2.22.2010

It is a PAIN to live in Europe! Trust me...

Okay, let's set aside all the glamour, ectasy and orgasmic pleasures that Italy has to offer. Yes, unbelievable experiences do abound in Italy making it all "worth it". Worth what you ask? Worth the pain. Yes, pain in the arse! At times living in Italy (and most other EU countries) is painful. Our American expectations in terms of service, efficiency and responsiveness are simply incongruent with European lifestyles at times.

Here is just a trivial sample of what you might experience when living abroad in Europe (especially Italy!):

1. "Not possible" - get used to the phrase all across Europe. Whether asking for a "free" glass of water out of the tap, or simply a small plate (for the bread and oil). This is the most common English expression we heard across the European continent. It has since become a joke for our family, but an ongoing reality too.

2. "Come back later" - in other words they elected not to do the work, don't know the answer, or simply forgot about it while they were on their smoke break, coffee break, or lunch break (or any other "break" they elect to take randomly during the day). The best part about it, is that an entire public office will take a "break" at the same time, instead of rotating in an orderly fashion. As a result, all work comes to a grinding halt when everyone decides to have a smoke and cup of espresso at 1000a, 1200p, 200p and 400p. ;)

3. "Take a number" - means start the waiting process for countless hours of sitting in line after line after line, only to get one or both of the responses above. This is particularly humorous when the Italian consulate in the USA has been so efficient, completing, processing and stamping things (like VISAs) in a matter of days, contrasted with months of waiting in Italy for a permesso (permit to stay). Oh yeah, we had snow 4 weeks ago, that caused a back up! (Honestly, we heard that one too!).

4. "You don't want that" - what do you mean? It is right here on the menu, I would like to have this glass of wine with this entree. Regardless of your pleadings if the Italian waiter doesn't want you to have a glass of Pinot Noir with your Pork, then guess what, they will bring you what they decide. Really! Remember in Europe, all the cultures have a "right" way of doing things, and a "wrong" way of doing things. If you are American and make the "wrong" selection, they will simply correct it for you. (But, what if I like Pinot Noir with Pork? Too bad.)

5. "Che sara sara" or "What will be will be". All the Italians complain about the incredible bureaucracy and complacency of government at every level. Yet, all of the Italians seem to play an instrumental role in actually upholding and maintaining their part of the bureaucracy. "What can I do?" they'll plead; I say "do your part, be more efficient!" "Why, Giacomo, there is no rush?"

6. "They are on holiday." This was my favorite response from local street vendors when I asked why certain shops were closed mid-week in January. Well its holiday of course! What holiday you ask? Well in addition to the 1-month that Italy shuts down for August, and the 20+ other paid holidays, saints' days, religious festivals and ceremonies, there is another 1-month holiday in Italy for January-ish to February-ish. Not so much business then, so why not shut down? Really!

7. "You can't drive there!" - and oh by the way, they're sending you a 150 Euro ticket in the mail. What!?! Really, it is true. The concept of ZTL (or zona traffica limita) exists throughout much of Europe for many cities to curb traffic in the inner cities and reduce congestion. A great idea - if they were MARKED! The problem is that too often what the "locals" know, is what the guide books and namely your GPS does not - the actual boundaries and hours of the ZTL. Even if the boundary of the ZTL is marked, then the hours may be incorrect (as is the case in Florence). Thus, if you drive at the times marked on signage, you'll still get a ticket (because you didn't know better). Ugh! (Note, one of our American friends relayed he received almost 600 Euros in fines for 1 circuituous trip through the ZTL). Watch out!

8. "Take a photo with me!" - but it will COST you money! Even though the characters, mimes and medieval soldiers all over Europe at major destinations are clearly standing in PUBLIC places, there is an unwritten rule that if you take your picture with one of them, then pay up! Seriously. Otherwise, expected to accosted and ridiculed by all the play-actors on the street.

9. "It's not time to eat." - this is perhaps my favorite response midday when traveling with 2 teenage boys. American concepts of restaurants being open during the day simply don't apply across much of Europe. You eat lunch between 1200p - 200p. Dinner is from 700p - 1100p. That's it. If you stay too long at a museum, try to look at one more church, visit one more shop, or stroll along just one more street, THEN you may just miss prescribed dining hours. If that happens, you're hungry and out of luck. Your best bet is a limp sandwich at a bar or street vendor. Ugh!

10. "That's a cover charge" - okay, thank God we are not required to TIP in Europe, because if you sit down anywhere, then expect to pay up to double the price for whatever you eat (coperto!). Sit down you ask? Yes, sit down and it will cost you 2x the price of standing at the bar to have a cup coffee ($2 v. $4), a croissant ($1.50 v. $3), or a Coke ($3 v. $6). Yes, that is $6 dollars to sit down and have a can of Coke!

