Last month I posted a survey for Italophiles and asked what the big deal is anyway, with this stiletto boot-shaped country. I mean, yes we have wine. Yes, we have cheese. We even have nice hills and valleys. But come on people … what’s to love?
The answer was a resounding EVERYTHING. But to be a bit more specific, many respondents 1) professed their love of Italians (and come on, can you blame them? Those are some purty people.) and 2) ranted about the food and wine … and I gotta admit, the food *is* pretty darn good.
History and architecture came in a close third.
But not everyone agreed. Here is a breakdown and summary of other survey responses.
“(Italy) fits me. I am slower, more contemplative and I like pretty shiny stuff, too.”
“The sound of dishes clanking and the voices floating into my apartment during lunch time.”
“Sitting outside lovely cafes, people watching.”
“No one speaks English-and I love it!”
“Strolling in the piazza.”
“The opportunity to raise a bilingual child.”
And a few of the funnier responses …
– “You are not considered a wino for having a glass of vino with lunch.”
– “The RyanAir flight out … ha ha ha.” (Proof that not all expats are happy campers!)
– “I love the way Italians talk with their hands! I love the cobblestones … unless I am wearing high heels!”
And here are a few quotes from some of the more outspoken respondents who didn’t mind putting their name out there.
“Being Italian is always better!!!” – Paola (I know, Paola. My husband says the same thing!)
“Everybody, at least once in their lifetime, should get to vacation in Italy. It’s really a *must have* experience.” – Under Western Skies (I couldn’t agree more. Italy really *does* have something for everyone.)
“Sometimes it’s worth sacrificing modern convenience for the stately beauty of the past.” – Joanne (Sometimes it is, Joanne … sometimes.)
“I love being in a place where you can peel back the layers of art and history just walking down the street – from contemporary through baroque, renaissance, middle ages.” – Ciaochowlinda (Beautifully said, CiaochowLinda … it is like walking back through time.)
“You always want what somebody else has …” – Stephanie (So true, Stephanie. We might not have all-night pharmacies here, but life could be worse.)
“Find a way to save money and schedule a visit! Life is short.” – Martha (Amen!)
Special thanks to Think on It!, Always Italianissima, Under Western Skies, Amore e Sapore di Famiglia, Friends and Family in Italy, Un Calitrano Sordo, Lumignano Adventures, Frutta della Passione, Anne in Oxfordshire, Ciao Chow Linda, Andrea Unplugged and all of my other blogless friends for your assistance with this survey.
If you have read this list and still haven’t found enough reasons to love Italy, then read Italofile’s 20 Things We Love About Italy post. Surely you can find something there …
And lastly … do you remember that contest I had going on back in February? Well, we have a winner. Congratulations to Qualcosa di Bello, who interestingly enough made my day when I clicked over to her site after she won and saw “Light a candle for Cherrye and her family,” in response to the recent death of my father. I didn’t even realize she’d written that and it made a tough day a little easier to bear. So, thank you and congratulations on your prize.
Is there something you love about Italy that isn’t already listed? I love the laid-back atmosphere, being able to travel (mostly!) by train and the excitement of living in a stunningly beautiful country. What about you?
My one year anniversary is coming up (Wednesday). This post have given me some food for thought. To pick up and completely uproot my life was kind of crazy, no? ha
A year already? Wow. That flew. And crazy … well, aren’t we all? 🙂
nyc/carribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Rome’s Auditorium Parco Della Musica a must for lovers of music and/or architecture.
Funny stuff, C. I’d agree with *everything*- until I lived there and had to deal with the post office!
Ha. You have heard correctly, Robin.
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Did anyone on the survey mention the GELATO? That alone is worth the fare to Italy.
You know, I threw that in with “food,” but that was a definite oversight on my part! lol
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Affection…My Italian relatives in Sicily had only met me for the first time and they were far more affectionate and close with me than my other relatives in the United States. One’s personal space is a lot smaller in Italy (and other Mediterranean countries), and people are physically closer, without it having all the implications that physical proximity seems to have in this country (USA). And of course, as a result, PDA is more common. I love to watch young couples holding hands and smooching in the parks. PDA is one of the first things I notice as soon as I get off the plane in a medditeranean country. It warms me inside and makes me feel more human when I see it.
Oh yea, PDA is definitely more out in the open here than in the US … but less, I think than in Paris!
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I love that fresh mozzarella and good cheese is so cheap, but I’m sure someone mentioned the food.
I love the fact that you can walk into any old bar for lunch and have a good plate of pssta for about 5 euros.
Also the pretty scenery….
Anyway I left my expat life in Italy so if you had a list of things that you don’t like about Italy I could write tons. I’m happy I went there and lived there but am happier I left, but for a vacation I’ll have to say that Italy is great (now that I know some Italian and a little how Italy works and hopefully wouldn’t get scammed or ripped off by taxi drivers, restauranteers..the list goes on of those who take advantage of 1 time visiting tourists)
Yikes, I hear you. There is such a drastic difference from living in and visiting Italy. I hear you. I am glad you are happy about the experiences you had, though.
AC Milan.
AC who?
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