Through American eyes

I fear that I might have let some blog readers down, as the numbers have probably dwindled. So I attempt to make up for such boring and personal blogs with this one. The following is focused on culture and not on me. These are some observations that I've been meaning to write about for a long time.

I don't pretend to be an expert on the Italian culture, I've only been able to observe on my short stay of 3 1/2 months. I don't want it to seem as though I am generalizing or stereotyping either, only observing, and I know that there is always room for exception.

La Bella Figura

To understand the culture of Italy a bit better, one first must understand the code: "la bella/il bruto figura." The code applies to both the men and women of Italy. Essentially it could translate into the good/bad impressions one may leave. However, there is no equivalent concept in English.

To explain more about the bella figura, it takes a lot of pride upon outward appearances and good manners (no laughing loudly in public) resulting in making good impressions. Everyone seems attuned to the latest fashions, and tons of money is spent on clothing. Preference is given to money on clothes rather than their houses, where not much time is spent.

Upon first adventure into the Italian culture, an American might wonder if Italian men are, by nature, "metro-sexual." On the majority of cases, Italian men are well groomed and always put together. They differ from American men as they are assertive and very affectionate. Even with fellow men. It is not uncommon to see Italian kisses on cheeks as both greeting and farewell in a meeting. They will kiss your hand, hug you and kiss the temple of your head. They are more persistent, less likely to take no for an answer and more likely to make an obscene suggestion to an almost total stranger. However, not all, obviously, are like this.

Italian women, at first, can appear very intimidating. But once you break through the barrier and enter their "club" they are very nice. Italian women will not talk about themselves too much. It's this sense of "bella figura" they do not want to seem too eager to talk about themselves.

And perhaps this "code" is a part of other European cultures as well, as I have seen some aspects of it in other cultural contexts.

Added is the Italian purpose of a woman: to cook and clean for their men. Once married and even throughout old age, a mother's purpose and reason to live is to cook and clean for their boys. When the boys are grown up, their wives take over. It is a vicious cycle producing generations and generations of momma boys.

I have seen la bella figura played out in a few instances of personal experience.

If you want to run in Italy, or at the very least in Perugia, you better suck up your pride. My roommate Tina and I have found this amazing running park where there are various activities like outdoor ping pong tables, dirt bike paths, running paths, cycling circle track, a duck pond, etc. However, in order to get there, one must take the MINI METRO, straight across town. It is in this Mini Metro that one must wear their running clothes in. I can't tell you how embarrassing it is to do such an act. I'm not sure why it humbles me so to walk around town in running clothes, except for the fact that NO ONE DOES IT. NO ONE. And especially not women. I blame it on la bella figura. Women run, but they certainly don't walk around in such non-flattering clothes in public. This small aspect has really tried my patience lately. I don't like being stared at on the Mini Metro. It's annoying.

One other aspect was when one of my roommates put the trash outside our apartment door, as she had planned to take it out in a few minutes. However, one of our neighbors who just happened to be walking past our door and up the stairs took the liberty of reminding us where we put the bag and demanded that we get rid of it right way. She knocked on our door and pinched her fingers. PHEW. She said and told us that it was unacceptable to keep the bag out there. I guess that we were in bruto form at that time.

Italian Food

I am going to miss Italian food. I am not so excited to return to the number one obesity struggling country in the world, where the food is so processed and so junky, that it is making our country gain weight as a whole.

Food is food everywhere. But Europeans have a different view of food. While Americans lust for foods, Europeans appreciate it.

In my personal experience, I've found that Italy has a lot of organic foods, straight from the fields. Big chain grocery stores are not as common as America. While there are the grocery chains Coop and Despar, most foods will come from the local mom and pop shop or specialty stores like alimenatri which will sell special meats, cheeses, and olives. Italians pride themselves in the quality of food. Therefore, much food production is small-scale and not industrial. Because of that and because the Italian equivalent of the FDA is not run by food company executives like in the US, Italian food is generally better quality and what do you know?...better flavor.

Education in Italy

In Italy everyone can go to university. Prices for university aren't +$20,000 like in the US.

Although it is not mandatory, most do go. The most important aspect of university in Italia are the exams. The ultimate score of your exams give you the class rank. The jobs that you are able to apply for depends on your rank. Thus, Italian teachers expect you to do good. No attendance is taken, it's not necessary. Most Italians do show up to class because they need to pass the exams.

I also get the sense that it is hard to get a job once you are past a certian age in life. I was talking to this intern at my school. She is originally from Croatia but she now is studying in Perugia's University for Forgeiners. She was explaining to me how nervous she was since she was finishing her Master's degree so "late" in life. I think that she was only 27. When I told her that it was okay, she told me that it wasn't because she might not be able to get a job because she was too old.

The job market is tight in Italy. There is not a lot of job turnover. Often times, if you are a barista, you will stay a barista for life. Although I only frequent a small part of Perugia, I've noticed that it is common to see the same people work in the same place, every day. I've memorized faces, and even when I see them out of context, I can trace the "pizza guy" or "spice seller" to where they work.

The job market is why most families in Italia live together for such a long time (children with their parents.) It is too expensive to move out. Even if you do get a job, the salary in Italy is not a lot. It can even be at poverty level by American standards. Although, I'm not sure how the whole economy thing works here, I'm very interested in finding out.

Italian sense of time

Another valuable note to be made is Italy's sense of time. To a hardset, narrowminded American, they will discover that "American effeciancy" is not present here. Service in resturants are slow, sit down meals take about 2 1/2 hours, even when calling in someone to fix the heat, it may take longer than expected. Things happen when they happen.

Also in the area of grocery stores, can one find this rule. Nothing is open 24/7. Consider even the great "PAUSA" between hours of 1-5 where most traditional shops close down for a break.

I think it's because Italians enjoy life rather than clutter it up like many Americans. I feel like life here is less busy, while in the US we always have something to do, or a place to go, or a meeting to be at.

I find that most Italians value relationships over these things. Spending time with family and friends is more valuable here. People aren't as busy so that they can spend time with each other.

What is success anyways? Is it who has the most money or most demanding schedule? Or is it the person who has love?

All in all, I was discussing this with my friend from Moldova, Max and he made a good point. "Most important is not to observe how different the cultures are, but to be amazed by the fact that people are people in spite of their native country. Feelings and emotions are the same everywhere, which is pretty cool." I agree. I think that it's pretty cool.