…come questi. Da Blog From Italy: Does the UK have equivalents of Di Pietro and Beppe Grillo, or, even better Clementina Forleo? I’m a bit out of touch, so enlighten me. If the UK does not, it sure as heck needs them….

I didn’t mean that here friends are helpful (they are everywhere in the world). I meant even the man of the street here can helpful and full of humanitas (an important element of the evelasting Italian – and Roman – mind).

The person “crowding pavements, not stopping to let people cross the road, not apologising when bumping into others”, that same ‘cafone’ lol, I mean, is very likely to help you if you are in real need, even if he/she just met you a few minutes before.

I know it sounds weird, but as far as I can tell, it is true. Ok, enough with the advocate’s role.

We say: il mondo è bello perché vario (the world is beautiful because of its variety)

All the best

“Someone said: “the average Roman has little to no consideration for others” … Another: “I think that should read ‘the average Italian has…’ “.

As far as I can tell there are areas in this country where there is civic behaviour (= consideration for others and common good etc.) and areas where there is not.”

First of all, ‘average’ does not mean all, however, those from the UK and US do tend to notice that Italians are less considerate than those from the aforementioned two countries.

Perhaps Italians don’t realise that they are being inconsiderate because the situations in which they act so are, in the overall scheme of things, quite insignificant.

Things like crowding pavements, not stopping to let people cross the road, not holding doors open for people, and not apologising when bumping into others etc are not really big deals.

However, when you come from a country where people who act in this way are looked upon as being ‘caffone’, then it may help one understand how seemingly inconsiderate Italians are viewed by the residents of other countries.

“I asked him: “Why don’t you go back to London? What keeps you here?” He replied: “the good nature of the people. In London people are kind and correct, but if you really need help ….”.”

I think I would agree with this, indeed, once you become friends with an Italian, you wonder just why many act so inconsiderately. Italians are good people, and do what they say, but then I had some great friends in England, good people who helped me out on more than one occasion.

What I have noticed is that well educated Italians are as well mannered and considerate, if not more so, than their English counterparts.

@Rob
“Yeah, as far as I know Man of Roma is right. I am generally a fierce critic of the inefficiency of the average public agencies, here in Italy” – this is an example of lack of consideration for others.

“the smile of our Italian women, not to speak of Italian food” – Yes, Italian women are enchanting. When I refer to the views in Italy, I’m not just talking about the countryside…

If Italy were to add a little more consideration for others to its already extensive list of advantages, such as women and food etc (and wine!), it would be one of the best places in the world. For the moment, it is ‘only’ a good place! (and better than the UK!).

Great to hear from ‘real’ Italians – thanks for ‘jumping in’ MoR and Rob!

All the very best,

Alex