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Topic: Why do you like USA better then Italy? (Letto 1670 volte)
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meesha
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Hi,
I'm an American and I wanted to write to you (in the english section of course) because I stumbled upon your website. I recently visited Italy less than a month ago and I truly loved it, which is how I happened upon this site because I was searching for Italy on google. In fact, I can't wait to go back and I kind of miss it! It was very hard to assimilate into the Italian culture at first, but after two weeks of being there I was able to get the hang of things and become more comfortable. At times I missed American things, but it was worth sacrificing such little things so I could travel around Italy. You truly have a beautiful country, which is why I don't understand why you would want to come to the U.S. so bad? Honestly, I don't understand what its like to truly live there, but it didn't seem so bad to me and I liked alot of things about Italy better than the US. Both countries have good and bad points like anywhere so I just don't get why you would want to leave Italy! Please enlighten me! Italy is AMAZING! P.S. what do you think of Italian-Americans? I am one and I have an italian last name but I'm two generations removed from Italian culture, so basically I don't know any culture. I was always curious because I heard real italians don't like italian americans! Well, that's all for now, Ciao!
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meesha
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Hi,
I stayed in Italy for a month for study abroad with my University with 9 other people. I stayed in Castel Gandolfo. Do you know where that is?
Meesha
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Simone
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Hi again Meesha,
Now that I looked in the map, I know where that is! 
Well, to be honest I've heard about it a lot of times because it the Pope's summer residence. But now I know where this place is too, so it's better.
Now I'll try to answer your question. You can't understand us, right? Because we don't like Italy and we simply love USA. 
Well.. Many times I discuss about US with other people and often I say that I like your country BUT I don't think it's paradise. Here nobody think Italy is hell and USA is heaven. You know, when you like something and people say "No, that's bad!" you often star to like it more and more. So it's for USA! In Italy many people love USA BUT many others hate it, so if you say "I like USA", of course someone, that think to be more smart than you, answer you "USA? Why??? They are warmonger, they are all fat, they are racist, etc. You like FILM and you think to know USA, poor boy!". Now I ask you to try to be me. Try to think if you were in USA and you say "I like Italy". And people star to say, in bad ways "Italy? Why??? Italians are rude, all member of the mafia, short, etc.". Maybe you'll begin to love more Italy than USA. More they hate, more I love! That my mission! 
That is one reason. But not the principal.
The other reason is that Italy is a wonderful country, of course, but it's too bad administrated! Our politics, you know, are famous in every place of the world. And not because they are good. USA isn't perfect but you have something we don't have. You should read our post here, those ones with title "L'individualismo, una cosa meravigliosa che esiste in USA". Individualism, a wonderful thing that exist in USA. Unlucky it's all wrote in italian.
For me to live in Italy it's like to be a part of a flock. You can scream loud as you can but the voice of the flock is louder than yours. Or try to think about job. Job, maybe we forget sometimes, it's one of the most important thing of our life. We spend a lot of hours, days, weeks and years at work. It's important, not because I say that, but because it is! Are you agreed? But in Italy it's very hard to get on because here doesn't exist meritocracy. It's very rare. And you feel frustrating when you work hard and just because you don't know the right people you can't get more.
That's all for now, but as I already told you, there is a lot of thing to say about it. Next time I'll explain more and more thing. And I'll be glad if you write about your trip in Italy. I'm curious.
Bye.
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meesha
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Thanks for writing back! Well, I went all over Italy. We would go into Rome every day during the week and then we would go out of Rome every weekend. The first week I went to Florence and the Duomo was amazing! I got to go to church there as well. We had a guide who was hired by our school who travels back and forth between the U.S. and Italy four times a year. He was born and raised in Italy and only came to the U.S. about three years ago. He has a pretty good deal. The school paid for a three bedroom house for him in the U.S. and then he gets all of his travel paid for(food, plane,housing, etc.) and then his time is paid for on top of that. Anyways, he took us to the church and all around his favorite places. The second weekend we went to Assisi and Casteleogne del Lago(not sure if I spelled it right but it was near Perugia). The third weekend we went to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri. I know Naples has a bad reputation but I loved it anyways. Afterall, that is definitely not the first dangerous city I've been to so I wasn't scared. It's probably less dangerous than some of the cities I've been to. Capri was beautiful as well and the water was so blue! The final weekend we went to Venice and stayed on the island of Lido. That was my favorite place of all the places we went to. Most of the Italians were really nice and didn't hate me for being American. I tried to be on my best behavior as well so I wasn't a stereotype because I know what the stereotypes are. Sometimes I could hear people speaking about us in Italian because they would say, "americana" so they could have been saying something mean for all I know, but most of the people we came across were helpful and didn't get mad when I spoke to them in English. So I didn't necessarily live like a real Italian person, more like a tourist, but I loved what I saw. I just don't see it as any worse or better than here. Have you ever been to the U.S. or lived there? I love the U.S. and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, then again I could see myself living in Italy as well if my family and friends were there. There are some really great places in the U.S. and in Italy! Anyways, I'm writing too much here!
