The Secret Sauce of Italian Lifestyle
Life in the Mediterranean Versus Canada
A walk through Rome will reveal snowy-haired Italian men exchanging a cackle and greeting passersby with an amorous, “Buongiorno.”
Mom-and-pop businesses effortlessly decorate the cobblestone streets, reflecting the familial values that are the sustenance of Italian society.
Steps away from the metropolitan madness lovers emulate the classical coming-of-age romance story in Villa Borghese.
People seem genuinely happy.
Is it the Margherita pizza on every corner? The climate? The social aspect?
I believe there is a combination of moving parts that create a high quality of life in Italy, including the Southern location, and social and cultural norms.
1) Connection
One of the Blue Zones or regions where people live the longest, of the world is located in Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
The main assumption behind this phenomenon is that people live longer because they reside in villages with ample social connections. As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
This collectivist attitude is not limited to Sardinians. In general, Italians are much more collectivistic than North Americans. Their focal point is on the group like that of Mexico and Japan rather than self-centred interests.
Also, a Catholic nation, Italy naturally draws people into communal spaces to share their devotion to Christ. Family and religion are high on the priority list.
2) A Forthright Culture
Another cultural difference I have noticed in Italy is less passivity relative to Canada. People speak forthrightly which can be off-putting to North Americans who are more acquiescent.
Having said that, Italians may struggle less to meet their needs due to their unapologetic bluntness. They do not sugarcoat but rather speak with brutal honesty.
While this may appear cold or insensitive to foreigners, I believe it is merely a cultural difference that is more easily digestible over time.
Plus, Canadians could benefit from a dash of forthrightness.
3) The Warm, Meditteranean Climate
The Northern Hemisphere enjoys balmy summers but can be harshly cold and grey from December to March.
As a result, several Canadians experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or depressive symptoms, during the winter months which wreaks havoc on their mental and physical health.
On the other hand, Italy is known for its warm Mediterranean climate which entices tourists year-round. Who doesn’t want to sunbathe along the Amalfi Coast under lemon trees?
The climate of Italy largely contributes to its appeal with mildly cold winters, warm autumns and “molto caldo” summer months!
4) Beauty in Everything
Italians are lovers of beauty from Tuscan leather to Michelangelo masterpieces.
This is exemplified by the intricate architecture and artwork displayed throughout the country dating back to the Middle Ages.
A day trip to the Vatican in Rome or the Uffizi Gallery in Florence will unveil the deeply philosophical and contemporary nature of Italian history.
Feminine beauty is part and parcel of the equation.
Expect an ego boost as you stroll through the streets of Italy because Italian men are relentless in their expression of adoration. You will feel like a million bucks!
This appreciation is more sophisticatedly depicted in many prehistoric illustrations of the formidable Madonna who appears pure and motherly.
It is also showcased throughout Italy with marble sculptures of naked women that are often curvaceous with squidgy, fertile-appearing bellies to portray high rank.
Italians have an eye for aesthetics, finer things and simplicity. They are artful and hopeless romantics at heart.
Life is a love story which adds to the lure of this beautiful country with its godly rolling hills in Tuscany, metropolitan appeal in Rome and vibrant Southern coast.
The hospitality of the Italians, the delectable cuisine, the rich history and the Southern location all contribute to the attractiveness of Italy as a tourist and residential destination.
While Canada boasts its beauty, we can surely mimic the qualities that make Italy wonderful — its connected nature being a guidepost.
