Jessica in Rome

I got an interesting comment on my Valley Girls post yesterday. I wanted to share my response so that it is clear what my intent was and perhaps you will get to know me better.

Here is the comment unedited, followed by my response I sent in an email but was returned as undeliverable (surprising):

ancientroman:

“And not your lovely Britished accent English”
okay, not really sure what you’re trying to imply with this comment. it’s slightly discriminatory, i’d say… why do consider an american (californian) accent crass but a british accent isn’t? or why do feel feel british tourist are less annoying than americans??
i’ve been in italy for more years than you’ve been alive (most likely) but i don’t get territorial or possessive about the new influx of young dreamy-eyed americans like yourself who are moving to italy… i think a comment like yours just propagates stereotypes and generic hatred.
just because you live in rome and they don’t doesn’t make them bad and you good… come on!
BTW, the mall you’re referring to as “yours” is often full of foreigners because it’s got the only H&M in rome and the only official Mac store. they also do LOTS of publicity trying to get more people to go there and are planning on making it accessible with public transportation/shuttles. so brace yourself.

Dear Ancient Roman,

I am sorry you took offense to my entry about the California girls in the H&M store near my house in Rome. I thought I would email you because I feel that you didn’t understand the intent of my post. You asked what I meant by “Lovely Britished accent” Well, I find British (Australian and South African) accents lovely compared to my own West Coast, American accent (that is similar, if not the same as a Cali accent). There is nothing racist about it. I personally think that their accent sounds cuter. I have no real annoyance with any kind of tourists in Rome or anywhere. I think they are a vital part of our economy here in the Eternal City and they are welcomed! I was once a tourist in Rome after all, until I married my husband and became a resident.

You say you have been in Italy longer than me, and you are most likely right. I have been here less than a year and am using my blog to write about my experiences so far, however interesting, funny or mundane they may be. I am not a fan of stereotypes or hatred as you questioned in your comment. These were in fact California gals who did in fact say “OMG”. Had they said something else, I would have quoted that instead. I am from Seattle and we always joke about people’s use of slang whether from Cali (OMG), or Canada (Eh?)or even Italy (Mamma Mia!). It is done in a loving way and not in a down talking, hatred-spewing fashion. My best friend happens to be from California and my husband’s from Italy (obviously). I never said in my entry anywhere that because I live in Rome and they don’t, that I am better. So I don’t know where you got that impression. Every place is different and unique, that’s what makes this world and the people in it beautiful.

You also said that RomaEst (which I jokingly called “mine” because I go there a lot due to it’s close proximity to my house) is ” often full of foreigners because it’s got the only H&M in rome and the only official Mac store.” First of all, I have never seen Americans or any other English speaking foreigners there. That was reason I was surprised to see two California “valley girls” there. Also, there are 2 H&M’s in Rome, the RomaEst one and the one at Porta di Roma, which has a much better selection in my opinion. It’s an official Apple store, not Mac store BTW. As far as shuttle services out here, I have heard nothing and as of now you can only get there by a train and bus combination from the center if you don’t have a car or scooter. I haven’t heard any publicity about such a service, but if you have a source, email me back with the info. I think it’s a good idea and would like to pass the info along.

In closing, my entry was only about my surprise to see that there were American tourists at a store near my house, where I had never seen any before. I think maybe it’s caused by better public transportation information being available to tourists, but maybe that is being too optimistic. Maybe it’s more about there being MANY tourists and they are expanding farther and farther outside of the center. Which may also be a good thing for the economy as well. I re-read my post and see none of the hatefulness that you saw. I love BOTH of my Countries and think I am a better person for learning two cultures and two ways of life. It has opened up my eyes in ways I could never have imagined. I see myself as a very open minded and non judgmental person. I am also very active in CouchSurfing a international, multicultural exchange community. Making a little fun of a valley girl isn’t the same as propagating hate. Lighten up.

Thanks for reading,
Jessica in Rome

Thoughts?