We realized many years ago that enjoying life in Italy requires adopting a certain mindset. So, in the spirit of brevity and good blogsmanship (is that a word?) we’ve distilled years of travel, hours of research, and conversations with fellow other experienced Italophiles into “The Four Rules” for living in Italy.
- Simple tasks cannot be completed efficiently or within a reasonable amount of time.
- Documented instructions and procedures will change without notice or reason.
- Previous experiences are unreliable models for future dealings.
- Ambiguity drives communications and flexibility is the key to enjoying the ride.
So, plan for the worst, hope for the best and be prepared to adjust your expectations. Set aside feelings of frustration, urgency and defeat. Embrace the concept that whatever must be accomplished today will wait until tomorrow…or next week…or next month…or never. When all else fails exercise the unwritten Fifth Rule…find the nearest gelato shop and order four scoops.
If the next year is anything like our previous Italian adventures, we’re sure to have some informative and funny anecdotes as well as remembering some past experiences about…
Goats in the Road
Finding His Italian Roots
Where’s the AC?
The $10 Mellon
Taxi Napolitano
Small Change
Connecting With Locals
Maps versus GPS
To all our web friends (you know who you are) who have led the way, provided valuable advice and inspired us, we say “grazie mille”.
You're starting off with the right attitude and with your eyes wide open - to the potential pitfalls as well as the joys and experiences that will come your way. When gelato fails, a glass of wine will help!
ReplyDeleteLet's try this again.......this is a test, if this had been an actual emergency, etc. etc.
ReplyDelete"Arrivederci"
*SO* cute and funny, Carol (or was it Bill?) and very true. Every day is an adventure! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteValerie, No matter how wide our eyes are opened,I'm sure we'll be adding to the list of *rules* :)
ReplyDeleteTom, Please come back often.
Cherrye, Bill is the witty one.....I'm just sarcastic!
Michael, Does sarcasm work in Italian? ;-)
LOVE this! Very good advice...you definitely have the basics down ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm Italian (Sicilian to be exact). I think many of the things you said are true. But I don't think they are necessarily bad aspects, however I admit it can be difficult for a stranger to bear this way of living. These aspects would be even nice if they were within certain limits.
ReplyDeleteBy the way... ciao a tutti.
finally catching up on the earlier posts and comments ....and learning blogging etiquete. Sorry for the delay but.....thank you all for joining us and we hope you come back often
ReplyDeleteciao!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your journey, from another Italophile! I look forward to following the adventure.
Divertatevi!
Great list! So true :) And not necessarily in a bad way, because the way you created that list was through great stories right?
ReplyDeleteHi, Sally shared you are back in Italy. How great! Your life sounds wonderful!! Hope you, Alex, and Bill are well. Jackie
ReplyDelete