Life in Italy
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Purpose
I moved to Italy in 2006 after retiring from an academic career in an American
university (see "about me"). The purpose of this page is to share a little bit of my
experience living in Italy.
Life in Italy is a source of endless fascination for foreigners visitors as well as those
who move to Italy for work or following retirement. There are dozens of internet sites,
blogs, books and movies that describe the process of adapting to life in Italy. A
number of books have been written that attempt to "explain" Italy to foreigners. One of
my favorites is Bepe Severgini's book entitled The Italian mind. This well known
giornalist notes that accounts of Italy generally fall into one of two broad categories.
Italy is presented either as
(Severgini observes that type 1 accounts are generally offered by women whereas
the rants and tirades of type 2 accounts are generally penned by men.)
I'll admit to having passed a period of crisis several years after moving to Italy. For a
time I found it hard to deal with the many inconveniences that accompany everyday
life in a small Italian town. Lots of little things began getting on my nerves. For
example, the fact that "Torno subito" on a shop door indicates a time period that can
range from 2 minutes to 2 weeks.
But I gradually recovered from this winter of disconent, partly by developing greater
insight into basic cultural realities (understanding, for example, that "Torno subito"
often means "Come find me at the corner bar if you need me") and partly by
discovering the joy of complaining. I learned that, unlike in the US where
complainers and whiners are scarcely tolerated, in Italy you can almost always find
an appreciative audience of people who are happy to sympathize with your
unhappiness when some simple transaction runs amok and who will, most likely,
happily contribute some of their own impressive "horror stories". All of which creates
real bonds of human understanding and solidarity.
In the end, I came to understand that Italy is neither a terrestrial paradise nor a hell
on earth. It's a place where everyday life presents a series of challenges, yes, but a
place but where virtually no one feels lonely or disconnected.
What you'll find here
You'll find four general kinds of info here:
I moved to Italy in 2006 after retiring from an academic career in an American
university (see "about me"). The purpose of this page is to share a little bit of my
experience living in Italy.
Life in Italy is a source of endless fascination for foreigners visitors as well as those
who move to Italy for work or following retirement. There are dozens of internet sites,
blogs, books and movies that describe the process of adapting to life in Italy. A
number of books have been written that attempt to "explain" Italy to foreigners. One of
my favorites is Bepe Severgini's book entitled The Italian mind. This well known
giornalist notes that accounts of Italy generally fall into one of two broad categories.
Italy is presented either as
- A country that oozes art, elegance and unhurried charm, a place where
emotions run free and deep and every adversity can, in the end, be overcome
with a smile; or - A thoroughly corrupt country on the brink of collapse where hardly anything
works, where hardly anyone pays taxes and nearly everyone cheats and
steals, etc. etc.
(Severgini observes that type 1 accounts are generally offered by women whereas
the rants and tirades of type 2 accounts are generally penned by men.)
I'll admit to having passed a period of crisis several years after moving to Italy. For a
time I found it hard to deal with the many inconveniences that accompany everyday
life in a small Italian town. Lots of little things began getting on my nerves. For
example, the fact that "Torno subito" on a shop door indicates a time period that can
range from 2 minutes to 2 weeks.
But I gradually recovered from this winter of disconent, partly by developing greater
insight into basic cultural realities (understanding, for example, that "Torno subito"
often means "Come find me at the corner bar if you need me") and partly by
discovering the joy of complaining. I learned that, unlike in the US where
complainers and whiners are scarcely tolerated, in Italy you can almost always find
an appreciative audience of people who are happy to sympathize with your
unhappiness when some simple transaction runs amok and who will, most likely,
happily contribute some of their own impressive "horror stories". All of which creates
real bonds of human understanding and solidarity.
In the end, I came to understand that Italy is neither a terrestrial paradise nor a hell
on earth. It's a place where everyday life presents a series of challenges, yes, but a
place but where virtually no one feels lonely or disconnected.
What you'll find here
You'll find four general kinds of info here:
- "Travel tips" is under construction. It will include practical information such
as "how to purchase a train ticket" (not so obvious!) to "how to reserve a hotel
room while in Italy (again, not quite what you'd expect). - "Useful Italy links. A listing of my favorites, including -- but not limited to --
links to museums, travel and transportation sites, and sites dedicated to
Italian history and culture. - "Property for sale in Tuscania. This is for someone who, like me, might wish
to retire to Italy. - "Where to stay" when visiting Tuscania. This is for users of the site who may
wish to take me up on the invitation to come here to "talk shop" over a glass
of wine!
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