I am italian, i actually live in Italy (in Prato Tuscany, next to Firenze) and man....this video almost made me cry and "miss" Italy . That is how much i love living here . Yes surely some of us will comment here that "in big cities life is different" but that is the case everywhere . But you really cathed the core , the essence of the true LUXURY of living here as opposed to US and that is VALUE OVER VOLUME . A real Italian knows that . Sure there will be cases where some us might be strongly influenced by US "consume" and "pile up" culture , but the "core" of this country remains that of QUALITY over QUANTITY . I do have lots of friends from US and some italian friends who live there now, and even though i love US, i consider myself as extremely lucky to be living here instead . The reasons (some of them) are the ones you beautifully catched . Brava Madisun .
@@tewkewl When i was younger my father always used to tell me "remember son, everything is relative in this life" . And i never seemed to really understand what he meant . But i guess now i do (almost 50) , it means that nothing will be BIG enough or "enough" if you are not happy/serene to begin with . And it also means that sometimes having something "smaller" or "less" may seem as a huge step up if you see it from the right prespective . Basing our lives on "things" will NEVER work .
I can't believe I found this video. I lived in Southern Germany when I was in my young 20s for a total of 3 yrs. I loved life in Europe, almost stayed there. 25 years later I marry a Italian lady, we have taken long trips throughout Italy, and I have come to the same findings you have. Life in the US has become very toxic and life is to short, so I am selling my house in Houston and will move permanently to Italy.
no matter where you go there you are .... a similar lifestyle could be adopted in U.S. .... desire dictates effort ... it would be more difficult in U.S. because it is geared towards convenience so there is always that temptation. I also like doing things because I want to instead of because I have to. Once your aware of the possibilities or desire, it really becomes a matter of choice. There is no denying it is very beautiful, but so is the Rocky Mountains in Utah. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder🙏
I remember when my co-worker came back from visiting Italy and raved about it. She paused for a moment as to find the words to sum it up and then said what was so refreshing is that it was "people centred and not things centered"
I'm italian and this video made me smile. Times are changing, especially in the north we're working a lot, always in a rush. Italy is very different between different regions. But when it comes to food, when you sit at the table, sharing a good meal with your friends or family, we all unite as italians. We like to keep it simple. A plate of pasta, some good wine. Maybe we speak different dialects, eat different food, but food always brings us together from north to south, and we're very proud of it
They played A LOT on stereotypes.........so that the Video gets more views. A smaller percentage of people living in ITALY (pensioners and the affluent) CAN Actually Afford the LIFESTYLE portrayed in the Video..........I know thousands of workers in the COUNTRY and NOBODY Can Afford this Rich lifestyle........
I'm an American who moved to the UK in 2006 and now moving to Italy having bought a house in Puglia. I appreciate and adopted the work/life balance, slow pace and quality over quantity lifestyle.
@@elxakiltse8773 That's a tricky one, and it depends on what you are trying to do. If you want to retire, as long as you have enough passive income, you can apply for a retirement visa and can stay for a year and renew year after year. There are student and work visas you can apply for. I'm a digital nomad, and Italy approved a digital nomad visa, so if you earn enough that you aren't taking an Italian job, you can get an annual visa, but it has yet to be published how to apply, so we are still waiting while our house is being renovated. Also, the 90 day rule only applies to the Schengen Zone and Albania is just across the Adriatic by ferry from Brindisi or Bari and not in the Schengen zone, so you can spend 90 days in the Schengen zone and 90 days in other countries which are not in the Schengen Zone.
@@elxakiltse8773 Regarding tax, while you still have to file US taxes every year, if you work in another country, unless you earn a lot of money, you are not taxed on what you earn in that other country because you will be paying local tax on it. If there is a will, there is a way! Good luck!
I'm Italian and yes, in some more rural and typical places everything is as you described, but if you go to big cities, especially in the North, we are closer to the US than you can think 😅 but fortunately our love for sharing food, slow living and enjoying simple things is something we are very proud of
Be careful of your future, I don’t care how good the food is. I love what the culture has to offer, but I’m afraid I’m staying in the USA. God is here.❤️🕊🕊🕊❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@@nomenomenomen301 non proprio … il nord Italia a differenza del sud è sempre stato un territorio invaso . In 200 anni si è passati dagli spagnoli ai francesi e poi gli austriaci. La popolazione locale ha perso le proprie radici culturali per quel motivo (eccetto le zone di montagna ) la Lombardia soprattutto è sempre stata sfruttata solo come zona manifatturiera o di agricoltura intensiva già dai tempi di Napoleone …
@@nomenomenomen301 quindi non c’è da stupirsi che gli americani ( potenza coloniale ) abbiano sfruttato soprattutto i territori del nord già vittime da secoli di colonialismo
I write as a German who has lived many years in italy. Italy like the united states is very different from north to south Northern Italy is much more industrialized and this typical Italian way of living life is getting a little lost. In the south, on the other hand, the people are much more hospitable and the climate and villages are fantastic.( among the most beautiful in the world) If you know where to go southern Italy will surprise you a lot. I vote for a slower life full of small happiness as Italians know how to do :)
Si esatto. Mi piace la Germania, nonostante sia razzista nei confronti degli italiani. Solo chi, penso come te, ha avuto modo di vivere un po' in Italia capisce perché. Inevitabile che l ospite voglia diventare residente, poi sicuramente si dimentica la Ruhr 🤗
North italian way is lost? Dude North is italy too and always it lived as North italy. North of italy can be different from sud but is not like is less italy,at all. North of italy is very italian,but people think at italy as just caotic person that eat pasta and play mandolino...and that is a stereotype also for sud of italy. Is a stereotype of ONLY some part of sud,North of italy is always be culture of them own places.
I visited Italy in 2004 when my son was going to college there. It was August when many people in the EU take their annual 3 week summer vacations. Many go to Italy, so it was crowded. Even so, life was good. I would go back in a heartbeat, even in August. The Italian people are very social and gregarious by nature. Everywhere my son and I went the towns and cities were busy, people out everywhere walking, socializing, shopping, dining al fresco. Eating out in Italy is an art form of daily life. No matter the cost, the simplicity, or the extravagance of the ristorante all food in Italy is prepared with great care and attention to every detail. And there is never any rush. The food in Italy is superb everywhere. Travel an hour, or two in any direction and the cuisine changes, but the quality remains consistently extraordinary. Lastly, even though Italy is populated the Italian countryside is incredibly beautiful. The Dolomite mountains reminded me of the Rockies in MT, where I lived at the time. And then there's Venice. What a unique and remarkable place. No cars - anywhere. People walk, or take water taxies. The architecture is incredible. Beautiful churches and art museums full of the masterworks works of Italian artists going back centuries.
