Comments on: 3 Things I Will Never Understand About Italy

By: kat

kat — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:37:25 +0000

It’s a lot like Greece. People think that if it’s in their home, it’s private and their domain. Once they put the garbage in the street, it’s no longer their problem — it’s in the public sector and therefore the state’s responsibility to clean it up.

It doesn’t occur to them that they’re the ones who made poor choices at the store, consumed it and then created that garbage. Because taking responsibility would be too burdensome and too boring!!!

Just wanted to say ‘hi’ from across the sea. Haven’t been to Italy in ages…too many other places to see. Know what I mean? Verona is nice, Rome not so much…well, to visit but not to live. But then again, I live in abominable Athens. Ergh! Not proud of that either.

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:19:16 +0000

Somehow I managed to lose your blog and only now came across it again. I’ve just read like three months of posts! Congrats on a beautiful wedding, and I hope your move goes smoothly! I’ll keep better track now, as I have added you to my Google reader.

We met in Rome briefly… remember? We traded books?

Hey Heather! I am glad you found me again! Of course I remember you! I need to add you to my GR too!-jessica

By: Gil

Gil — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:57:53 +0000

They probably put the chicken parts on the ground to make it easier for starving cats & dogs to get some food.

By: My melange

My melange — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:38:53 +0000

Sheesh. The garbage thing is disgusting. Maybe it happens more in the bigger cities. If and when I move over there….I think I may stick to the small towns and hope for the best!!

Hoping for the best seems to be all we can do at this point! Yay for being positive!-jessica

By: kataroma

kataroma — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:10:14 +0000

Last summer I remember seeing what really took the cake. A restaurant had dumped a big bin full of chicken heads, feet, fat etc in a huge pile next to a garbage bin. And it was summer so the flies were buzzing around and it stank. The bin was only half full so I imagine they just couldn’t be bothered lifting that big bin full of chicken parts high enough to dump them in the bin. But shouldn’t a restaurant have some better way of disposing of meat offcuts? Yuk!

By: Delina

Delina — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 07:03:53 +0000

I was complaining to OH about point 1 yesterday. Mi fa schiffo and I find it hypocritical how there is such an hygiene obsession in the home, then as soon as they leave the house there’s a complete character reversal. I saw a shop keeper throw some rubbish outside his own shop the other day (on the floor, not in a bin). Uh?

By: Bluefish

*Bluefish* — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:48:54 +0000

Gotta be a hero to become a citizen in Italy…you should go out everyday searching for good deeds to become one. I find it ridiculous that people are rewarded with such a prize for contributing some effort in the society. They should change the law and review their immigration rules. Are you a citizen now? When can you find a job? I really love reading your blog and wish you can write daily here! Take care.

I know what you mean. I am not a citizen but am a legal resident. I could work if I could find a job. My problem is that I don’t speak Italian well enough to be comfortable and I don’t want to settle on just any old job. I was an admin. assistant in the states and don’t want to go from that to working in a bar, pub or hostel. Teaching English is a possibility but I would have to get certified which can cost up to 1500 euro. I also am not sure if I would even enjoy it- So for me it is a big waiting game. luckily there isn’t a ton of pressure for me to find work.-jessica

By: leanne

leanne — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:13:10 +0000

I hear you Jessica! People use the streets as a rubbish bin. We have ‘recycle police’ near where I live who do random checks on people as they throw their rubbish in the recycle bins, as people cannot be bothered to seperate their goods…even when the bins are literelly outside our front door!
Verone may be better!