A contridiction of culture

by Mark Ramos

After taking some time to analysis what I have seen and witnessed first hand to Italian culture there are some perceptions that are contradictive to me. For example, many of us know that Italians are more slow paced and not so worried about time. Italy have pausa during the day in which businesses closes down, and people that are working go home in the afternoon until after pausa is over. At restaurants customers can take as long as they wish at the table they occupy, and enjoy the company of family and friends. The establishment does not worry about the bill until after you are finished, which could be hours after you arrive. In America, we are more time orientated and fast paced because we have things to do, and deadlines to meet. Restaurants want to get as many customers in and out to make money.

Here is where I see a contradiction to Italian culture. The traffic is heavy in many places that I have visited, but people drive very fast. Even in Cagli on the narrow streets a few people drive quickly. Motorcycles take up the middle white line separating the lanes of oncoming traffic zipping in and out between other vehicles. As we have been told and see first hand that stop signs do not always mean stop to drivers here in Italy. By no means am I saying this is out of line and wrong. The pace seems to work fine for the country. I am trying to point out there is an opposite side or action to the laid back slow paced perception to Italian culture that they exhibit in some areas, which is a contradiction to their perceived identity. In America, some people will drive fast, and a majority of the population will stop at stop signs unlike our Italian friends. I have only been to one place, which was in Fano where my friends and I had to pay for our sodas as they were delivered to our table. I am not sure if that was because Fano is a tourist beach resort with many foreigners as the reason why. Or maybe the waiter knew that we were Americans and that is the usual percieved way we take care of business.