Just one correction: 3 week vacation is just a part of the annual payed vacation that are generally given to workers in EU! I'd say that generally is 5 or 6 weeks payed vacation annually. Please note: sickness leave is NOT vacation and it's payed, also.
@@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele True. In Italy, depending on the job, it's usally 30 workable days per year (when your week is 5 workbale days, it menas 6 full weeks). Not counting sikness days, which are also paid and not taken off from the vaation days. May be less money, but definitely higher life quality (and still enough money to enjoy it!)
I spent six and a half years working for a large company and traveled to Italy and the Italians would come to the U.S. All the videos I watch are people being in or describing the tourist side of Italy. I spent time in the north around Milan and a town called Biella which those areas are big in manufacturing. The common Italian doesn’t live as you present, they work hard for low pay and they’re day doesn’t stop for two hours and they don’t meander into work. They love the U.S. when they are here, at least all I worked with did. The food is GREAT! and they taught my wife how to cook real Italian and learned while I was there that the Italian food here is not Italian.
Love hearing what real life in Italy is like. I always wondered. You see all these small villages and beautiful beaches in vacation photos and bids and wonder, how life is on a daily basis.
That's the busiest and most "developed" part of Italy literally, it's not how most of us lives. A southerner almost gets a cultural shock when he moves to Milan.
@@seriejohnson698 difficult to find a job, salaries are miserable, government is useless and inclined to corruption, while the new italians appreciate less and less beauty and culture. Apart from that, fine thanks
She is living in a very tourist place, top travel destination, in a house that probably cost a week as much an Italian earn in one month... that's ridiculous!!! I am italian
I saw your video and liked the honest desire to show your daily life in Italy. I have lived in the U.S. and know many aspects of American life. I understand it isn't easy to compare two such different cultural worlds. We Italians are very good at seeing our flaws and those of our country. We've always had this tendency to believe that life is always better elsewhere. This mentality has changed a bit over the years, and we have finally understood Italy's great potential. We have the most extraordinary biodiversity in the world. We have been at the crossroads of different cultures for millennia: everything this diversity is still in our genome. To my American friends, you could find a more sustainable dimension of life in Italy, a country with great opportunities to feel good. But I would also like to tell Italians to believe in themselves more.
honestly, this video is about Italian life from the perspective of a turist. I'm Italian and I live in Liguria: trust me, you can't take the Cinque Terre as a good example of "Italian life style". Real life anywhere else is way more chaotic, especially if you have to work for your daily bread! :D
Ogni volta che sento un americano parlare, sembra di sentir parlare un bambino. Non hanno minimamente consapevolezza di ciò che gli sta intorno e non si fanno domande... ragionano per stereotipi e sentito dire
@@ausosail problema é che non siamo in grado di gestire una città con i tempi di un piccolo paese di borgata...sarebbe l ideale riuscirci....si riduce lo stress...ci si accorge degli altri...non ci vediamo più come persone ma come servitori e serviti....venditori e compratori...certo ci sono i parcogiochi e parchi per svagarsi in famiglia...
My Grandfather was born in Italy, then emigrated to England. I was born in England, and returned to Italy for good upon retirement. Having lived in Italy now for 9 years, it’s taught me to be far less materialistic and stressy all the time. I would never go back to my old life, and love the fact that food is local, plentiful, simple and fresh.
Intendi più semplice delle patate e del pesce che cucinano a Londra? Praticamente ti nutri di pasta bollita. Se c'è una cucina semplice è quella inglese praticamente non hanno nulla, sarà per questo che trovi le olive sott'olio con i canditi, ma questa non è ricercatezza è disperazione.
Surely living in Italy offers undeniable advantages in comparison with UK. On the other side you should consider that Italians generally don't have an enormous respect of nature and animals that is so deeply rooted in Britain. Furthermore Italy is one of the countries in the world where the fewest newspapers and books are sold. The result is a profound ignorance of its inhabitants. An example:They voted a fascist government in the last elections. That is like going back 80 years in one fell swoop.
In mid 80’s I spent 7 weeks teaching Italian engineers on statistical process control for our company. One young engineer asked me if I wanted to rent his grampa’s barn apartment. Hell yes! What I didn’t realize immediately was that meant I would join the family! Dinner together every night! Drinks after with a smoke. And lots of smiles and fast talking and use of hands! Haha. I slowly started to pick up phrases. But alas that 7 weeks FLEW BY far too quickly. I would love to get that back and experience it again. Exactly as it was. I love real Italians.
Per dire la verità dalle mie parti l'uso delle mani quando si parla è considerato maleducato e ci stupiamo quando vediamo in televisione voi americani che lo fate. Avete un'idea dell'Italia come se un paesetto fosse lo specchio di una nazione, un po' come noi negli anni '50 che pensavamo che negli Stati Uniti fossero tutti cowboys.
I really regret Anglo Americans are so rude with Italians from Italy in Usa, I lost completely my respet when I see Anglo people I ignore them completely.
I had breast cancer back in 2015-16 and often get asked what I learned from it or what has changed. I always say it taught me to slow down and notice the small things. I'm so glad you figured this out at a young age!
I was down financially for two months and really experienced the living the moment because having cash at hand makes you skip the moment .We godda slow down proactively i suppose .
Ok. As Americans we have been on the top on the world for like 2 centuries. Italians have been there for like a millennia and then retired. When I go there I get this feeling that nothing really matters so you might as well enjoy the ride while it lasts. Being there I got the same feeling I got by hanging out with my grandma. Yeah, life is hard, it sucks at times. But have a cup of coffee, let’s chat. It’s such a beautiful day…
I was blessed to have had the opportunity to work in Napoli for more than three yrs. Loved every moment. I miss driving past vesuvio and watching it change with the seasons. The slow pace, the espresso at the local cafe. The time to eat lunch with colleagues and completely forget about work in that moment. Such simple joys, I miss living there terribly. As one saying goes, “when you come to Napoli you cry twice. Once when you get here, and once when you leave”.
