Only a short 48 hours ago, I was walking down the bustling streets of Rome, listening to the sounds of a violin and the faint din of conversation as I licked my dripping gelato. Now, sitting at my computer back home, I have diagnosed myself to having something I deemed as PTID- Post Traumatic Italy Depression. But although I'd like to blame the jet-lag, I know my feelings of tiredness and boredom stem from something more sentimental. I miss Italy's warmth and welcomeness, but most of all, the people. Something about the people in Italy are so different from those in America, and after pondering and searching the deepest recesses of my brain, I have come to the conclusion that it revolves around one central thing: their happiness.
Whether walking into a local bakery, boutique, or pizzeria, I was almost always greeted with a friendly "Buongiorno" or "Buonasera", and a smile. Of course, this didn't happen every time, and it's safe to say I experienced my fair share of that infamous indifference towards tourists. However, any animosity was completely understandable as I awkwardly stammered out my sloppy Italian and took a tedious amount of time to fish out and examine each individual euro before finally paying. But for a majority of the time, the overwhelming amount of warmth and kindness that I was shown was memorable.
So, why do I believe that people are happier in Italy? I think there are many explanations. Perhaps it's the fact that they do everything a little later than us. As our tour guide explained, they stay out later at night and then start work later the next morning. Whether it's because they bear more weight on the importance of wellbeing and health or they just simply prefer to take a few more minutes to slow down, their way of living is undeniably different from that in the United States.
While is Assisi, Italy, my family and I stopped to talk to a young woman working at a family-owned store that had been selling beautiful watercolors for over fifty years. While talking about her visit to New York City, she confided that she was unnerved how everything (and everyone) never goes "to sleep" and settles down, but is alive and alert 24/7. In Italy, it's common knowledge that around 2 pm everyone closes their various restaurants and shops and goes home to rest and spend time with their family, before reopening later. But in America, this is unheard of, as it is most-likely viewed to be a one-way ticket to bankruptcy. The general idea of a "break" is viewed somewhat of a luxury in the U.S, while it is simply expected in Italy.
Many tourists are devastated to learn that the phrase "to go" is unacceptable. There are no Starbucks; no speedily prepared low-fat no-whip caramel macchiatos with your name on the side for you to snag and swig on the train. You are expected to stand at the coffee "bar" and slowly sip (and enjoy) your simple cappuccino served in a ceramic cup. This emphasis on taking time for yourself to mentally prepare for the day ahead (or just chat with a longtime friend) is another thing unique to their culture. Even during lulls during the day, all the owners come out of their shops or boutiques, shouting a greeting to their friend across the street before striking up a leisurely conversation with their neighbor.
Maybe it's these little doses of time to themselves that the Italians take throughout the day that allows them to live a much more pleasurable, happy life, or maybe it's how they seem to hold human interaction and wellbeing to higher standards. But don't take my word for it, you should travel to Italy and look for yourself-- and maybe get some gelato while you're there. Ciao!
