the laugh

[@RanallAcquistapace]

Do you speak Italian, as well as your English? I need your help!!!!

[@TravelStammer]

Interesting topic today as this is my dilemma between London and Trieste. Do I make the full time move. What if I can't freelance the same way I do here. Is it worth the red tape to move fully or can the idea of 5 to 6 months split between the year 90/180 day rule be more beneficial. Will I get the vest experience that way for a short time till I figure out my path. Could I have an online business if I did the non resident route and only be taxed in London. Even if I buy a property in Italy. So many questions. Ultimately I would like to live full time, though establishing myself in London in a new career path, could I do the same in Trieste idk..... Yh I've had the full on stares from all ages kids, elders, women in cars who stop watching the road and watch me instead 😅 jeez it's hard to adjust too alot of the time and more standoffish in the North as apposed to South and the islands but it's not all the time and everyone so just put it down to curiosity or they just don't know how to approach and get to know you etc Martina from italian bites she is from northern Italy and married an American guy and lives in USA so it does happen but not often I agree Good food for thought: if your back and forth then where is home? Damn that was deep but true. The answer will be clear to me and many others soon I hope

[@TheRomanPilgriminPerson]

I still don’t like when people in Rome make fun of my leg warmers in the winter, but my work requires me to walk outside for hours all day, so I accommodate my own comfort first. I find Roman motorcycle drivers crude, driving up and down sidewalks, parking in front of residential windows, idling and rumbling, sounding alarms, backing into the windows until the grill cracks, gunning the engine, spewing gas fumes through the window, or driving head first into the grill, flashing the headlight through the window, it’s dirty and mannerless. They argue with anyone trying to get them away from the building, there are parking places on the street but they prefer to carve out their own even though they make residential life intolerable, they don’t care.

[@Alex_Rome]

You have serious issues that should be taken care of by professionists. Please do not waste the free italian helthcare for that. Go back to banana republic and use your private insurance.

[@anta3612]

Le donne italiane ono abituate agli uomini italiani che sono dei grandi corteggiatori ... gli uomini stranieri molto meno. Comunque, ci sono donne italiane che si sposano con uomini stranieri.

[@RanallAcquistapace]

Dont google maps. Google and yes their are limits. Italians are living a Dolce vita. You must learn.

[@lucazeppegno8256]

Please, stop this idiocy: none in Italy "live the Dolce Vita", no one defines it that way. La Dolce Vita is just a movie. It doesn't exist in reality.It's not a thing, is just some american stereotype which has no basis in reality and no one use this words in Italy. Stop consider that living in some little center in Southern Italy means "living in Italy".

[@modestacattaruzza7400]

I have la dolce vita in Canada my family, my house,my job I love ,my friends , and go wherever I want anytime. Happy with myself.

[@modestacattaruzza7400]

I was born in southern Italy , like to visit and go home. I family in Milano Roma friuli Calabria reggio and friends in Padova and others places,but my home, in my Canada. Thanks.

[@gabrielesantucci6189]

Esattamente. Quello che dici è perfetto. Vengono in italia con questa massa di stereotipi e pre concetti tipo "la dolce vita" il "dolce far niente " e cazzate del genere, poi rimangono delusi quando si accorgono che la vita reale è un altra cosa, come in ogni altro paese del globo, la vita vera è molto diversa. Spesso, gli americani soprattutto, sono molto ingenui, e pensano che i luoghi comuni o i modi di dire siano realtà.

[@obfuscateidentity2329]

The grass is greener on the other side of the road 🛣️.... Fallacy

[@modestacattaruzza7400]

Yes , but most of the time is not green but yellow and dead.

[@andreaarchambeau9499]

Having lived in two major US cities, each city is made up of village/ neighborhoods. Each area has distinct character. This is common.