It sounds like you truly had a wonderful experience living and working in Napoli. The beauty of Vesuvio and the changing seasons must have been truly captivating. The relaxed pace of life, enjoying espresso at the local café, and taking the time to have lunch with colleagues sound like cherished moments. It's understandable that you miss living there dearly. The saying you mentioned encapsulates the bittersweet feeling of leaving a place that has brought you so much joy. Napoli has clearly made a lasting impact on you.
I'm French and I live in America. I live a slow, minimalist life style. I live in a tiny home, and I have a small basket that I shop with so I just buy what I need. I walk a lot, I love living simply and so connected to nature. It feels my soul so deeply. I don't need all the stress of the fast, more is more life. To me Less is more, and it feels very abundant. Thank you so much for this beautiful video, I wish it was longer, it was so refreshing And I do take naps, it's essential 😍
@@gabrielatalitha I don't find it difficult because it's my flow, I can't do any other way. I feel like there is many place in America here people live very slow. Also in Europe people go fast, it really depends where you are. You make your own reality wherever you are, it doesn't depends on the outside.
People have choices. Choices are great. So many people complain rather than make new choices to change their lives. America is not the problem. If you're not happy make better choices. You prove you can live the way and pace you like in America. If you can do it anyone can.
I think it helps a lot that you weren’t RAISED in America, with American values. I feel like we Americans are brainwashed from childhood (directly and indirectly via culture) to believe that work is identity, that failure is shameful, that hypermasculinity is holy, that community isn’t as relevant.
@@SoccerDua Maybe I couldn't say but yes America is based on consumerism, always more and more. Specially where I live in CA. I was choke the first time I came here as an aupair, the size of closet, the amount of clothes, the choices of milk in the store. I love shopping at small local store where I live, so much more authentic. But it's never to late to embrace this slow lifestyle.
Yes!!!!!!! I’m so happy that I just landed on this video. This is exactly what my husband and I did. We made the decision to relocate to the south of Italy to truly experience and embrace slow living. It’s been six years and we are so happy with our decision that I don’t think we would be able to go back. I have to say that it was actually an easy transition from our previous hectic lifestyle. We learned to let go of all the unnecessary things and live in the moment. Something that I really love is the fresh seasonal produce and how you can only find certain fruits and veggies during certain months. Unfortunately we do not have a garden but we do have a big enough terrace to grow some small things. This new slow lifestyle has changed the way we shop, prepare, and eat our food. It has also definitely changed my perspective on life. I’m looking forward to watching more of your videos and listening to your new podcast. Happy slow living! 🤍
I have never written a complaint online before but.. I wish your videos were like 2 hours long 😂 these are by far better than anything out in theaters! Loved this one very inspiring and thought provoking as per usual 💕
No matter what country we live in, Italy is such an inspiration to live contentedly and well no matter where you are at in life, their ability to Balance Work and Rest Creates the Enjoyment, I live in Canada and this is inspirational! Thanks!
While in the Navy went all over the world. Have traveled quite a bit in the following years and I can honestly and easily say that Italy was and is my favorite country. The food, the people, that landscape, the host and the architecture- and as you mentioned the pace of life. Your video brought me many fond memories and reminds me that I so need to go back and stay longer… and learn the language.
That's wonderful to hear! It sounds like Italy left a deep impression on you with its culinary delights, friendly people, stunning landscapes, rich history, and beautiful architecture. It's great that the video brought back fond memories and reignited your desire to revisit. Learning the language would definitely enhance your experience and allow you to immerse yourself even more in this beautiful country. Hopefully, you'll have the opportunity to go back and stay longer soon!
I lived in Italy for three years. It changed me for the better. I still go back every other year or so to visit friends and for holidays. Sicily and Florence are like my second homes.
@@theadventuresofgaryandtamm8759 Try it, you will feel so relaxed. Work in the morning, take a long lunch with friends. Nap, read, rest in the afternoon. Go for a leisurely, late dinner with friends. Wander the plaza and hear the music. European cities are designed for this walkability and enjoyment. They don't spend hours of their day in traffic.
@@theadventuresofgaryandtamm8759you can have it before 7:30. I often make pizza for lunch at home. It's easy and yummy. I always have flour, yeast, olive oil, tomatoes, onions and oregano at home.
That's so awesome I'm in America and it's the total opposite here. Your culture appreciates life and enjoys it. I admire that in America they live to work.
As a 4th generation Italian American, based in Orange County I so appreciate this ❤ love the slow, simple elements and the intentionality to sit and savor life Italy brings. I went to Italy for the first time with my Dad in early 2020, and fell in love. I felt right at home. We’re working on our Italian dual citizenship this year.
Your in oc ca or oc florida. There are many californians that have moved to italy. Spain and Portugal. Since nearly half of ca is hispanic. Many people are used to hearing Spanish. A number have also moved to mexico and others over 150000 californians left the us last year I am thinking of italy or go to guadejara or ensenada
Good luck with your double citizenship, hope you get it soon! I’d like to have A double citizenship myself, yet I’m Italian since at least the 16th century (maybe Austrian before that) and my wife’s too… Buona fortuna 👍!
I am Italian and I live on the Tuscan Riviera. Liguria and Cinque Terre are particular areas and most of Italy is very different. However, yes, for Italians quality is more important than quantity, in everything. Especially about food. The time spent at the table is not for eating but for social relationships: at the table everything stops and we are truly connected to each other.
Having lived most of my life in the UK, I had a similar experience to your family. In 2017 I moved to Italy and lived on a farm, on the Adriatic coast. I learnt from my amazing Italian neighbours, that a slower pace of life with less gadgets, spending time with friends and family, enjoying simple but very tasty food was definitely a much higher quality of life to the life I had been used to in the UK. I was treated like family, we had lunch together most days, lunch was usually 2½ to 3 hours. They told me to just go and pick whatever fruit and veg I wanted and would bring me a crate of freshly picked produce every other day anyway. I tried to help them as often as I could and if they saw me working outside they would come and help, even though they had an entire farm to manage! I probably enjoyed olive picking most of all, we would have a team of 10 or 12 of us, we would start at 07:30 have a break in the olive grove at 09:30 for food and drink for 20 minutes. Lunch was 12:30 to 14:30 and if we were still working a break for food at 17:30-18:00. Once all the olives were picked and sorted, we would drive the olives to the processors that evening, as timing is important. We did 5 groves over a two month period and they also helped me with the 50 odd olive trees by the house I was staying in. I got paid 15 litres of the best olive oil for my efforts. Life does not get any better than this 💚🤍❤
06-26-23 United States Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience in Italy. I love how there is such a sense of community. People are connected to one another and to the land. This is how life should be.
