First Impressions of Italians/Florence

From walking around all day in the city and seeing Italians, tourists and listening into conversations, I thought I would write down my first understandings. Some of them may be completely off the mark, but I feel that learning about the culture is a process which I would like to track.

Italian Elderly, are everywhere! It is much different than America. There are elderly people out and about, even though they can hardly walk. They usually have someone accompanying them but not always. There seems to be a great respect for the Elderly here, and instead of dealing with them as a hassle such as in America, they are still very active in the community.

I got lost walking to the Train Station ieri and asked a man ” Dove il statzione del treno” I was a ways away from the station and directions would be hard to remember, so he told me to follow him. At first I was nervous, being the typical white girl that I am, but it only took me a few seconds to realize that he was simply being nice. I wonder how many touristi he has to give directions to, or show them how to get places. But it was a nice gesture.

I asked him where I could go in Florence without any touristi, he said there is none. When I thought about it, tourists are so much a part of the life of the city. The restaurants, negozi, markets, bars, le cafe they would not exists or survive without people bringing loads of money there!

Italians are not snobs when it comes to speaking their language. Every time I spoke to an Italian and made mistakes they smiled, in an endearing way more than a mocking one. They usually engaged in conversation with much more emotion when I would them I wanted to learn and corrected me frequently. I think this makes sense because the language is so much a part of the culture. There are so many things that can not be said in english, or with the correct emotion. So when I say that I wish to learn the language, it is really saying that I appreciate their culture.

A majority of studenti Americani are obnoxious. I cant believe it sometimes. It is embarrassing to be associated with it, I really dont understand how they can be so rude and unaware that they need to understand the culture before acting so dramatically. SACI students especially. I’m sure once school starts I will the like students more. But last night I was hanging out with a few, who met their American friends at the duomo and went to an Irish pub for the night. Are they not at all interested in Firenze!!!!

I think I had more observations but now I forgot! I can also update this if I remember.
arrivaderci!

I have been frequently spending time with the Art here in Firenze and hope to post my complete observations of them.

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