1.
There is a difference sense of Time here than in
North America. The trains are very
punctual, but a 9:00pm start time to a movie is really just a marker. The first movie I saw over here (the new
Twilight installment) actually had a 10 minute intermission in the middle. Kind of classy, useful from a bathroom break
perspective, but mildly annoying to about three-quarters of the audience.
2.
It takes two weeks of daily patronage at the
local bar before the nice counter staff recognize you as a regular
customer. After that they’ll ask if you’d
like your usually order. Nice.
3.
Late Saturday and Sunday afternoons are the busiest
times in the stores. Sunday at 18:00 the streets are packed – people, dogs,
strollers, kids - shopping is an event here. You can spend 2-3 hours shopping,
even if you only need 1 thing that takes 5 minutes to buy.
4.
You always were a scarf – at least in the Fall.
I suspect the same will hold true in the colder months. I’m going to have to
ship all of mine back in a steamer trunk!
5.
Christmas is big here, and the city looks
enchanting with all the lights.
6.
Grocery shopping is a full-on contact sport.
Enough said.
7.
Italian men don’t wear shorts at the gym – they wear
nicely tailored, form fitting track pants. Foreigners wear shorts, so I’m sticking out
like a sore thumb – I hate working out in track pants.
8.
Cyclists in the city don’t wear helmets; think
they own road; will ride anywhere; but surprisingly they won’t run into you. There
is a hierarchy on the streets and everyone seems to know their place.
9.
Italians like to talk, so simple transactions
often result in lengthy conversations. Must be their Latin blood.
10.
Always smile and say “Salve” (Hello) to a store
clerk or shop owner. You will always get
what you want even if you don’t know how to ask for it in proper Italian.
Hard to believe I’ve been here for 5 weeks now. Time sure is
flying by!
