The experience of the attitudes of the people I had in this city were overall better than anywhere else in Italy. Naples was a sleepy and quiet little place. I did not find much of an impression on the people there since the population was practically nonexistent other than those who were basking on the beach front: quiet, keeping to themselves, and relaxed.

Rome was accepting of just about every visitor imaginable: the tourist, the student, the local. They were not only open to speak English, I found myself a little frustrated by the fact that I could not learn as much Italian as I wanted to just because the locals insisted on letting me speak my native tongue, and appreciated how clear it was compared to the British accent they hear more often than anything. Unlike in Venice, Rome has made something out of tourism and has incorporated it into their culture. They profit from visitors not just financially, but allow people to become a part of their culture within the alleys, large and small. Venetians, however, seem to be drowning by the weight of it upon their little island now overcrowded with them.

I remember being on a bus headed back to my apartment in Trastevere while a woman sat down in the seat next to me. After finding out I was an American, she showed a lot of pity toward me and asked me how I felt about the new presidency. Not expecting the statement, I laughed. She tried to reassure me by talking about one of the past leaders and how she thought it would be the end of her country, then said that it was not, and that things were better later on. I didn’t know what to think other than that she was trying to help and didn’t know how. Her sudden kindness, however, gave me a look into the kindness of the people in this city. On multiple occasions I found myself talking to complete strangers about many different things. It was very different from my home in Seattle, or Port Orchard, even…where most people don’t even bother talking to people they’ve even met before.

During my month abroad, I found out that at least for the most part, local Italians will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable in their home country. It could be whether you believe it is to simply get business in their shops and restaurants or they want to meet and get to know more people. I have had experiences with both of these kinds of people. Telling the difference between the two took only a little time, and it was very different from what I was used to experiencing in America. The hospitality was very welcomed after experiencing so many cold shoulders.

First, I should mention that Italians, especially Romans, take a lot of pride in the food that is cooked in their workplace. When they invite you to eat in their restaurant, they ask as if it is their own home that they welcome you into, and offer the utmost hospitality as an advantage in their business. Because the city is flooded with restaurants, workers will compete with the restaurants all around them, be it their neighbor, or everyone in a busy, tourist-infested piazza.

I should also mention that one of their most foolproof ways to lure tourists into their restaurant is by having one of the waiters follow passersby, greeting them, offering things on their menu, and even offering a free glass of champagne when they walk in.

My roommates and I fell for one of these techniques after passing by the restaurant below our apartment a few times a day. The owners of “Al Ciccio Bello” said hello every time we passed, then eventually offered us a free drink should we decide to eat with them. Afterward, we became their regulars for the next week, and I managed to get free espresso when I pleased as long as I could maintain a broken conversation with the bartender of the place. These people were more into talking to us so that we could bring them business.

a night out at Almalu

However, the lines blurred when it came to our favorite bartender from a Trastevere bar called “Almalu,” right next to a big deal American-styled bar where all the American university frat boys gravitated toward to pick up chicks. The bartender here was talked about a lot by my classmates for her vibrant personality and strong Irish accent. She had the perfect persona to be behind the bar and served some of the most incredible drinks I could have imagined about. We were sad to leave her at the end of our trip and exchanged hugs and social media usernames to keep in touch.