Meesha
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Simone
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Hi meesha!
I'm back! I was out of Rimini this weekend because me and my family have a house in mountain. Well... Not so high mountain but it's a lovely place where you can find yourself, because it's my grandparents house and we lived there for some years. It's in a village very small, with about... 30 or some more houses. It isn't far from Rimini, only 75km, so when I can, I go there. 
The place you wrote is Castiglione Del Lago. I know this place because I have relatives there. But I've never been there, unlucky! 
OK, now let's go on our "conversation" about Italy and America. As can you see, Lady Blackice moved this topic in a new one. She is terribly tidy! And if you get wrong something you'll die! 
Do you know why no one films has made with Chuck Norris and Lady Blackice both? Because Lady Blackice can kill Chuck Norris! 
I've been in USA two times and I have a friend there. Sometime we send e-mail one another. He is an old man and I met him on the net, many years ago. He liked to know about Italy and to write in Italian, and I liked to know about USA and write in English so... We started writing one another. Now he is making me famous in the place where he live because he started to teach Italian to other old people and he always reads my e-mail to them! So, when I'll come to visit him, many other people will already know me! Cool, isn't it? 
So, another thing that I hate in Italy is the culture, the mentality to be always the most cunning. Look at the line in every place where you should stay in line. Italians don't do it! They think they are smarter then other! And I hate this mentality. If you try to ask them why they do it, they can't understand what are you talking about, that's why I say it's a culture problem. So, I like your respect for the others people and for the rules. I really like it!
Another thing I don't like Italy is because if you do something that is in fashion, you are cool, but if you do something different, you are a stupid. Instead I know that in America there are so many course, and they are about everything. Do you like to study insects? OK, maybe there is someone that can teach you everything about insects! Even if you work in an office or in a factory and the only insect you can see are those poor ones died on the glass of your car! I hope you understand what I'm writing and what I mean.
Well... That's some more things and others I'll tell you next time. That's all for now.
Bye
Update
I'm not sleepy tonight so I'll write something more. Another thing that I like about Americans is the pragmatism. I know that in your country religions are very important but you can talk about religions and State laws without problems. At the end people decide. We all my due respect, but you don't have the Pope in your house. We have! I respect all the religion, until they don't start to pretend that I do, or not do, something just because it's immoral for God. We are people of a country, all adult, and we have our minds so we can decide alone what is right for the community, for our country, for our children, and what is wrong. I don't believe in God and some people, when I say it, ask me: "But for you to kill someone is not a sin then!". It isn't about sin or not sin. I think it's something wrong, not because God told it to me, but simply because if we want to attain happiness for us, who kills is bad! But, to return on pragmatism, I like you don't hide the fact the idealism and materialism can live together. When we, as a country, do something like keep-peacing mission, we are ashamed about it because we think our soldiers do it just for money. And none of them do it because the believe in what they do. (About our soldier I don't think it's completely so). But I think American have another point of view. The do it for both reason! And they are not ashamed to say it or to do it. There isn't anything bad. It should be in this way! Only Idealism can't fill stomach. And materialism, without idealism, can't be so strong. We are always ready to critic your country and your wars but we never want to take important decisions and we never want to soil our hands in this or that business.
That's another thing I hate of Italy and Europe all.
Well... Of course when I write "YOU" I don't mean you, meesha or all the Americans. It's just my personal thought about America. That's all for now, really!
Next time I'll write you about journalism. What do you think about our mass media? And what about journalists in USA? There is a sea between USA and EU! No, not a sea, but a ocean, and it isn't the Atlantic!
