Why it is that traveling Americans are always so dreadful.” Dodsworth by Sinclair Lewis

MYTHS VS FACT You decide HOW ARE WE PERCEIVED AS AMERICANS?

We cannot dispute the fact that America is known as a force in the world, both economically and for our military. We are loved and despised for our social freedoms, admired for the opportunity given to each and every citizen to have a chance to pursue his/her dream. It is no wonder why so many foreigners want to come and live here. Look at our borders. Daily people risk their life to get here. That position was one I had heard time and again from my well traveled parents in the 50’s and 60’s. And is still applicable today for some cultures. But is it applicable to Italians? Do other Italians still envy the USA so much that they all want to become American? There has been a change in attitude over the past thirty years with regard to our culture. The whole world no longer envies us as they once did. As a conscientious traveler, we must ask ourselves what brought on the change? One reason is that Italy has changed. The quality of life has improved dramatically in western European countries since WWII. Life is much better now for Western Europeans and therefore many are less likely to want to leave.

VIGNETTE: I was sitting in the piazza in Portofino with another Italian guide waiting for our group to gather. Many, many groups entered the piazza in Portofino during a day. “See that group?” I was asked by my colleague, “yes.” “They are American.” “How can you tell?” “Well, all the other groups come to the piazza and view it from the side, but this group came into the very middle of the piazza and claimed the entire center, as if they intended to conquer it.”. Do they still love us? Yes, they do. Do they want to move to the USA? No, they don’t.

HOW DO WE PERCEIVE ITALIANS?

They do not like to work and have a lot of holidays. Great food and bad government. They drink a lot of wine They seem to have a lot of strikes. They live with their mothers. They adore the Madonna. They dress well and pose. They are all in the mafia.

HOW TO RELATE TO PEOPLE-Italian Style In a fast moving world, I believe we have forgotten how to communicate with real people. We email, phone and Skype. It is no longer necessary to look people in the eyes when conducting our daily transactions. Italian Style- is all about how you treat people. It is about maintaining the human element throughout our daily lives. Courtesy. Look directly in the eye, and acknowledge whomever you are speaking with. Take your time and begin with small talk first. The actual reason for your visit is secondary and comes after the social graces have been satisfied. Remember: People first, then business.

VIGNETTE: I had an encounter with an Italian shop keeper. Her comment, “I see you speak some Italian, may I ask why is it that Americans never look us in the eye or acknowledge us when they enter our store? We feel badly that they do not acknowledge us. Is it because you have grande magazzini (big warehouses) and you do not need to speak with anyone? Or is it because you think you are better than everyone else?” When visiting an artisan or food producer, be mindful when you schedule the appointment, to allow enough time. As Americans we are known as “Sempre in Fretta” Always in a hurry. The visit will take as long as it takes. More often than not, the host will offer you something to eat or drink or perhaps even a small gift as a positive memory “Ricordo” of the experience. This happens all over Italy. Try to not rush off.

GREETINGS: Learn a little Italian; it will go a long way. This is not a language book. But you cannot expect to travel around Italy using only English. Americans all to often begin encounters in English. You need a few basic words of Italian to make your experience more rewarding. We want to be better travelers. We want to be respectful and savvy about the country we are going to. Then give it a go, and try to speak the language!

Italian Alphabet: 21 letters No J, K, X, Y, W

Lesson # one. Our culture has lost all formality in our use of English. We say “ Hi, how ya doin’? To everybody without ever stopping to listen to the answer. Romance languages are more formal and will address different people within the society respectfully based on the intimacy or lack thereof in the relationship. Your greeting sets the tone of the interaction.

Don’t use “ciao” unless you know the person well. We all know the word and may even use it in the USA. “Ciao” is a very informal greeting meaning hello or goodbye. It is used when greeting people you know well; family, peers, or to greet small children and dogs. Remember: It is okay to kiss, (both cheeks) men and women.