A two hour or more lunch sounds crazy to me . Too many other things to do more internet than stuffing food on my face for several hours . I like to feel productive and not lazy .between eating half the day and sleeping for a few hours each afternoon , how do you do anything productive or even support yourself ?
@@lauramcclain8651that’s life in a farm, do you forget that Italy is actually a developed country? That’s a rural life style that drives people also in the city by the ting to maintain time to socialise and have proper dinner, but in the city part of Italy we have the same productivity of any European country.
> lunch was usually 2½ to 3 hours I'm Italian and I'm kinda wondering what these people do in their lives to be able to afford so much time to dedicate to lunch.
I love my life in the US also. I do own a house in Italy and spend summers. People assume because I love Italy that equates to hating America but I love my country. I can also admit that we there are things that we can adopt from others. Wonderful video
@@michaelmayo-vb5fl for one fast medical care - try living in Eastern Europe with ambulances not fully equipped or one scan available for hundreds of thousands of people. Am convince Princess Diana could have survived yet her ambulance was not fully equipped. And yes social medicine makes you wait a month or so even if you need eye surgery. I lived it in France. I also lived that in Eastern Europe when my cousin got cancer- the only scan they had in the town was broken. We needed to drive four hours to go get a scan. You need to go and pay for a private clinic if you want fast service. The worse was no central heating in winter. Yes food is good all over if you can afford it. Long work days are hated by most and low salaries. We can’t glamorize everything. Customer service sucks in most Europe and of you are handicap don’t look for buses or streets to be easy to navigate. Yes beautiful architecture and quality food. And if you have a good job and retirement you can live well. The uSa generally has a lot of crime yet in Europe is starting and terrorism can happen anywhere - security sucks.
I'm from Italy...Tuscany...looking at my contry by your eyes I notice that it's really a wonderful place where to live. Our culture, especially in northern cities, unfortunately is becoming more "american" and stressing, but in center and southern Italy slow life and the art of the enjoy the living still survives. Thanks for this video
You're welcome! Italy, especially Tuscany, is indeed a beautiful place with a rich culture. It's great to hear that the slower-paced lifestyle and appreciation for the art of living still exists in the center and southern parts of the country. Every region in Italy offers its own unique charm and experiences. Enjoy and cherish the beauty of your country!
@@PoisonelleMisty4311 You are all over the people's conversation giving Pythian comments ......of neutral statements ....nothing else to do.? Take it easy
@@dimitriosvlissides5781 Maybe you're not used to women with brains. Why does it bother you? The world needs more passionate individuals and less pessimism. See this as a new learning opportunity. Don't you dare take my sunshine away
Sorry to hear because everything American touches it gets destroyed, there is no respect, culture and it’s all about how many cars can I owned , how many homes can I buy is all about production and the quality is so poor. To much freedom and to much of everything humans simply can not handle. No one really have no respect for this country as an American everyone seems burned out and brainwash. It’s a shame America is truly in a spiral and for failure. Enjoy your country Italy I oft en wish I would of relocated to it when I had the chance. To bad I did not ….
I travelled Italy for 12 days from Germany and I really loved and liked it. Their people are generous and friendly to strangers. Food, culture, weather, nature, work, people, everything still catch my heart. May Allah bless Italy and its people. From Bangladesh.
That's wonderful to hear! Italy is indeed a beautiful country with rich culture and history. It's great that you had such a positive experience and encountered friendly people along the way. Your appreciation and well wishes for Italy and its people are heartfelt. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and may you have many more amazing travel experiences in the future!
My husband and I (both retired) lived in Sulmona in the Abruzzo region for three months last year. The plan was to determine if we would buy a home immediately or take our time. Although it was a wonderfully slow pace and we didn't rent a car to better immerse ourselves in the culture we determined it wasn't the right time for us. We've been back in the US almost a full year and I long each day for the daily walks to the store, riding the bus to other small towns and the train out to the Adriatic for a day at the sea. We trained it all the way to Germany with overnight stops in Bologna and Venice. Italy is a beautiful country that we could all take many lessons from! Thank you for taking me back if only for a few minute. Someday I long to own a home there and become a fulltime resident, someday will happen!
Thank you for enhancing these aspects of my beloved land, Italy. Things in Italy are evolving and the reality is slowing changing with globalization, but we’re always proud of being Italian and all the things you’ve said are part of the Italian culture. Watching this video made me notice these aspects and made me remember how much I need to appreciate them and embrace them every day 💕💕💕 kisses from Italy 🇮🇹
I have decluttered so much in my home and life. It has made actually being able to take time to rest so much easier. I never understood how less stuff really helped the home stay cleaned, but it certainly does. It has given me so much time to rest and partake in fulfilling hobbies like gardening, reading, and going on walks. I don’t have to have the stress and thoughts in the back of my head about how much cleaning I’ll have to do if I decide to take a nap instead!
That's great to hear! Decluttering can indeed have a significant impact on our mental and physical well-being. With fewer distractions and things to clean, it's easier to relax and make time for activities that bring joy. The freedom from stress and the ability to fully enjoy hobbies are just some of the benefits of a decluttered space. Keep up the good work!
Hi, I saw your video this morning. I’m a Canadian… retired and living not far from the coast in Tuscany. You’ve nicely captured some of the essence of Italian life that is difficult to explain to folks who’ve never experienced it or don’t grasp the concept of making do. ☺️👏
Since my girls were small after lunch we have always had rest time. Now that they’re teenagers we all take naps in the afternoon. THEY asked to do rest time again after a period of not doing it. It improves our mood and health tremendously. Beautiful video!
I've never subscribed to someone based on one video, but there's a first for everything. It's great to hear that other Americans are craving this pace too. Especially grocery shopping, walking more, and being outside. Incredible filmed and edited video, I can't wait to explore your channel more.