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meesha
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Hi,
I really liked Castiglione del Lago, then again there was rarely a place that I didn't like. Unfortunately while we were there everybody got sick, except for me because I never get sick so we just ended up staying in our hotel and watching tv. I thought it was really fun to watch tv because it is so different and it's all in a different language. I noticed that you listen to a lot of english/american music. I saw a few italian music videos as well. As far as journalism goes, well I couldn't understand anything so I can't really say if it is different or not. That was something that really bugged me because I couldn't understand anything anywhere and I really wished I knew some Italian. I knew very few words and its actually quite pathetic because I could probably list them all here, but nobody really studies italian here because most people need to know spanish. What is different from your journalism as compared to ours? For the most part, journalistic integrity is very important and in school(esp. college) we are taught to question everything and get sources. The only network that isn't shy about being biased is the fox news network. They say they are the "no spin zone" but everybody knows that is bull and no one takes them seriously, unless you are a republican. But I did take a newspaper home from Rome because I wrapped some wine in it and my dad thought it was cool because it was all in italian and he kept it. Anyways, that weekend was kind of a bummer because we didn't really have any fun because no one wanted to do anything. The other thing that I thought was interesting is that in the major cities a lot of people knew english but when we got into the smaller towns like Castiglione del Lago, no one knew english so that can be difficult but I brought my italian phrases book with me. Well, another thing that I liked about Italy is the fact that people are in no rush to grow up! I know that alot of people live with their parents up 'til they're in their 30's and here people would look at you like you're a loser. I'm already feeling the pressure and I'm only 21! But I don't think that I would live with my parents necessarily, but I would definitely not feel weird about delaying marriage. There's plenty of time to be old! But I do agree that their wasn't any rules as far as lines, taking turns, etc. was concerned. The subway in Rome was kind of scary around rush hour and I was literally pressed up against strangers! That was quite an experience, but I never had anything stolen because I was paranoid about gypsies. And crossing the street was a little scary as well because I almost got run over a few times! But anyways, I really do like Italy and hope to go back again soon. Perhaps as early as next summer? I don't know, well see what happens. It's probably unlikely but it's still a possibility. Anyways, I hope you understand all of my english and everything made sense!
Meesha
[* Merging consecutive posts *]
Oh and PS: Tell me the truth about the American girls reputation! I know it's not good! I've never experienced such male harassment in my life and I'm thinking it's because we were Americans? Or is it like that with your own girls as well? That's an unfortunate thing about stereotypes because what bimbo girls do in movies is a reflection on me unfortunately...
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Simone
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Hi meesha!
I'm not disappeared!
I spent some days in my house in that village I told you last time, remember? It's called Pratieghi. I've bought a Monster Truck and I really enjoyed it "playing" there. "There is time to get old, right?" I used to say this thing to all people who look at me in strange ways watching me playing with my little car.
So you are only 21? I'm 30, and next November I'll be 31... 
Then, just to confirm your thought: yes, we listen a lot of English/American music. And I'm one of the people that don't like Italian music. My mum and my sister do! I don't know why but I think it's because of the rhythm and the music itself. I'm one who like country music too. I know that American young people don't like country music very much, maybe as we don't like Italian music. It's folk music and maybe you don't like for this reason. Do you like country music? Another point that makes me love USA better than Italy! You have country music! Yes yes! Here the only place where you can listen country music is in a shop in my town or in some rare, but nice, horses show.
Well... Now just two things about our journalism. I don't like our journalists because I feel they don't really care to find the sources and to investigate about the things. I think our journalists think that their job is to speak about everything and to write their opinion about everything. They like more write about "why" and less, much less, about all the others questions. And that not only for what concern politics, but even about society and sports and everything. In my mind I say "Tell me what's happened, then I'll make my opinion myself!" But maybe they think "It doesn't care what's happened, I'll explain you what you have to think! Because I've studied and I'm more intelligent than you.". And I don't like it.
That's what I think about our journalism.
Another thing I forgot to tell you is about the rules. I know Americans used to respect rules more than Italians. I've already told it. But I forgot to add that this involve to a common opinion. Italians who respect rules think, in their mind, they are stupid, because many other don't do it and nobody punish them. And that's another reason why I don't like Italy, I don't like to feel myself stupid.
To finish, well, I quite understand all of your English but can you explain me better the question about girls? I think I've understood but I prefer if you explain me better. I've known well only three American girls, and only one better than the others. I think she was OK. What do you exactly mean when you write "male harassment"?
Well, that's all for today.
See you soon.
