Newsgroup: it.cultura.linguistica.inglese
Titolo: Italian courtesies

da 'A Pocket Guide to Italy', American Forces Information Service,
Washington D.C., 1987
[...]
   As soon as you arrive in Italy, you will discover that your
hosts love to live life to the fullest.
   Even when times are not the best, they have a smile for
the world.
   On the streets and highways, they drive with abandon,
whipping their cars and motorcycles in and out of traffic.
   When they meet on the streets or in houses or cafes,
hugs, kisses on the cheeks and handshakes are given freely.
   But most of all, they have a zest for life and love to talk.
   In their conversation with each other, you will see the
Italian way of life at its best.
   Everyone has a view on everything and expresses it with
vigor.
   There is more talking than there is listening, but all enjoy
the sport of conversation.
   A small traffic accident will rapidly bring together a
crowd, and each spectator will have a view to give to the
policeman who soon arrives to investigate.
   You're a guest in the country, so take the first step early
in your tour and start learning the language.  As you do, an
entirely new view of the Italians and their way of life will
open to you.
   Just don't start discussing politics or other sensitive sub-
jects.  Italians give their opinions and criticisms freely, but
love their country deeply.
   Any attempt you make at speaking Italian will be warmly
received.  You'll be corrected in your pronunciation by your
hosts, but that's the easy way to learn a foreign language.
   At the same time, you will find that Italians are very
interested in you personally.  In the course of your conversa-
tions, you will be asked what may seem to you to be
extremely personal questions regarding your life, your fam-
ily and the rent you pay.  These are subjects that Italians dis-
cuss among themselves, so they are not being rude when
they ask you the same questions.
   If you are embarrassed by a question, say so. This is
acceptable since frankness is another facet of the Italian way
of life.
   On the streets, if you are walking with your children, do
not be surprised if a man or woman passing by pats a child
on the head and says bel bambino (pretty boy).  Italians are
fond of children, both their own and others.  The best thing
to do when this happens is to say grazie (thank you) and
smile.
[...]
Your ride from the airport on arrival will
give you a good idea of the Italian way of driving.
   There are few stoplights at intersections; therefore, very
few cars stop.  This results in a spirited game of give-and-
take on the part of the drivers, along with the waving of
arms and loud comments.
   When you start driving in Italy, you will find that it is a
full-time job.  You must drive defensively every moment you
are on the road.
[...]

 Washington D.C., 1987
[cut]
Really Cool!!!
But I think these are the Guidos! The North Italian People is often very, 
sometimes too much, different by this platitude.
-- 
I'm a Dream!!! 

 very, sometimes too much, different by this platitude.
p.s.: I've decided to write in english even if I'm not able to do that. So 
maybe someone will correct me, and I'll learn by that. After all, the goal 
of this NG is just this!
(anyway sorry for the "horrors" that surely I'm writing!)
:-D


 wrote in message
news:1kuw847vkju56$.dlg@news.lillathedog.net...

It sounds more like a guide to Naples, before the new Codice Stradale
went into effect.
Joe from Massachusetts

 went into effect.
:)
Even in today's Rome, you have to drive very defensively, if you want
to make it home! 
-- 
Enrico C
* cut the ending "cut-togli.invalid" string when replying by email *


I learned to drive in Polentonia, then mastered my skills in
Pummarolia. Driving in Naples, I developed a sixth sense about when I
had best yield to another vehicle at an intersection, or proceed with
abandon, certain that the other driver would yield to me. Most of my
fellow workers were very leery of Neapolitan drivers, so the task of
escorting VIPs on their tours of the NATO facilities often fell to me.
This was good for me, as these tours often ended up on the island of
Ischia, where there was a major NATO communications site on Mt.
Epomeo.
Joe from Massachusetts

You have discovered how is easy to drive with 6th sense!
It is not so easy in McDonaldia.



That's because everything is Supersizia.
Joe from Massachusetts

 of this NG is just this!
...people are...(not 'is')
Meglio dire: Northern Italians are often very different--sometimes too much
so--than these platitudes suggest.


Grazie.


 
ROFL!!!!!!
ari

 You have discovered how is easy to drive with 6th sense!
Direi: "...how easy it is..."
:)
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