I am counting down the days until I get to go back. Chilling at a cafe in the evening with an espresso watching people walk around, eating good simple food.. The best. This video was wonderful! thank you
I still remember the culture shock from coming to Germany as a born and raised Italian. Everyone was always in a bad mood; they didn't know how to lay back and relax and how to enjoy their lives. I was told I was lazy and spoilt. And they were not more wealthy or more learned than I or the people I knew from Italy. Looking back, I realized that I had been burdened by far too much by them and was expected to act like an adult (I was 11). In my free time, I did what I could to fill up my energies so I could keep going. Everybody else just seemed to push and push. Some suffered breakdowns in their later lives, and from others I found out that their "aims" were utterly useless, stupid and selfish. So, call me a lazy fool. I'm not ashamed of being Italian any more.
06-27-23 United States The Italians know what real living is, and what's really important in life: Friends and family. That's something to be proud of!🙂 Beautiful country and amazing food.
You know it is much colder in Germany, so you have to be constantly on the move to keep warm there. Germans may have appeared to be always inn a bad mood to you, but that´s not true at all - we are just a little less outgoindg as you guys down there.
@@bluebear6570 It was awful in the North. Now I live in Southern Germany, where people are much kinder. Come and visit the "guys down there" some day, we're just as human as you are.
I am glad you enjoied my region! In Italian culture, the philosophy of "less is more" reflects a broader cultural appreciation for understated elegance and a focus on quality over quantity. It's a guiding principle in both personal style and culinary traditions, highlighting the Italians' inclination towards refined simplicity in various aspects of our lives.
Ma dove? Genova è un delirio, bellissima città, bellissimi monumenti bellissimo acquario, ma un delirio. Nei boschi dell'interno ligure dopo aver visto le immondizie abbandonate, ho pensato che forse lo sport regionale consistesse nel lanciare vecchi elettrodomestici dalle discese. Le cinque terre hanno una vocazione turistica, è come fare un quadretto della Campania dopo aver visitato la costiera Amalfitana. Sarebbe ora di essere sinceri con noi stessi, meno catastrofisti ma nemmeno nasconderci dietro luoghi comuni.
I enjoyed living at Italy for 3 years. My husband and I love the language, culture and food! We had a good experiences with our neighbors. Our rental village was very close to Lago di Garda. We love it there ❤️💕
As an American, I've come to the same realization while living abroad in Germany and Italy for several years. It put family and work balance into perspective for me, and it helped me appreciate the simple life more. I definitely miss the siestas which I was so accustomed to growing up as a child. Your vlog of Italy was well edited and narrated. Ciao Bella!❤
As an Italian, I really thank you for this video. I live close to Milan, in a very industrialized area, still I can't get rid of this Italian lifestyle you described and that you made me proud of. Hope the world could start progressively slowing down and enjoy a bit more everyday life without needing to rush all the time.
Oh my goodness!! My husband and I went to Rome for our honeymoon and to get a blessing from the Pope in March. We stayed there 2 weeks and people looked at us like we were insane for only staying in Rome for 2 weeks. You’re so right when Americans just want to cram as much as they can. No wonder we are so tired all the time. We noticed the same things you did. Staying in one place for 2 weeks made us get to know the people and slow down. Even when you go to a restaurant, they let you stay as long as you like. There is no rush for the bill. We also noticed how food products expire within days or weeks, not like here in America, where something will last months or years in your pantry. We also shopped every other day at the very local market. The food had a better flavor there too. You actually enjoy life more when you slow down. I just fell in love with Italy and I would love to just live there too.
Staying in a country for 2 weeks does not equate to living in said country . Food products expire within days? Sounds like you've never set foot in an Italian supermarket. Love the way all you people are idealizing the country 😁 Rispondi
I'm so glad to hear that you had such a wonderful experience in Rome! It sounds like slowing down and immersing yourself in the local culture really allowed you to appreciate the beauty and charm of the city. I completely agree that taking the time to connect with people and savoring the delicious food can greatly enhance the overall experience. Italy is indeed a lovely country, and it's understandable why you would be tempted to live there. Thank you for sharing your positive insights, and I hope you have the chance to return to Italy again soon!
I live in Treviso, a beautiful city near Venice, Verona, the Dolomites... I was poor and very stressed from the age of 25 to 35, when I was obsessed with wanting to earn more. But in the last 15 years I have discovered that I am very rich, I can find a medieval fresco by taking a few steps for free, I arrive in the hills in 20 minutes, I can navigate a beautiful river (the Sile) with a small boat, I go to the snow in half an hour, I eat in a tavern with 25 euros per person, I find free concerts and events almost everywhere... and I'm much less stressed even having the same money
Totally agree! We just spent 5 weeks in Italy riding bikes from Rome to Lake Como (going north to London eventually). We spent rest days doing nothing! Love the slower pace, less choices and simpler life:)
You spent 5 weeks here as a tourist. Italian citizens work hard every day, many Italians, even on the weekend. If we did nothing, how do you think we could buy food, pay bills?
After spending 10 days in Italy on vacation I understand all of this. I grew up in a small texas town with Sicilian grandparents. We had coffee in the afternoon and they grew a garden. Italy felt like home to me the pace is not necessarily slower but more intentional.
Tons of retired folks everywhere drink coffee in the afternoon and grow a garden... How is that an Italian thing to do? Most people in Italy don't even have a yard where to grow a garden 🙄
@@prairietn1 nah I scoured the comments to discourage people from romanticizing a difficult country they know nothing about, which you would probably do as well if some clueless European made a similar video about the US. The grandparents part is irrelevant.
Thank you for this beautiful video. It spoke to me so much. I just came back from a vacation in Italy and I already miss it. I got a little emotional when you talked about a slower pace of life and how badly I want that living in a big Canadian city. The part where you mentioned just making do without also hit a nail on the head. Wishing you and your family all the best.
This video gives me life!! When you stepped out onto that balcony and into those sunbeams, ohhh my goodness my heart! That lemon tree, the view of the water, I died! Thank you for taking us along and sharing this beauty with us. I love love love the sentiment and the culture in Italy (and many other parts of the world!) that are so different from America. I dream about experiencing it for longer stretches of time, like you did!
I live in Italy and I too am an American. I couldn't agree more with every word you spoke. Sometimes I get annoyed at some of these things but your video popped up in my feed to remind me that this life I'm living here is God's gift to me. So thank you.❤
Preach it, sister. I’m an American with an Italian husband living in Tuscany. You are so right. When I go home to Texas to visit that first Walmart trip doesn’t hit as good as it used to.
Thank you so much for uploading such a warming and refreshing video. I am now stuck in clinical depression and bravely battling it. Your video is really a piece of sunshine for me. I am grateful to come across this video at this time.
