Through my week long travel in Rome as well as the three days I have been in Florence, I have picked up on some Italian behavior. I have been mainly in the crowded cities of Italy and therefore have been able to observe the general public's display of behavior compared to the behavior of those back home in Indiana. There is a constant flow of people going to one place or another, and in Italy this is widely understood. People are only trying to get to their destinations, so if they bump into you on their trek, with out saying "scusa" it is not taken as an offense. As an American, if someone bumped into me back home without saying, "excuse me" I would most likely look back at the person expecting some sort of apology, and upon not getting one would rule them as a rude individual. My mindset has changed since being in Italy, the more you are surrounded by the flow of the culture, the more you get used to their daily behavior. Although I still try to stay out of everyone's way, if I get a bump on a shoulder, I just continue walking, or me, still having the American behavior engraved in my soul might say "scusa" even if I was not the one who bumped.
Another observation I have taken to is the fact that their side walks, if you will, are rather small. It is typically difficult to walk side by side with a friend unless one of them is on the road. People are also walking on the sidewalk in all directions, therefore, you either hold you ground and make the other person step off the side walk until you pass them, or you yourself must step off in order to give the other person enough room to pass by without having to do the awkward sideways shimmy. You might be thinking about the cars in Italian and the fact that walking on the street would be dangerous. And in a different situation you might be correct, but not this one. Although it is true, being on the lookout for moving vehicles including bicyclist is still of some concern, pedestrians typically always have the right of away. So if there is a car approaching the road you intend to step into, go ahead and step into that road, cross the street if you need to, the car will see you an slow down. On the other hand, make sure you are aware of the situation at hand because rules in Italy, even those for drivers of vehicles are typically seen as a suggestion rather than a real strict rule or law. This means that if you start to cross the road but a car is already close enough and not letting off the gas peddle even though they see your beginning steps into crossing the street, you better use your common sense and let that car pass first if you don't want to become an Italian flat bread. Italian roads are usually old and therefore typically do not have markings on them that tell the cars to stay on their side of the road, this means that streets where pedestrians walk can also be a road for cars to drive on. Car traffic is very light in these areas however, is the cars are typically more concerned about watching out for people than the people are for cars.
Although there are a million and one observations I could continue to write about, I will only tell you about one more. Italian street sellers. In America, if someone trying to sell something came up to you on the street, you would simply pay them no mind because they would be seen as sketchy. If they tried to talk to you, you would ignore them. Although this can be some similar actions to take toward street sellers if you don't want their attention, typically street sellers are not seen as creepy people who just plan to rip you off. I'm not saying this is true for all, but everywhere you look their are street sellers which make it easy for you to pick up a quick item you need such as a handbag, or post cards or clothes that can be quit pricey, and not because they are ripping you off, but because they are truly good quality. Street sellers with tents are typically the most reliable, and in Italy, depending on the common sense of observing the quality of the street seller, some can be compared to the highest quality of objects that could be compared to being bought in an American mall such as Francesca's clothing store. If you do not want anything they are offering you may say, "no Grazie" or ignore and keep walking.
Through all this talk of different behavior, it may sound as though it would be difficult to get used to the Italian culture. I say this is false, people can adapt. And with an open mind, understanding and respect for people and different cultures, it can be quit easy to mold your behavior into the new environment.
Another observation I have taken to is the fact that their side walks, if you will, are rather small. It is typically difficult to walk side by side with a friend unless one of them is on the road. People are also walking on the sidewalk in all directions, therefore, you either hold you ground and make the other person step off the side walk until you pass them, or you yourself must step off in order to give the other person enough room to pass by without having to do the awkward sideways shimmy. You might be thinking about the cars in Italian and the fact that walking on the street would be dangerous. And in a different situation you might be correct, but not this one. Although it is true, being on the lookout for moving vehicles including bicyclist is still of some concern, pedestrians typically always have the right of away. So if there is a car approaching the road you intend to step into, go ahead and step into that road, cross the street if you need to, the car will see you an slow down. On the other hand, make sure you are aware of the situation at hand because rules in Italy, even those for drivers of vehicles are typically seen as a suggestion rather than a real strict rule or law. This means that if you start to cross the road but a car is already close enough and not letting off the gas peddle even though they see your beginning steps into crossing the street, you better use your common sense and let that car pass first if you don't want to become an Italian flat bread. Italian roads are usually old and therefore typically do not have markings on them that tell the cars to stay on their side of the road, this means that streets where pedestrians walk can also be a road for cars to drive on. Car traffic is very light in these areas however, is the cars are typically more concerned about watching out for people than the people are for cars.
Although there are a million and one observations I could continue to write about, I will only tell you about one more. Italian street sellers. In America, if someone trying to sell something came up to you on the street, you would simply pay them no mind because they would be seen as sketchy. If they tried to talk to you, you would ignore them. Although this can be some similar actions to take toward street sellers if you don't want their attention, typically street sellers are not seen as creepy people who just plan to rip you off. I'm not saying this is true for all, but everywhere you look their are street sellers which make it easy for you to pick up a quick item you need such as a handbag, or post cards or clothes that can be quit pricey, and not because they are ripping you off, but because they are truly good quality. Street sellers with tents are typically the most reliable, and in Italy, depending on the common sense of observing the quality of the street seller, some can be compared to the highest quality of objects that could be compared to being bought in an American mall such as Francesca's clothing store. If you do not want anything they are offering you may say, "no Grazie" or ignore and keep walking.
Through all this talk of different behavior, it may sound as though it would be difficult to get used to the Italian culture. I say this is false, people can adapt. And with an open mind, understanding and respect for people and different cultures, it can be quit easy to mold your behavior into the new environment.
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