Different Cultures
First of all, I just want to say I'm sorry about the length of that last post. It was only supposed to be 500 words, so I'm sorry for everyone who read all 700! Haha!
This post is on different symbols in different cultures. I just want to write on my own experience with this instead of what our group googled. Living in Italy opened me up to a lot of culture shock. Things that we were used to doing, apparently meant completely different things in Italy. For example, certain hand signals were interepreted differently. Have you ever noticed how you count to 5 with your fingers? Most everyone I know starts with your "1st" finger or your pointing finger. When you ask for 2 of something, you show a peace sign. Well in Italy, they count starting with their thumbs. So, when you order 2 of something in a restaurant, you use your thumb and first finger. If you give them the peace sign, they think it means the peace sign, not 2. Also, their wave is a little different. Have you ever waved to a little baby? That's what it feels like when you wave in Italy. You keep your fist pretty tight and act like you are clapping with one hand. Our waves are big open-handed movements. It's amazing because the way you wave fits your personality. Americans are big, showy people and wave like they are. Italians are more reserved, and you can tell that by their wave.
There were also big differences in the way Italians live their lives. They are much more laid-back and family-oriented. You'll find that stores and restaurants are closed a lot more. They take very long lunch breaks, because lunch is the biggest meal of the day for them, and they go home and eat with their entire family. A lot of stores will even be closed two days a week, because most businesses are small, family-owned and they make their own hours. Coffee is a big deal in Italy, as well. Never order a cappuccino after, I think, 10 am. If you order a "cafe" which means coffee, expect a small cup of espresso. If you want a normal American cup of coffee, you have to say "cafe americano." Yet, many Italians find it rude for Americans to order American coffee in Italy. Italians are very proud of their culture and appreciate it if tourists give a solid effort to learn their customs and language. A lot of Italians won't speak to you if you speak to them in English first. If you even attempt Italian, then they will talk to you. They like to know that you are trying to branch out of your little American box.
Those are just a few of the rules and customs I learned in Italy. There are so many more, and it is very hard to remember them all. It is also hard not to offend anyone there. I remember visiting an outdoor market in Florence and some of my guy friends almost got into a fight with the vendors because one of the guys made some kind of gesture, which was apparently offending, and then said, "Well, we didn't know because we're American!" That was obviously the wrong thing to say and the Italians got very upset. We had to leave the area. It's sad that most Americans use this excuse way too often. I think it is very important to learn about other cultures, especially when you visit their homeland. Americans are a little too cocky about these things sometimes, and we should realize that we are not the only nation or culture in this world.
This post is on different symbols in different cultures. I just want to write on my own experience with this instead of what our group googled. Living in Italy opened me up to a lot of culture shock. Things that we were used to doing, apparently meant completely different things in Italy. For example, certain hand signals were interepreted differently. Have you ever noticed how you count to 5 with your fingers? Most everyone I know starts with your "1st" finger or your pointing finger. When you ask for 2 of something, you show a peace sign. Well in Italy, they count starting with their thumbs. So, when you order 2 of something in a restaurant, you use your thumb and first finger. If you give them the peace sign, they think it means the peace sign, not 2. Also, their wave is a little different. Have you ever waved to a little baby? That's what it feels like when you wave in Italy. You keep your fist pretty tight and act like you are clapping with one hand. Our waves are big open-handed movements. It's amazing because the way you wave fits your personality. Americans are big, showy people and wave like they are. Italians are more reserved, and you can tell that by their wave.
There were also big differences in the way Italians live their lives. They are much more laid-back and family-oriented. You'll find that stores and restaurants are closed a lot more. They take very long lunch breaks, because lunch is the biggest meal of the day for them, and they go home and eat with their entire family. A lot of stores will even be closed two days a week, because most businesses are small, family-owned and they make their own hours. Coffee is a big deal in Italy, as well. Never order a cappuccino after, I think, 10 am. If you order a "cafe" which means coffee, expect a small cup of espresso. If you want a normal American cup of coffee, you have to say "cafe americano." Yet, many Italians find it rude for Americans to order American coffee in Italy. Italians are very proud of their culture and appreciate it if tourists give a solid effort to learn their customs and language. A lot of Italians won't speak to you if you speak to them in English first. If you even attempt Italian, then they will talk to you. They like to know that you are trying to branch out of your little American box.
Those are just a few of the rules and customs I learned in Italy. There are so many more, and it is very hard to remember them all. It is also hard not to offend anyone there. I remember visiting an outdoor market in Florence and some of my guy friends almost got into a fight with the vendors because one of the guys made some kind of gesture, which was apparently offending, and then said, "Well, we didn't know because we're American!" That was obviously the wrong thing to say and the Italians got very upset. We had to leave the area. It's sad that most Americans use this excuse way too often. I think it is very important to learn about other cultures, especially when you visit their homeland. Americans are a little too cocky about these things sometimes, and we should realize that we are not the only nation or culture in this world.
posted by Leah B at
12:33 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home