Sono Americana. Abito a Roma.
An American in Rome shares her insight on Italian eccentricities...
HOW TO BE A ROMAN:
1. Stare. All the time. At everyone. If they stare back at you, turn away and pretend you weren't staring.
2. Wear long pants and a jacket even in the summer... otherwise there might be a breeze and you could catch a cold!
3. Never eat on the street. No, not even pizza. You can stand at a bar and eat, but you can never walk away with it. Only exception - gelato.
4. Never have dairy products after dinner. It is bad for your digestion. Cappuccino, especially, must NEVER be had after one eats. The milk will mess up your whole digestive track and get you sick. Only exception - gelato.
5. Water must ALWAYS have minerals in it. No exceptions.
6. Own an adorable dog. Walk it every day. NEVER clean up after it.
7. Drive a very small car or, even better, a motorino. Pay no attention whatsoever to traffic signals.
8. Never walk fast... EVER. You are never in a hurry to get anywhere - remember that and apply it to all you do.
9. Plant flowers on your balcony.
10. Bring your own bags to the supermarcato.
11. Never have more than 2 drinks while out for the night. UNLESS you're out for dinner and drinking vino. Then, and only then, you may drink the whole damn bottle... AND have a shot of limoncello afterward.
12. Shop at a street market.
13. NEVER wear flip flops... unless they're Dolce and Gabbana.
14. NEVER wear shorts... unless they're Dolce and Gabbana.
15. Don't put toilet seats in your bathrooms.
16. Touch everyone when you talk to them.
17. Always say "Boungiorno" to strangers when you enter a store. NEVER say it to strangers on the street.
18. Men: It is perfectly acceptable to make comments about pretty women on the street. Women: Such comments should always be ignored.
19. Always close your business on Sunday, and do not re-open until LATE Monday afternoon.
20. Times are relative... they do not need to be adhered to strictly... or even at all.
HOW TO BE A ROMAN:
1. Stare. All the time. At everyone. If they stare back at you, turn away and pretend you weren't staring.
2. Wear long pants and a jacket even in the summer... otherwise there might be a breeze and you could catch a cold!
3. Never eat on the street. No, not even pizza. You can stand at a bar and eat, but you can never walk away with it. Only exception - gelato.
4. Never have dairy products after dinner. It is bad for your digestion. Cappuccino, especially, must NEVER be had after one eats. The milk will mess up your whole digestive track and get you sick. Only exception - gelato.
5. Water must ALWAYS have minerals in it. No exceptions.
6. Own an adorable dog. Walk it every day. NEVER clean up after it.
7. Drive a very small car or, even better, a motorino. Pay no attention whatsoever to traffic signals.
8. Never walk fast... EVER. You are never in a hurry to get anywhere - remember that and apply it to all you do.
9. Plant flowers on your balcony.
10. Bring your own bags to the supermarcato.
11. Never have more than 2 drinks while out for the night. UNLESS you're out for dinner and drinking vino. Then, and only then, you may drink the whole damn bottle... AND have a shot of limoncello afterward.
12. Shop at a street market.
13. NEVER wear flip flops... unless they're Dolce and Gabbana.
14. NEVER wear shorts... unless they're Dolce and Gabbana.
15. Don't put toilet seats in your bathrooms.
16. Touch everyone when you talk to them.
17. Always say "Boungiorno" to strangers when you enter a store. NEVER say it to strangers on the street.
18. Men: It is perfectly acceptable to make comments about pretty women on the street. Women: Such comments should always be ignored.
19. Always close your business on Sunday, and do not re-open until LATE Monday afternoon.
20. Times are relative... they do not need to be adhered to strictly... or even at all.