For what it's worth, the above experiences sum up the most common misconceptions, mistakes and challenges that we have as Americans. As a culture, we Americans are generally pretty wound up and get agitated over little things. Myself included.

Somehow, most Europeans (especially the Italians) don't seem to be bothered by all these little nuances and challenges. They just go with the flow. Remember they are living within these same constructs too, so they're also dealing with ravenous teenage boys. It just requires a little planning ahead, street smarts, and a bit more care-free attitude.

Whereas I have had a tendency to get frustrated with non-compliant waiters and businesses closed midday, my wife has adapted incredibly well to this laissez-faire culture. Unlike myself (who has demonstrated too many Ross-like outbursts on Friends!), my wife Janelle has shed her Type-A tendencies (aka Monica on Friends!) to become a bit more cafe-free (aka Phoebe on Friends!). What a shift, but a healthy one at that.

Life is short she reminds me. Che sara! Sara!

9 comments:

  1. Oh dear you do not sound very enamoured with the Italian lifestyle today.
    I feel some of the moans you have are maybe exaggerated by the fact that you live in a large city?
    Things are done differently here and you have to learn to adapt, A lot of how they live does make sense. As your wife says life is too short!
    Hope you feel happier soon.

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  2. Anonymous23.2.10

    OH my gosh... Janelle has gone from Monica to Phoebe... you have no idea how well that resonates with her old college roommate from the years when FRIENDS was big-time important to all self-loving college freshmen. LOVE it... hilarious!!

    :) Monica (still Type A)

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  3. Giacomo: I hope everyone knows YOU wrote this. And that the cultural differences were really the more a source of humor and character-building than tantrum-throwing. Besides, we all know that in America where we work 60 plus hour weeks with ne'er a vacation... we miss out on life. So I hope any Europeans that read your list of 10 give a thumb-to-nose gesture to Americans and say "get a life." Because that is what we yearned for: a slower pace, more time, no rush, fewer deadlines. And what did we find out? Pros and cons with each;)))) Tiamo!

    LindyLou: LOL he gives me much credit, yes? It has been a remarkable experience---for our boys AND the parents---to be taught by one culture and wisely tempered by another;). I LOVE about the Italians: when things make sense. So true!

    Monica: aw shucks. Now I just need to dress the part? Woo-hoo!

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  4. Susie VG23.2.10

    You guys are a riot. The post and the response. So true to both. I am still experiencing some reverse culture shock. The other day, I thought, it's lunch time, the store's going to be closed. and at another lunch time, I thought the parking meter was going to be free. Ahhh, to my relief and my disappointment, I realized I am no longer in Italia... Ciao, Ciao!

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  5. I am laughing so hard. :-) This is SO SO true! Absolutely love this post. You've just summed up so many frustrations I've had living overseas. Love it. :-)

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  6. LindyLouMac: No malcontent intended. For heaven's sake, I'm 2nd generation Italian! Just sharing the facts that life in Europe is a little different from the USA. Nothing bad, just an adjustment of "expectations." Janelle and I both love Europe and all it offers. Next post from me will be entitled: "Why it is Worth the PAIN." - Look for it later this week.

    Everyone Else: Thanks for your comments and feedback. Glad this post could offer some familiar laughs for those of you who have lived through the PAIN (and learned to adjust too!). As Janelle pointed out, this is from my perspective. Janelle's amiable personality and beauty result in many more "helping hands" from those Italian men eager to help her out. For me, on the other hand, "Take a number!"

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  7. Alicia Silva JUlian and cristobal's mom23.2.10

    welcome to the real life hahahah we laugh so hard with this post
    you will be transformed and will now feel akward with the efficiency in the US trust me
    you will become transplants and will have to surrender
    Lots of love from Mexico

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  8. Giacomo - It was a very amusing and well written post and I look forward to hearing why it is worth the pain in your next instalment. Even coming from another part of Europe moving to Italy was a culture shock at first but the pros heavily outweighed the cons and it has never been a pain:)

    Janelle - Love your response and happy to hear you are all finding your stay in Italy a remarkable experience.

    Keep writing, it always interesting to read about 'life' from different perspectives.

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  9. Anonymous28.2.10

    I truly loved reading this post (and all of the other posts to date!) and it is so fun to read about 'life' in Europe. I've only been lucky enough to travel to Switzerland, so my experiences in Europe are extremely limited, but isn't that why we travel? Just to experience the joys and frustrations of another way of life. I'm certain you know how wonderful this adventure is for your family and what an amazing gift you have given your children - something your family will remember forever! thank you so much for sharing all of it with the rest of us!!

    Barb

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