A few years ago Liz and I spent a week in Villa Minozzo for a painting class in watercolours. There were a few people at this class and two of them were an English couple. The fellow, whose name I no longer remember, broke the strap on one of his sandals and could no longer wear them. We asked Fiona, our host, where we could get it fixed and she gave us some direction to another small town nearby. We found the building and when we entered, found a coffee shop on the main floor and asked for the shoe repair. We were told it was in the lower level and proceeded to go find the shop. An elderly gentleman was working in it and he told my friend that he could fix it. We went back upstairs and had a coffee while we waited. In a short while the gentleman came back up with the repaired sandal. When I asked him how much for the repair he looked at us and said “Eh! Un caffe”. Ah! Italians😊.
Je dois avouer que j’aurais probablement de la difficulté à m’adapter… Je t’admire pour ta capacité à voir le positif dans toutes choses. En réalité, les italiens nous apprennent à lâcher prise! J’en connais un qui se fâchera si je lui répond “Domani” trop souvent!
I love this: "... time is elastic, human connection comes before convenience, and beauty matters more than speed." And I'm considering adopting the word "domani," which would be so helpful to me, yet possibly not warmly accepted by my loved ones' culture. I always thought the smattering of "The Italianismo" was brought into our family through some in-laws. Still, perhaps I should check further... it feels pretty comfortable (except for the trash system). Such a fun piece, Tino.
I can surely relate to this one & all of the observations from a North American eye! But the pure essence of community here makes it all worth while. There was also a bus driver in Siena who drove us home 3AM after the bus broke down! In most other countries are only option would have been a cab.
I definitely can feel my mindset turning more “tranquillo” living here ☺️
Grazie Donatella
A few years ago Liz and I spent a week in Villa Minozzo for a painting class in watercolours. There were a few people at this class and two of them were an English couple. The fellow, whose name I no longer remember, broke the strap on one of his sandals and could no longer wear them. We asked Fiona, our host, where we could get it fixed and she gave us some direction to another small town nearby. We found the building and when we entered, found a coffee shop on the main floor and asked for the shoe repair. We were told it was in the lower level and proceeded to go find the shop. An elderly gentleman was working in it and he told my friend that he could fix it. We went back upstairs and had a coffee while we waited. In a short while the gentleman came back up with the repaired sandal. When I asked him how much for the repair he looked at us and said “Eh! Un caffe”. Ah! Italians😊.
Great story Mike, and that’s Italy. A beautiful Chaos.
C’est ce qui vous distingue de tout le monde et qui vous rendent unique (intenses, agréable et énergique)
Pour l’obtention d’un permis de conduire en Italie je dirais: pourquoi faire simple quand ont peut faire compliqué 😂
Effectivement, les choses simples semblent ennuyeuses. 🙄🤷♂️
Very humorous, Tino. 🤭
Italians are certainly enigmatic creatures. Either totally chill or dramatically reactive!
You’ll have to tell us about the latter some time. 😉
Ahaha...grande Tino. Mi fai sempre vedere il lato ironico del nostro stile di vita . Molto simpatico.
Bravo! I arrived here in 84 from California. Every day, there is something, but it's totally worth it.
Another delight Tino! Your stories just keep getting better!
You've brilliantly captured the essence of the Italian attitude toward life! :-)
Thank you again for always sharing the best stories .
Je dois avouer que j’aurais probablement de la difficulté à m’adapter… Je t’admire pour ta capacité à voir le positif dans toutes choses. En réalité, les italiens nous apprennent à lâcher prise! J’en connais un qui se fâchera si je lui répond “Domani” trop souvent!
Reading your story and the various descriptions of your experience put a smile on my face! Fun read!
I love this: "... time is elastic, human connection comes before convenience, and beauty matters more than speed." And I'm considering adopting the word "domani," which would be so helpful to me, yet possibly not warmly accepted by my loved ones' culture. I always thought the smattering of "The Italianismo" was brought into our family through some in-laws. Still, perhaps I should check further... it feels pretty comfortable (except for the trash system). Such a fun piece, Tino.
I can surely relate to this one & all of the observations from a North American eye! But the pure essence of community here makes it all worth while. There was also a bus driver in Siena who drove us home 3AM after the bus broke down! In most other countries are only option would have been a cab.
I definitely can feel my mindset turning more “tranquillo” living here ☺️
Hey Mica yes for sure the nonchalant side makes up for the rest.
So real how their culture actually fits in with their daily activities! 👌
Beautiful Italy, but please don’t ask me to wait until 9.30pm to have dinner, ie unless you don’t mind your dinner partner being fast asleep 💤😂
Allo Francine, mes racines italienne m’aident à voir le côté de la culture italienne. Selon moi ça ne s’apprend pas, c’est culturelle.