After living in Florence for the past few months it seems normal to look back, reflect, and decide what I've learned. So what have I taken from this experience? I am an American. Profound, I know. Now, you may be thinking, "Um, Lauren, I could have told you that and saved you a lot of time and money." but I don't think I really understood what being an American was until I was presented with the opportunity to try something else on for size. Not that I ever really became Italian here; I tried to integrate, but there are some things people do here that just aren't my style.
Examples:
1) I've never liked smoking. Everyone smokes here. Old people with skin that looks like a rotted peach, teenagers with braces, and even a very pregnant woman I saw on the street (I stopped in my tracks and stared at her dumbfounded as she walked past me. I glared. She put on her sunglasses.) The constant cloud of smoke is something I will never get accustomed to or like.
2) I don't drink coffee. I don't like the taste. Go figure.
3) I like American breakfasts. I swear that a typical Italian breakfast is coffee and a cigarette (see #1 and #2). When I get back I'm making myself a ridiculously huge omelet.
4) I don't wear make up on a regular basis. Italians look like a million euros whether they're on their way to the grocery store or to a wedding, but I just don't really care to try that hard every single day. I'm a naturalist of sorts. Laziness may also be a factor.
5) My accent will give me away every single time. Even if I do use perfect grammar when speaking Italian (which is rare) they always know that I'm American, and often just respond to me in English.
6) I enjoy running outside. Italians think that this is absurd. It's part of their whole fear of being seen in an unattractive way (i.e. in workout clothes and sweaty). So running in Florence means dodging all of the people on the sidewalks who won't move out of the way for some silly American. It also meaning dodging dog poop (they don't clean up after their dogs here) and trying not to die. If I'm not tripping on the uneven and narrow sidewalks, I'm probably almost getting hit by an aggressive driver, or trying to catch my breath in the midst of the pollution and cigarette smoke. Florence a beautiful city, but not conducive to running.
7) Don't try to walk fast either. I am a fast walker, but for as fast as the Italians drive, they walk very slow. La dolce vita, right? Yeah, I'm a little too type A for that. I like to get where I'm going, although, this is one that I'm trying to work on. Walk slow, drink it all in... we'll see.
8) Male shovanists. Now, I never thought of myself as much of a feminist, but I do respect myself. And if I hear one more Italian mama's boy say something demeaning or degrading to women, I'll flip. It's hard here, because if I show that it makes me mad, that just makes them happy, so I have to keep my thoughts to myself. I don't do well with that.
Now, these are all of the things that make me American, but there are certainly things that I would like to bring back with me. Gelato? Best. Idea. Ever. Love, need it, gotta have it kind of food. (It's a wonder I'm not 500 lbs). Pesto? Ditto. Bottom line? Italians know their way around food. I hope to bring back some knowledge and possibly recreate what I've been eating for the past four months.
Wine with dinner? Yes, please.
Leather goods? I have definitely jumped on that bandwagon. (sorry PETA)
Euro fashion? This one I'm still sort of on the fence. I have an appreciation for the fashion here, but I don't think I could pull off half of the outfits that people wear here. Some are just plain weird. However, I've adopted a few things here and there. Thanks for adding a touch of sophistication to my wardrobe Florence!
It is very easy to be cultured here. I've found that I really like museums, art, and the like. Florence definitely a good place to live if you like the idea of going to a museum on a whim. Finished with psych class? Why, I think I'll go pay the David a visit. I'm going to miss that.
So I left in January an American and I will return... a more cultured American? OK, I wouldn't go that far, but I've definitely learned a lot. I'm so very lucky to have been able to do this, and I'm going to miss Florence very much. Sooner or later, I'll have to come back.
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