What do you think of Italy and Italian people?

Answer 1

I've been there twice and had a great time on both visits. The first time we went to Venice and Florence, both places we really loved, and had wanted to visit for a long time. I really really liked Florence, and hope to have to opportunity to see more of Tuscany and Umbria.

The second time we went to Italy, we went to Rome and Naples. Rome was okay, very interesting to visit a place that has had so much influence over the Western world, but to be honest, I felt that the locals were so used to dealing with foreigners that they were a bit too 'smooth' about it. I really enjoyed the ancient ruins, but the Vatican creeped me out.

Naples, on the other hand, was a delightful surprise. We actually had been warned about how dangerous it was, the crime and the traffic - and yes, the traffic is best described as a spectator sport - but the people were just the BEST. Very few people spoke English well, but that didn't stop them talking to us, and generally we communicated with reasonable success. They'd hear us speaking and ask 'Americani?' - a reasonable assumption. But then we'd explain we were Irish in Italian, we had learned just a few phrases, and the reaction to this was always along the lines of 'Ireland is cool' and 'wasn't the World Cup brilliant' and Roy Keane was usually mentioned - hilarious as I am so ignorant in all things football. The Neapolitans were so helpful, and inevitably made gestures telling us to mind our belongings ... not that we needed reminding as the first person we met when walking out of the train station was a dodgy character who tried to sell us a laptop.

And the seafront at Naples is beautiful too, and the bay, and it's near Pompeii (a really interesting place) and the Sorrento coast and of course Vesuvio, which is more than a volcano, it's safe to consider it an entity. I really really loved Naples, and I intend to go back there again.

Answer 2

This question is old and you might be dead or something but I'll just say this; the reason why Irish and Italians do not consider you Irish-American and Italian-Americans as one of their own because YOU ONLY HAVE THE ANCESTRY. Every AMERICAN has a drop of every race out there yet you don't hear them claiming to be, Polish, German, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Scottish, etc. The only way an Italian or Irish will accept you as a member is 1. You either have both parents that are Irish/Italian or just one parent that is. 2. You have either both grandparents that are Irish/Italian or just have one grandparent that is and/or three 3. Be BORN in Ireland and Italy and ACTUALLY FREAKING KNOW THE CULTURE LIKE IT IS WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF YOUR HAND. I can't tell you how many of these "Italian-Americans" make up words and call it Italian. They have no idea that true Italians are ashamed and disgusted of their behavior. The same goes for the Irish. They don't want to be associated with "Irish-Americans" who take pride in Irish stereotypes. Unlike these European-American craps, I'm an actual child of a European and have European parents. Believe me, they say the exact same thing that I am saying.

Answer 3

I spent may good times there many years ago in the 60s...I was treated very well by the "real" people.. not those out to get the tourists, which are found around the world...I would get on a bus and ride till the ticket ran out. I would not even now where I was... some small town... it did not matter if I was in unform, I was in the navy, or in civies... I was very often invited into homes for a meal...or fed good and often free in small resturants... I was given guided tours and even take around by car or small truck to see the sights... I seldom had to pay for my entertainment... they would get upset if I tried to even buy a round for my hosts at the local establishment...I never did pick up that much italian... never needed to ... I ate in homes were no one spoke english... but a neighbor or a cousin or someone was alway around who did know enough that with my few words and sign laguage we had a great time... I just had to get used to a lot of food I would not normaly have concidered eating... and I drank a lot more wine than I cared to.. I do not even like wine... but I have very good memories of my explorations of "rural" Italy... I spent close to two years in the Mediterainian on three seperate deployments... and the majority of time off was in italy... but had similer experiences in Spain and Greese...

Answer 4

Italy is fabulous and Italians are the best people in the world. I've lived in Milan for 10 years, and in all that time I have not found one single thing not to like here.
By contrast, when I go to the UK for a weekend, I can usually find at least one thing to not like about the UK within an hour of arriving.

Answer 5

I cannot say that I know any actual Italians, just people who have ancestors from Italy. I have always wanted to see Venice, and perhaps Rome, and I enjoy Mussolini's facial expressions, very funny. Other than that, no opinion.

Answer 6

I went almost three years ago. I loved it so much I vowed to go back. Italy is a beautiful country! And the people (in general of course) seem to be really friendly. I had a lot of fun when I went there, and would suggest to anybody that they go there also.

Answer 7

Great. Italy is beautiful, what i've seen of it, ( Rome, Abruzzo, Castel Di Sangro, Sperlonga, Sabaudia, Gaeta) and never met a bad italian :-)

Answer 8

Beautiful country. You want to ski go to the alps, you want art and history go to Florence and Rome. You want Romance go to Venice. You want Stunning lakes go to Lake garda. Countryside ry Umbria and Tuscany. Beautiful beaches that are unspoilt go to sardinia the caribbean of Italy. The people are elegant, fun, living their lifes, making the most of bad situations. Laid back but firey. Know how to live healthy without turning into bores like in the UK.

Honestly this is my favorite country.

Answer 9

Nice country side...very similar to the American southwest (arizona, new mexico, nevada and texas) Like 'some' of the food, but a lot is a little too heavy in cholesteral and fats.

Answer 10

though i have never been to italy..would love to go..i have found italian people i have met to be very friendly...with a couple exceptions, but they were nothing to speak of.