Friday, June 21, 2013

Adjustments

I can't exactly say I'm experiencing culture shock. The movies I watched, the books I read, the music I heard, prepared me for what I am experiencing. However, there are some things I must get used to here. Minor, but worth mentioning, either for the hilarity or the queerness. I in no way wish to offend Italians.  This is just different than what I am used to.

1. Italy is small. The size of California, in it's entirety. This is great for traveling, but it causes a bit of miscommunication.  When I ask a student if they are from this area, they will tell me no if they were not born in Pisa. "No, I am from a town 15kilometers away."  That's less than 10 miles.  (They are from around here, but to them, it's far.) "Oh, exactly, I cannot throw a rock that far. How do you ever manage to see your family?"

2. Italians do not consider Sicily to be Italy. Though, the rest of the world does. (They do not have their own team at the Olympics.) Yesterday, I asked a woman where she was from.  She said Sicily with such a heavy accent I did not recognize it.  I asked her if it was close, and she said it's not in Italy. Hmmm.

3. Italians are simply modest about their language level. I can tell someone Io parlo poco Italiano. They will tell me they speak little English, then go on to tell me how rust oxidizes in English.  If I could say as much in Italian as they say in English, I would tell everyone I was fluent.

4. How do I put this nicely. The creators of the wonderful fairy tale of the honest boy Pinocchio, are not very honest when giving directions.  While in Viareggio I asked three people where the closest ATM was.  They all told me very different things.  DO NOT ASK ITALIANS FOR DIRECTIONS!

5. There is something in Tuscany called the slow food movement (to keep local food alive.)  You eat slowly and enjoy every bite. Well, I have not a drop of Italian blood in me. I eat food quickly about 8 times a day.  Yes, my three meals have become one continuous meal all day long.

6. Men will compliment you. Always.  I have begin to think it's not because they constantly want to be skin on skin, but rather because they just enjoy giving compliments. They appreciate beauty, and will tell you when they think you are of beauty.

7.  If you try really hard to speak Italian with them, they appreciate it.

8.  If you try really hard to speak Italian with them, and mispronounce one thing, they have no idea. NO idea.

9.  National pride in Italy is stronger than anywhere I've ever been.  I have an uncle who will only buy things made in the USA. Yet, he doesn't even touch the pride Italians have for their home.  They truly believe they have the best food, art, buildings, history, family life, language, explorers, etc...( In some ways I agree, they do have the best food, art, buildings, language, and their explorers found my country, so really I can't complain.)

10.  All Italians, all of them, love their wine.  They automatically assume you already know Italian wine is the best. Tell them you aren't sure, and they will let you sample everything.

11. Sometime train come, sometime not.

12. You know that awkward moment when someone catches you staring and you immediately look away.  For Italians, this is not awkward.  They will just keep on staring at you.

13. If I eat too many carbs, I will become flabby. (Pastas, pizzas, sugars, ice cream.) That's basically my diet minus a few fruits and vegetables.

14. Italians talk about how their soul feels in everyday conversation.  "My soul is at peace here," said to a stranger is just a normal as talking about the weather.

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