Italian Culture
In Italy, Evil Always Comes From Abroad
Living in Italy for many years now, one of my favorite pastimes is admiring the Italian culture and its many peculiarities. Today while watching the weather report it occurred to me that here in Ita... more...
Day of Reckoning for Public Officials
I’m starting to really like this guy. Minister Renato Brunetta began stirring up controversy in Italy several months ago when he proposed a law that would require adult Italian children to move ... more...
Best 15 Italian Swear Words (Parolacce)
Sadly for some, amusing for others, when learning about the Italian culture and language many of the first words one acquires are the naughty ones. Italian is no exception to the rule. Here is a list ... more...
10 Must-see Films Before Coming to Rome
While sightseeing in Rome, there is a fascinating phenomenon that I like to call “If these cobblestones could talk”. With over 2,700 years since its founding, the list of historic icons wh... more...
Italians Give New Meaning to Clean
When it comes to being clean, Italians top the European Charts. A recent poll found that Italians clean their houses more often than any other Europeans. This does not come as a surprise to me, as si... more...
Ten Reasons Why Italians Are Thinner
Some of the most common remarks I hear from tourists visiting Rome are “You never see any fat Italians! How come Italians are so thin when all they eat is pasta and pizza? Though it may seem as ... more...
Top Ten Italian Proverbs
Italian humor is really quite funny. Whatever the occasion, no matter how sad, scandalous or joyous, they have an appropriate saying. While some reflect the Italian propensity towards superstition, o... more...
Italians and the Dreaded Colpo D'Aria
Living in Italy for the last 10 years or so, I have had the chance to observe and ponder on many of the cultural curiosities that set it apart from much of the rest of the world. Having grown up in an... more...
Italian Stallion
Italian Men are a breed of their own. All these years of living in Rome have taught me many things about the particularities of the proverbial 'Italian Stallion''. While we cannot paint them all with ... more...
Bartender for Life
We all know that food in Italy is more than just way of life, it is practically a religion. The people who work within the food industry consider their occupations as a way of life too, and the lif... more...
Italians on Festa Della Donna
Having lived in Rome for over ten years, I have always been curious about the phenomenon of Festa della Donna or “Women’s Day”. My first introduction to the holiday was as a stu... more...
The Roman Love for Exact Change
A recent trip to the supermarket in Rome started me thinking about an interesting phenomenon in this city. I happened to be in line behind a sweet elderly woman who had only a bag of onions in her ... more...
The Scary Truth About Italian Bureaucracy
A close-up look at 10 simple tasks, how long it takes to get them accomplished, and some insider tips on how to cut through red tape in Italy. 1. Mailing a letter abroad. Many would estimate about 7-... more...
Lousy Service in Rome
Having lived in Italy for many years, I have heard horror stories from many a tourist about being treated badly by people in the service industry in Italy. It is sad to see tourists come away from ... more...
Italian Survival Guide - Part One
This short set of lessons is meant to serve as a basic survival guide which will help you gain confidence in communicating in Italian at the beginner level. Whether your goal is to communicate with... more...