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meesha
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Hi Simone
Well, I'm not a fan of country music at all, but I will admit that there are some exceptions to this, but very few. I'm just not into the whole country western business but it works for some people. I would say that most people from the south like country music. For example, I've been to Kentucky many many times and most of the radio stations are country and it's difficult to find anything else to listen too. As far as everywhere else, well some people hate it and others love it. I live in the midwest so it's about half and half. It's strange because I live near a farm, but I live in a suburban neighborhood, like the ones you see on tv and I also live about 15 minutes from the city so I'm in the middle of everything! I really wish I could have understood your journalism because then I could read how different it is as compared to ours. I understand what you mean about the rules though. If nobody is obeying them you have no choice but to join in. I got yelled at for being too pushy by our italian guide. He said, "Don't be Italian!" because I felt like if I wasn't, I'd get left behind or something. So yeah, I'm guilty of not obeying the rules either! Well, for my last question, I was trying to think of a word that I thought you would know but now that I think about it, that probably wasn't the best word to use. I tried to find an italian equivalent with a translator to the words I wanted to use but there wasn't any. Ok, so hopefully you will know the words I'm using. On tv and in movies American girls are portrayed as promicuous and I thought perhaps this is why the males were talking to us,following us,etc. and sometimes it went a little further than that. My friend got grabbed in an inapropriate area. Most were respectful of us so I don't want to stereotype or offend, it was just a lot different than what I'm used to so I'm thinking perhaps its because we as a group have a bad reputation or is that normal with all people? It's really unfortunate how some girls act when they're on study abroad and it's embarassing. For example, the Amanda Knox story. That girl is nothing like most of the people I know. She was highly unusual with her sleeping around with tons of men in Italy. It's embarassing really. I have no idea if she is innocent or not. I think I need more facts but it isn't looking good for her. Have you been following the case? Alot of people say the Italian media made her look bad, but I don't know. I try to get all sides of the story before making a judgement. Well, anyways I'm rambling on my "soap box" here so I'll ttyl.
Meesha
P.S. I still like to hear about Italy so keep writing! I'm in love with it actually which is weird because you hate it! LOL! Then again, sometimes I hate the U.S. and want to move to Canada but you love it! Who knew?!
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Lady Blackice
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USA: the Land of the Free, the Home of the Brave!
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Hi meesha!
I'm Lady Blackice and I'm the admin of this website. I'm glad to have you on our forum and I'm sorry for writing you so late... Don't believe to what Simone wrote about me, I have nothing in common with Chuck Norris!
Anyway, I hope you are enjoying this forum and your conversation with Simone!
I want to tell you something about italian men... It's not because you are american; it's because you are a girl. Italian men are famous, and this is not a stereotype in many cases, for being nice with girls (ok, sometimes not so nice, if they approach you in a rude way), even if they are not really interested in having a relatioship or if they are already engaged... Sorry boys! 
It's just something built-in our culture, I think!
Clearly there are a lot of exceptions, and you can find most of them in this forum!
Take time to know the worderful APP-Boys! 
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Maxx LA
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meesha...
if you want to understand why someone thinks that living down there is much better try to move here!
not just a short trip, but try to stay here and live here.
It's almost impossible to start a new business
It's difficult to live with italian wages (what will you do with 1300 $ a month?)
It's impossible to have medical services if you don't have a friend of a friend in the ospital (i.e. when my mother was dying we call the ambulance but they didn't came at all, I pay 50.000 $ a year in taxes and they didn't send me a f***ing ambulance)
I could write for hours and hours but I have no time now, trust me, italy is not a postcard and we are not all living in capri.
and if you live in a wonderful place (as I do) when you see people like italian fireworkers, that in the summer fire the trees very close to the cities they live in, just to have and extra on their wage, you understand that this is a wonderful nation populed by 95% of unefficient, stupid and lazy people.