Whenever I see videos about America I am always so grateful I was born in Europe, The Netherlands to be exact. I feel very safe here, work/life balance is great and it’s truly my home
America is the greatest place to live in the world don’t be fooled by people who tell you different. They’re usually leftest rich college students that have never spent a day out of their comfort zone with their soy latte’s.
@CDUB Oh, let's just drop the romantic slogans and national myths, everybodys reality is different and varies even from one neighbourhood to the other inside a same city, not to mention regionally or internationally. Wasn't the last republican presidential campaign all about making America great again? Bottom line, all countries have their perks and downsides and their issues and most people prefer the "devil they know". I have family and friends that ended up in U.S. for the past 30 years and all except one single mum really prospered in making money and landing good jobs, even having their own businesses, they own homes, put their kids through schools and college, saved up a lot, they're U.S. citizens, but in 30 years they've been there, they went to visit back home only once or twice, they rarely ever take a vacation and to their say the only thing you need in America is working suits and pajamas and the more money you make, the more you spend it. Same thing goes for this video, when an Italian mum is lucky to live, work and have a 2 hrs lunch break in a small italian town, siesta isn't on her to do list: the first thing she does is park the car in front of the school, get the bread in the bakery in front of the school, then picks up the kids from school, drives back home, cook lunch, eats, clean up and hurry back to work. Things are never as they seem... it would be too easy...
@@cdub4693 perhaps you could listen to those who have lived in several different places and drawn different conclusions to yours? There's much to admire and enjoy in the US but it is by no means the safest nor does it do well by its own citizens.
All of what you are saying is so true. I just got back from a two and a half week trip there and already restless to go back. Italy becomes a part of your soul the longer you stay there. The lifestyle is so simple and just so lovely ❤
Purtroppo viverci è differente. Almeno in alcune regioni o contesti.I cambiamenti imposti lavorativamente hanno modificato questo nostro modus vivendi.
Please do a whole video about the joy of limitations!! I love the idea. My family is in the process of claiming our Italian citizenship through our family line. My aunt and my cousin just got back from a trip to (mostly) Sicily. I can’t wait! I totally agree with the concepts you’ve presented in this video. It was delightful!! Thank you!
@@MadisunGray Oh dear!! I'm sorry to hear you missed out on Sicily. My kids always seem to get sick when we go on vacation. I think breaking from their normal routine throws their bodies off somehow.
Definitely agree of all the places I’ve been Italy would be my top choice to live. The pride they take in their public facilities and cities makes living there very enjoyable. Everyone is very polite, food, physical activity, history, proximity to other great traveling. It cannot be beat. Life expectancy is high etc.
I agree with this video completely! Each time I go to Europe I try to stay for at least a month. The slow-paced life is so relaxing and I get much more exercise and eat healthier when there.
This is SO SPOT ON! I spent the first part of this year in Naples. Coming back to America I felt the stark contrast in a way I never have before. I found myself jealous of the sincerity and intention in which they live life. The food was alive. When did our food become so toxic and void of life 😢 it's no wonder big pharma has become a mainstay and the norm. Our ways are making us sick, lonely and disconnected. It made me feel as if we live a gluttonous and extreme lifestyle. America is great and I love my country but I think we could turn the boat towards more of a European way of life and consumption ❤
A country without morality has problems. Greed is not a moral value. Materialism run amok is nothing. The US is way off what it pretends to value and be about. The hypocrisy is astounding. Italy has its issues too. Berlesconi was the Italian Trump. Their govts are extremely unstable. A nap is ok if you need one.
I'm Italian lived in America 10 years ago for little less than one year. Meanwhile i was in the US i realised how... how can i put it? How not human designed life is there. In few months my liver was damaged and i was buying exclusively "organic" at wholefood, 100 dollars a day in food (i have two children) and yet my body got very annoyed! When i was walking in Santa Monica (basically everyday, because being near the sea helped me to cope with my staying until the end of my children school year) i used to observe people walking their faces their behaviour, i was starting to doubt if i was in a real world or not! People looked soulless. Empty. Sorry i don't want to sound offensive, but I'm very sincere. They looked like extras in a movie set. I felt i was in another dimension. That people was alive but dead inside. The place was beautiful though. I got curious to know more about everything there food included. I made a search on internet and i found a documentary about food gmos, good farmers bad industries, it was eyes opening. Farmers are forced to use gmos otherwise they'll be boycotted but the big corporations and pushed to close the business. Also they showed the glue in the meat, they said that grains are injected with amongst other things with spider's DNA and that organic grains were seen in the american shelves for the last time in 1985 ! Hey! That was so shocking to me, i was wondering how any sane person would like to live in a place like that. You accept to be killed day by day. Nowadays if i go to US it is never more that 2 weeks. And it happened only a couple of times in 10 years. It's a long time that they undermine your health and food is not real is artificial dead stuff. You have two options, and btw even if you plant your own vegetables, the seeds are gmos, anyway the options are, destroy the evil system, rebel to it and get rid of the bad dudes or move away. If you come to Europe help us to defend our way of life because evil EU is determined to destroy also us. Very very sad
@@middaysun3553 Well my friend California is like that. It is a very shallow place. Overcrowded and it has no culture to speak of. The Old Mexican -Spanish somewhat diluted. The corporate system runs the world and it is hard to avoid no matter where you live.We plan on living in Mexico in retirement. Not in I taly. We live at the opposite side of the USA and we have no crime to speak of.My wife grew up in Mexico but was a US citizen. She wants to go back and frankly,I dont care. My relatives returned to Italy to visit and the ancestral village where that branch came from . NAVELLI in ABruzzi. It is as dead as a doornail. The other side came from the north. PARMA and near Genoa. Neither of them ever wanted to go back. Things are better than when they left, but despite being 100% Italian ancestry I have no desire to go to or live there. There is more to life than food. That food mania drives me up the wall.
@@kennkid9912 almost all towns and villages in the country are dead or dying. The young people ( half of them weren't born ) have gone to the cities. There's a l population crisis in Europe. They will be extinct in the not so distant future. If you don't care about what you eat, the USA may work for you.
