Things in Italy that are Weird for the Americans 🤦

 Things in Italy that are Weird for the Americans

By Karen ( my American friend living in Naples for many years)

1. Toilets There is way too much water in the toilets. I mean, Italian toilets can be totally gross, but the water level makes sense to me.

2. Strangers smile at you like they know you. Everyone is just soooo friendly. In Italy, there is reserved politeness. In Italy , people you pass at the supermarket will yell “hey! How’s it going?” with such intimacy that you think "I must know them " , before you realize that they are just perfect strangers being perfectly nice.

3. Driving everywhere. I rarely drive in Italy so it feels weird to fall into this pattern of getting in the car to go down the street to the store. (Side note: stores are huge).

4.So many drink flavors. Iced Mango green tea? Why does that have to be a thing? How many kinds of energy drinks does a person need? And are electrolytes in flavored water really so necessary? Cold press juice also seems stupid expensive to me, but you can get it everywhere in about 100 flavor combos.

5. Wearing workout clothes in non-gym settings. If I leave the gym in gym clothes in Naples , people stare. I would never dream of wearing yoga pants to the market. The amount of Lycra leggings in America makes me wonder if everyone is just coming from working out, about to work out, or hoping that wearing the gear will make them work out?

6.Related: apparently everything is allowed at the bank? In American banks (or at least in MY American back) there is minimal visible security and people bring their dogs. In Italy, you can’t even bring a big purse into the bank! You have to leave your bag in a locker and then wait at a remotely controlled door to be let in one by one.

7.The nonchalance with which doors are locked. In Italy, my door has four interconnecting locks. If you are stepping out to buy milk, you are doing so with your door heavily armed behind you. In the US, a quick turn of the lock on the handle, or no lock at all, seems to be acceptable.

8.Sweet beer. So sweet. Why does American been taste so sweet? My palate for brews has apparently totally changed. Also, everyone appears to be a craft beer expert now.

9.Literally everyone and their mom has a Prius. Note: I am from Florida (and my mom does have a Prius) so this may be a biased sample.

10. Adult coloring books. That’s weird, you guys, and I think you’ve lost sight of that.

Have you ever experienced reverse culture shock? What was the most unexpected struggle you had when you moved (or visited) home?