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meesha
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Hi Simone,
Sorry it has taken me so long to write and I do want to continue talking because I love hearing about other people's lives in other countries, especially italy. I know you all aren't necessarily fond of Italy, but if you ever meet an italian-american, they are just so damn proud of being italian-american which I find humorous since real italians aren't exactly the same way. I will admit that whenever someone asks about my last name I always say proudly, "why yes, yes it is italian!" but this has been only since I came to Italy, before then I hated it and thought it was weird since I have never met anyone who wasn't related to me with my last name. Anyways, so I guess I'm trying to say I'm proud of Italy even if you're not and I'm not even a real Italian! But I do get what you are saying and I understand your frustrations. Corruption is never good in any governments and it exists here too, which brings me back to what you asked about as far as our new presidency. Oh I pray to God that Obama is president. I'm so sick of Republicans and I hate them so much. McCain is George Bush the second and he is already talking about bombing Iran. WTF? ?? Yeah thats exactly what we need, another senseless war where we send our young men and women to die and the innocent civilians to die. It makes me so mad what he has done to our country. The stock market crashed last week, which i'm sure you heard, more than during the depression. People are losing their homes. You can buy homes for $15,000 now that have been foreclosed when they are really worth around $100,000. I truly hate that man more than anyone. In fact, I have a countdown for when he's out of office. Anyways, McCain's VP candidate is Sara Palin, who is so stupid. All she has is a bachelors degree and a couple years as govenor of Alaska. Does anyone even live in Alaska? Plus she says the stupidest things and she only got her passport two years ago. If they win and something happens to McCain, this joke is going to be president of one of the most powerful(well it was powerful anyways) countries in the world and she has never even traveled anywhere! I get to vote for the first time in November as far as presidential candidates go. I didn't get to vote four years ago so don't blame me! lol! I'm so embarassed to be American sometimes and even when I went to Italy we were told to tell people we were from Canada or Australia, especially when Bush visited in June. Thats when I was there. Seriously, people hate us and I can't hide it. The second I open my mouth people know i'm an "Americana!" Anyways, I was on funnyordie.com recently and there was a video from Venice of these gondoliers singing for Obama to win. Sorry if I sound ignorant, but does Bush really affect your country enough that you would care who becomes our president? Does our stock market affect yours as well? Anyways, I believe I have ridden on Alitalia or it was Airitalia or something. It was in conjunction with Delta. I'm not really sure though, but yes I have heard of that company. Thats unfortunate, seems like a lot of people are suffering right now. Well anyways thats all for now, have a good day!
Meesha
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Simone
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Hi Meesha!
Don't worry, it's important we can find each other here sometime.
I was in USA last week, do you know? Yes! I was in Batavia, close to Buffalo, NY. And now I'm in Toronto, Canada.
I'm here because of my new job and I'm happy to be here because I can see more interesting things. I spent a week working in a shoes factory. Now a new week expect me in another factory, but where they make bags.
I understand what you wrote but I don't want that you can confuse what I meant. When I say that I don't like my country I doesn't mean that I hate it! I think there are so many good things and italian aren't all mafiosi or bad people, of course!!! I DON'T think that at all! And I'm happy when I say I'm italian and people smile and shake my hand!
I like you because you are clear, so I want be clear with you too. No frill, ok?
I understand you when you say that you are sick of Republicans, eight years are a lot. But I don't understand you when you say that you hate that man and all the other things. In Italy it's the same if you say you voted for Berlusconi. Berlusconi=evil. Why? What's the problem? When I was younger and I worked in the shoes factory I liked to talk about everything, because, as you, I'm curious about everything and every other opinion. So, when I started to talk about politic with my workmates and they heard I voted Berlusconi, they started to haul me! They were not talking about their opinions, they started to insulting me. So I decided to not care what the say AT ALL! And now I say clearly my thought without any problems. More they insulting me, more I don't care. I don't hate them and I don't hate other people who don't think like me. People who told you to say you are Australian o Canadian are stupid for me. To be Americans is more that to have McCain or Obama as President. In that week I was there I saw so many flags waving outside the houses. So I thought "They are so proud to be american!" and now I read that you, outside your country, you was scared to say you are american! Do you know why americans are proud to be americans? Because the DO, the others talk. The vietnam? Iraq? Iran? Is that the bad point of America for you? I think that's the strong of America. YOU, your COUNTRY, your PEOPLE, have fought against nazists, fascists, comunists, and now you are in war with other CRAZY people. (Don't you think they are crazy? We can talk about it.) Do you think this is not enought to be proud of? You have to be proud of who have fought these wars, not to scream slogan against these guys. What Canadians did? What Australians did? They did a lot, maybe, I don't really know! I think they did a lot, like other nations. But they are scared of what they did, they blame themselves. Maybe in the other country the just whisper "Ehi, I've fought against NAZI too!". Your people are proud about it. Nobody like wars but we have to talk clear with these people. What is the position of Obama about Iran? Do you know the history of the war in Kosovo? Well... We had the NAZISM and the FASCISM in 1940 about, right? In our home. After the WWII another place in Europe started to fight each other! Probabily it's better if someone do something, what do you think? NOBODY did ANYTHING. War? Nooo... we Europenians don't like the war! Americans, please, can you come and fight for us AGAIN? And that what I should be proud of. This is the difference. Don't be ashamed to be American, never. And don't care if people say Americans=Bush, Bush=War, War=Evil, YOU=EVIL. These people have to be ashamed of themself, not you! And say "I hate Bush" won't help you because people who hate America are racist, remeber. They hate you all, and if you have Obama they'll find something else to hate you.
Well... that's all for now but many other thing I'd like to write. Maybe tomorrow.
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"Perchè il male vinca è sufficiente che chi vuole la pace rinunci a fare la guerra" |
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