First thing to say, amazing video! I will give you the perspective of an Italian which moved to Boston to study: I believe that you saw such a small part of Italy, and the concept of slow life really applies to certain areas (like Liguria where you've been, or a big part of the south). But I'd recommend you going to visit cities like Milan, where the rhythm of life is totally different, but with all the perks of being an Italian city. I would compare places like Liguria and the south more to rural areas of Texas or California. If you visit Milan, Rome, Venice, Florence, Bologna and many others, you will see how diverse Italy is. What I'm saying is that it's hard to judge the US just by visiting New York. So my tip is to explore Italy further and you love it also more. (For example, having a trip all around Sicily or Tuscany can be something you will never forget. I guarantee that!). Thanks again for the incredible video, hope you will appreciate my suggestion ☺
@@TheGreatWasian_ I definetely recommend it to you, especially coming from europe. Many other cities can be a “cultural shock” for european, and this is because of homeless people in the streets, crime and other problems. Boston is extremely safe, you don’t get to see these just cited things a lot, and Boston culture is just simply super good. The city is amazing, food is good (and I say this as an Italian) and sports are just amazing. I assure you that you will be extremely satisfied with your choice
@@rider4725 thanks for sharing that with me. That makes me happy to hear. Hopefully I can find a good job so that I can afford to live there and hopefully I’ll find a decent place to stay as well. One thing that I’m worried about a little bit is that I’ll probably be moving alone and away from family and friends and probably even my girlfriend for a bit. Does the city feel lonely a bit or is it easy to find friends/are the people friendly and inviting?
@@TheGreatWasian_ I’d say it really comes down to your job, the type of person you are and places you attend. There are lot of opportunities for networking at Harvard, MIT and other universities, during conferences and network events. Overall I’d say Boston is a solid city for meeting people, but just make sure you take advantage of your network and don’t be afraid to engage with conversations with strangers
Question: Did you live in one of the homes made into the hills? How big are they. As you get older it seems as if those home higher up would be harder to get to. Is it true that most people live in apartments or Condos. Do they have what the US call the Suburbs? Thank you😊
Second time watching this and I don't do that usually, I could watch over and over and won't get fed up with it. It's just beautiful 😍. Brings so much of satisfaction just seen the views and food, streets. Italy is one place I'd like to visit some day. You're a great content creator.
This was very much needed. Just to remind myself to be grateful for all that we have and to know that just consuming and wanting more does not necessarily bring happiness at all. I long to get back to Italy. It’s been far too long. Thank you for this.
Oh my goodness! It’s so nice to see Sardinia being more recognised! That’s where my husband is from and all of his family are there still ! I miss it so much but your video was a welcomed delight! Thank you ❤
Loved Italy and learned a lot. It has truly slowed me down. However, I love the USA. The beauty of being American is we do have a choice and I choose slow living and living with less.
We moved into a very small town that has a market for veggies and plants and random things every weekend. We can walk anywhere in town and are safe to do it even after dark. I love that we had the ability to choose too.
e' giusto amare il propio paese ; ma bisogna pure valutare come migliorare la propia vita ; ho amici americani come te e hanno capito, venendo nella vecchia Europa, che in Usa lo stress e la vita troppo materiale e' una vero virus che puo' rovinarti.
News Flash!!! Many people here in the US live the exact same way as you describe. You have to get out of the cities to do it but that slow paced lifestyle is literally everywhere and in almost every state. Having been to Italy but mostly to the larger cities I see them as No different than our big cities. Their busy! I grew up in a small town in western Virginia. Trust me the pace is much slower there and people have a different mindset when it comes to balancing life vs work. If that is what you desire you don't have to leave the US not that you said you wanted to. Thanks for the video.
Hello, I love your video. I find it relaxing. I am Italian and I live in Italy, but I'd say our daily life is not very different from yours. The rhythms are often frenetic. However, healthy food, cooking and having dinner all together at the table are part of our lifestyle. Wherever we live, it's up to us to live a different lifestyle, maybe a little slower!! Take care..
Wow…I’m in Italy on vacation with my family, traveling to as many places as we can be, and so far everything in this vid is on point from an outsider perspective, even the comment section. It changed the way my family and I view life. What a blessing from God, thanks for your vid and blessings to you and your family.
"2 hours closed on a perfectly good work day" took the words right out of my mouth. My feelings, at first, at the beginning of our 2 weeks in Italy. I didn't realize how relaxed I was until our final city before departure was Rome and I almost did not want to leave the room, it was like NY city but everyone spoke Italian.
It appears that the person is expressing their frustration about businesses being closed for 2 hours on what they consider to be a normal work day. However, as they spent two weeks in Italy, they began to appreciate the relaxed atmosphere of the country. They highlight their reluctance to leave their hotel room in Rome because it reminded them of New York City, but with everyone speaking Italian.
Madison, I loved this video so much! You nailed it by defining the fact that we have so much coming at us, at all times, it keeps our minds, busy and nervous and confused! I’m an old lady that grew up in Chicago but raised by old world Italians that only spoke Italian. In the 50s and 60s I had to take siesta at 1:30 every day lol! I didn’t always want to being a child wanting to run around and play outside, but grandmother would have me lay down, and sometimes I would go to sleep. It was a healthy routine, and I was blessed to have experienced their culture. We did go to Italy once, loved it, and I really should have stayed there! Thank you again for this video
Thank you so much for the kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! It sounds like your upbringing with old world Italians and their siesta routine was a valuable experience. It's interesting how different cultures have their own unique practices and traditions that can benefit our overall well-being. I'm glad you were able to visit Italy and have a wonderful time there as well. Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts!
Hello! I'm italian and this video has made me smile a lot because I live in the northeast part of Italy (+/-near Venice) and here instead we all run like mads everyday like you in the US 😂...so the fairytale you describe is not exactly how we live in the whole country, but of course there are some points in common (like the working hours with the lunch break can be 8-12/14-18 in many offices or the fact that we like simple but high quality food, every region has its own typical food culture, which is more like a religion for us😂😂 etc...) but you describe us ina positive/beautiful way so thank you ❤
Thank you for sharing your beautiful glimpse into life in Italy with your kids and husband. It's truly fascinating to witness the slower pace of life and appreciate the different perspectives and values that exist around the world. Italy's renowned culture of embracing la dolce vita, or the sweet life, is something that many of us can learn from. The ability to slow down, savor the simple joys, and prioritize quality time with loved ones is truly valuable in today's fast-paced world. Your video captures the essence of this lifestyle, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the charming scenery, delicious cuisine, and the warmth of the Italian people. It's heartwarming to see your family bonding and creating precious memories in such a beautiful setting. Thank you
You couldn’t be more spot on. I’m Canadian and we live just like American in our big cities! I have a cottage in the country side and every time I’m there (specially in the summer) I feel closer to an Italian life!