Please learn and use at least two of the following:

Buon Giorno- Good Day

Buona Sera- Good Afternoon (begins around 16:00 ish)

Buona Notte- Good Night (final salutation when going to bed)

ArriverderLa. – Good bye to you (Formal) Arriverderci. – Good bye to you (Plural/informal)

Buona Giornata- Have a good day! Salve`- Health (Old trail greeting-informal)

POLITE PHRASES:

Scusi- Excuse Me

Prego You are welcome

Mi dispiace- I am sorry

Lei Parla inglese?- Do you speak English?

Non parlo l’Italiano I do not speak Italian.

Grazie Hear me… Three syllables Grah-ts’-yeh NOT Gra-z!!!

And if you like what you’ve been reading, like us on Conde Nast Traveler’s Travel Specialists List, where I’ve appeared for the last four years straight.

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]]> http://www.italianconcierge.com/cat-abc/italian-language-learn-some-before-you-go/feed 0 http://www.italianconcierge.com/cultural/as-the-euro-and-snow-fall http://www.italianconcierge.com/cultural/as-the-euro-and-snow-fall#comments Sun, 28 Nov 2010 00:14:45 +0000 joyce http://www.italianconcierge.com/?p=150 When is the best time to travel to Italy?

I just finished searching for mileage flights  on line so that I can return to Italy this winter.   You see winters are long and hard at 9,800 ft above Aspen, Colorado where we reside.  Considering that we are still technically in autumn, and have already had over a week of below zero days many of them with snow, it did not take much effort to convince myself to spend those 110,000 miles on two flights, and to go back to Italy for two months to reside for the remainder of the winter.  Italy has to seem balmy after five winters at this elevation. Hold that thought, and add to the flame,   a stronger dollar ( how this happened I will never know) and it makes Italy seem like a deal this winter.

When in Italy and when I do not need  to travel for R&D ( research and tour development) I stay outside of Firenze.  Being located off of SS2, the highway that links Siena and Florence is a most convenient location.  One can reach either city easily by bus.    Should the Euro continue to weaken against the dollar ( currently at 1.32), this will be the winter to be there.  Why, even a cappuccino  at Proccaci in Florence will seem like a deal.   I would much rather be sipping my” cappuccio ” between well heeled Fiorentines,  instead of elbowing my way between the “hey-dudes” at Cafe Ink in Aspen and then to add insult to injury paying close to  $5.00 for a latte.

Why not look for flights deals now?  Off season fares are ridiculously low from now until the end of March, when the warm weather returns.   You could mark your calendar by the spike in fares as soon as the thermometer leans towards 60.  But why not go now?

I look forward to hearing only Italian spoken during these winter months, a rare event in the travel worn Art Cities of Rome, Florence and Venice.  When Italy returns to the Italians that is when I want to be there.  Last Year I went to Calabria in February.  It was warm and often wet,  and we wore only a rain coat (no gloves or hats, but of course a scarf).  Easy travel gear to bring if you ask me.  I was toting my new  Moschino black umbrella with different shapes of pasta placed in the shape of  hearts.   Darn , lost it at the museum in Locri, Calabria.  The sun was strong  when it peaked through the clouds , when we left the museum  and it glistened as it bounced off of the Ionian Sea.  I forgot about the umbrella.  But ten days is not enough to beat the winter blues even if you are site seeing  the  Bergamot  tree that only grows in Calabria.   It was easy to forget winter for those few days.

This year, I’ll be back in Aspen for the last twoweeks of spring skiing, when the nights are cold but the days warm up in the 40′s. But for the moment,  there are other things to do.      AIS- The Italian Sommelier Toscana Association has the Livelli Uno class offered late January and I am not going to miss it this year.

Enjoy Winter!

un bel cafe

And if you like what you’ve been reading, like us on Conde Nast Traveler’s Travel Specialists List, where I’ve appeared for the last three years straight.

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