I was wondering if anyone had any perceptions of Italy that were completely false when they got there.

For instance, I just assume everyone in Italy sits around at cafe's all day long drinking espresso and eating canoli...this probably isn't true.

As a tourist what have you been disillusioned with once you got there?

Or as an Italian, do you hear stories about Italy that are just not true that outsiders really think are?

In the evening, particularly in small towns, the view of older guys around a table drinking coffee or wine and playing cards or discussing is a pretty familiar image. They might not eat cannoli all day long but the stereotype is pretty close. I have not seen the same scenes in Rome however but I see them all the time I cross a small town in Italy.

1) We are not a Nation of mafiosi, just a 0,01% of us is, no need to bring the label on every Italian. We're not even violent and hot-blooded, we like to argue loudly and this may mislead.
2) The stereotypical Italian as greasy, short, fat and not clean is completely untrue. In fact we are moreless as tall as most Southern Europe people, we are cleaner than most of them, and surely the percentage of fat people here is much lower than in the US.
3) We're not a whole Nation of Catholic fanatics, in fact Atheism here is very strong, especially amongst young people, and other religions are pretty common and accepted also. Sadly the laws still are inadequate to this change of the 100% of Catholicism there was in the 20's.


There are many more untrue ones, but one is completely true:
Our constant gesticulating: we truly do that all the time, and for us it's a common thing to have tired arms after a long conversation.

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EsteriCult

This might be of interest to some members of the Forum.

After teaching a children's camp in Umbria in July this year, the impression was of lots of yummy mummies in Mini Coopers and children all in designer clothes!

That being said, I quite enjoyed the pursuit of bella figura and I am looking forward to the influence on my wardrobe, I have yet to see anyone badly or slobbily dressed.

It is said that you need 'connections' to get anything done in Italy but the ease I have had so far in making connections, leads me to believe, that if I remain positive and appreciate the help I receive and importantly, pass it on, that I should be okay.

I have to say my impression is that all the food is delicious ang that everyone cooks really well and that I have nothing to add, but I hope there is room for my culinary endeavours.

The image of old people playing cards outside a bar in the afternoon remember me scenes of my grandfather. Yes, it still happen in small villages, but no coffee or cannoli, some vine and beer indeed.
For “cannoli” you mean that cache with cylindrical shape full of cream? If yes, I can assure they are not eaten in the scenes above descripted.

I think, as for the experience with moms and their well dressed children, that it is possible to see all the things you all told, but just take them for facts not generalized. May be in another camp, the most of mummies arrived via train.

Ciao

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** Stev **

Wow, the idea of people playing cards and drinking coffee and wine around a table sounds a lot like the Italian-American traditions that I was raised with...good memories!

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Dimmi con chi vai e ti dirò chi sei.