[@MartinaValla]

Anyway I've always noticed that, as you say, 99% of IT-US couples feature an American woman and an Italian man. I think it's because there's this romanticized idea of Italian people (men) that doesn't extend to the women. Or maybe that the stereotype America has for italian women isn't really positive 😅 let's face it. Same for France I think.

[@keegster7167]

Yeah, that is interesting! As an American, I keep hearing from women that Italian guys do a lot more of the things they don't expect that guys would do from a general American perspective (show their emotions, cook, live with their parents, etc.). Indian guys should be more popular then though, too, based on these traits. So, I am curious what exactly Italian men have different as a generality. Italian women are definitely very attractive imo. I also love that Italian women can be very pedantic; most American women are more likely to hate pedantry and don't tend to like getting into the nitty gritty details (and talk passionately about such minutiae!). In fact, I think that's also a very French trait. But I'm just guessing about all of this haha based on what I've seen haha

[@MartinaValla]

@keegster7167 interesting points. So you're kind of confirming my idea about the stereotype of Italian women being somewhat motherly and pedantic lol (which in Italy tends to apply as a stereotype for southern women in particular)

[@keegster7167]

@@MartinaValla ahh I see. That would make sense, since I as most Americans are more familiar with Southern Italians than Northern Italians. Even Italian New Yorkers tend to be from the south or central Italy (I know they tend to speak Neapolitan or maybe Sicilian) and they have the same stereotype of arguing a lot, so that makes sense, too

[@gauloise6442]

To be honest, Italy is one of the few countries in the world that has good looking, well-dressed men and women can "go up" from what they find in their home country.. Men have many countries in the world where they can move to where the average woman is more attractive and feminine than the average western woman.

[@MartinaValla]

@@gauloise6442 hmm, you might have a point. I've always found weird though this widespread idea that Italians are good looking when I think we're a kinda ugly people on average! 😅

[@LiPalm-n6y]

Staring is rude in Italy too, otherwise we wouldn't have typical sentences that can be translated as :"Da fuq are you looking at?". The ones staring are just rude people and in every Country there's a bunch of those

[@toniweston4330]

I had the reverse happen in my life! I moved to the USA in 1969. I am almost 70 now. The culture was palatable. The food is still sketchy! It was really awful in the 1970's! I was sure all the men would look like Elvis Presley, what a joke! The lack of fashion alone was and still is a tragedy! Don't get me started on education...So culture does make a lasting impression! Regards Toni

[@modestacattaruzza7400]

Please don't talk like that, Toni. I have been in the Us they have great food . If you want Italian, you can go d real Italian or Italian American. You can go and find any ki d of food from many countries. As far as fashion, people who want to dress well they can and do, and no one will criticize on what you wear. So , life is what you make it. If are an unhappy person , you can go anywhere and you will never be happy.

[@Jo.King_]

La doggie vita…?😅

[@nicolettastrada5976]

Ahhhh che ridere

[@pookiewookie7679]

US Americans should stay in the US. Please 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@judithburgess952]

That's a rather boring and negative comment

[@hewitc]

Italian food is great. I love it. But I don't want it every single day. American steak houses and Asia/Indian cuisine are also great. But in Italy it is very hard to find anything but Italian food. It's boring and a negative.

[@carolc1543]

Florentine steak is amazing. There are a variety of types of food in Rome. Pretty decent Mexican place. One in Bari but I haven’t tried. Chinese is Scalea. Excellent American place in Rome when it’s needed.

[@paolocarpi4769]

Because you should learn to cook. And then you can cook whatever you want. Not knowing how to cook is boring and negative.

[@mrlaleather]

Learn how to cook. You just use fresh ingredients

[@paolocarpi4769]

​@@mrlaleatherAnd what would this mean?

[@alessandrom7181]

It's boring for people accustomed to live in melting pot like USA Is. We don't want to end up like USA at all. Also you can cook at home. Duh.

[@underdawg2743]

Spain is a much better place to live and work in than Italy....

[@RafaelDiFuria]

I take it you have personal experience? What in particular do you notice is better?