Culture

A quick recount of culture differences (or lack thereof) between Italy and the States:

* When we arrived, our first day of class, there were posters all over the classroom about living in a city, using public transport, how to see all of Italy, and "Living with Italians". Things I remember about it that have struck me:
-"Always keep two hands above the table." Apparently putting your hands in your lap looks like you're hiding something. Apparently both my Italian 'parents' are hiding a lot, because they always eat with their hands in their laps.
-"Keep your elbows off the table, same as you would at home". Apparently things really are more laid back here, because again, this is pretty commonplace.
-"Limit yourself to one shower a day". This one's actually true. Electricity here is super expensive, so hot water for showers adds up. As do leaving on ANY lights. at any given time, there is as little light in the house as possible, while still keeping us from walking into things.

Other things I was told, more or less from the posters:
*Italian time: people here are, in fact, very relaxed. No one is ever in a hurry for anything. Supposedly, being 5 minutes late is very commonplace because of this. However, classes here never start more than 10 seconds late, and usually a minute or two early. no fair.

*Personal Bubble: Yes, it's smaller here. Yes, it's a little off-putting at times. When it's 80 degrees out (yes, it's that hot right now) people sweat. And when someone is sweating at 4:00 in the afternoon and close talking, you KNOW that they're sweating. I'm slowly getting used to it though....

That's about all I remember for now. But, one more fun story: Yesterday, as I was going to get on the tram I take home from school, I saw two *Italians* pushing the "doors open" buttons and looking totally perplexed as to why the doors wouldn't open. And then the train pulled away from where it had been sitting. I was able to inform them that the stop was actually 100 meters ahead, and that this particular train had been turning around. Made me feel like I actually knew the city a bit... I was pretty pumped.

Off to get lunch, and then buy soccer tickets, and then run, and then head over to Via del Corso-ish...

ciao for now!

-Brian