That's wonderful to hear! It's amazing how certain settings and experiences can evoke a different lifestyle and atmosphere. Having a cottage in the countryside must be a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The slower pace and serene surroundings can indeed remind one of the charm and tranquility often associated with Italian living. Enjoy your time at the cottage and the unique blend of Canadian and Italian influences it brings!
In many towns in Italy, life is everything but slow... especially in the north east. We have also malls, Mac Donald's, KFC, and other American stores. The difference is that in the weekend you can go in one hour in a very nice place to discard all the stress of the working days. In the US you can travel for hours and you can only find another city almost identical to the previous one.
Exactly. It depends where you go in Italy. My family is from padova and venezia and they work a lot. Also if you're there on vacation you don't feel the stress of a regular life with the stress of working every day.
I think if a person wants a slower-paced, intentional life you can find it anywhere. I have always chosen family over anything else. We might not have had everything but our time with one another has been priceless. I garden, cook, can and create things I need. It is always interesting to me when I see people who leave the US to find this. Best of luck to you in all your adventures!
Thank you for sharing your perspective! It's wonderful to hear that you have found a slower-paced and intentional life by prioritizing family and engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. It's true that such a lifestyle can be cultivated anywhere, as long as we are intentional about our choices and prioritize what truly matters to us. It's great to see that you have found contentment and meaning in your daily activities like gardening, cooking, canning, and creating. It's also interesting to note that some people do choose to leave their home country in search of a different lifestyle, but ultimately, everyone's path is unique and what works for one person may not work for another. Thank you for your well wishes, and may you continue to enjoy the richness of your intentional life with your family.
Oh Madi! Thank you for sharing. What beautiful reminders of actions we can take to live a more un-hustled life evidenced by places and people that actually have stayed consistent with their beliefs and truths about what is truly important. Love it. Welcome back home! ❤❤
Love this! We spent some time in Italy this summer, as well, and we actually cancelled one leg of the trip so we didn’t have to “go, go, go” the whole time. I love the slow culture. People ask what we did in Bellagio and I always say “nothing, and it was great 😊”. I will say, it was hard getting used to sitting at dinner for hours when we’re so used to eating fast. Your trip looks beautiful and I’m happy you got to experience that with your family.
I am Italian, living in the north of Italy. Watching your video I must confess that I never experienced the paced, calm, idyllic style of life you describe. Maybe in the South, but many people have always migrated to the North just to find a job and better opportunities to earn enogh money to feed their family. The Italy you describe is just a beautiful dream for bored rich tourists.
I watched this video 3 times! When I go to Greece, I always ask myself why I love our time there so much. My answers are usually no tv, dining outside, the people, the food, etc. You made some really good points I hadn’t thought about like accepting limitations, which we do when we’re there & embracing a culture that isn’t based on consumption. I would love for you to expand on this video! It was truly a piece of art.
One reason we have a house in Italy is for "la dolce far niente" Yes - first visits to Italy are often justifiably hectic. There is lots to see and it's impossible to not drink from a fire hose. But there is a whole other layer of Italy that is much more subtle but no less sublime. Italy became a single country in the late 1800's. As a result, Italy under the microscope is a mosaic of 1000's of little pieces. Each with its own food, customs and dialetto. Slowing down from a lightening pace reveals the wonders of that intimate Italy.
I helped my son buy a house just outside of Asti last year. I will begin to remodel it soon. The little village has just become a part of my life. I am getting to know people there. I am so happy to discover these things you speak of. To slow down and just be. Hang out in the kitchen with food from the garden or the one store in town. I can hear it in your voice as you speak, taking your time. What an odd concept for a US citizen.
Hi! I’m Nena! I live in California now, but I’m from Europe! This last video is really great! Everything that you said about Europe was opposite of what I felt to America when I came to live here! If you understand what I want to say. I used to that slow living and here everything is so fast and opposite , but I still love it 😊 I watch literally every video that you have on your UA-cam channel and you are inspiration for all moms! I started minimalist life because of your videos! Thank you! You are great and keep being like that! European mom of two Californians 😉
Lovely video, very interesting perspective❤ another crucial element in Europe is the presence of town squares. As far as I can tell the concept is missing in American suburbs. In European towns, there usually is a big park and square right in the middle with benches, fountains, et cetera that provides a place to sit and chat for the kids to play. Guess Central Park please the same role for New York? Town planning is very important to the development and to the atmosphere of the community.
Love this one! Getting more and more fascinated with their lifestyle. I think a more in-depth video on what they eat on a daily basis would be interesting! 🍋
I wonder if there is a cookbook or UA-cam channel for the food of this region? It looks delicious. I grew up way out in the country where life is still slower. I love that our phones don’t work when I go home. No service. I wonder if the tech pushes us? I don’t have a microwave. Don’t actually want one.
@@wendyduncan9084 Yup, just Google "Liguria Italy cuisine cookbook" - there are several and tons of websites with recipes :) PS: I don't have a microwave either (or a TV). It makes me cook more, so I end up eating better.
I am an Italian American and the things you said at the beginning about how the pace of life slows down in italy reminded me of the Sunday dinners at my grandparents house. I grew up in KC Missouri so it was very midwest. On Sundays, everything slowed down. We would go down to grandma and grandpa's house around noon. We would spend the whole day there until 9 or 10 at night. I remember us all sleeping in the car on the way home. Such special memories.❤
I am italian, i actually live in Italy (in Prato Tuscany, next to Firenze) and man....this video almost made me cry and "miss" Italy . That is how much i love living here . Yes surely some of us will comment here that "in big cities life is different" but that is the case everywhere . But you really cathed the core , the essence of the true LUXURY of living here as opposed to US and that is VALUE OVER VOLUME . A real Italian knows that . Sure there will be cases where some us might be strongly influenced by US "consume" and "pile up" culture , but the "core" of this country remains that of QUALITY over QUANTITY . I do have lots of friends from US and some italian friends who live there now, and even though i love US, i consider myself as extremely lucky to be living here instead . The reasons (some of them) are the ones you beautifully catched . Brava Madisun .
❤️
i am an american who is close to retiring in italy. i agree. it's the life style that is important. not the items you have.
@@tewkewl When i was younger my father always used to tell me "remember son, everything is relative in this life" . And i never seemed to really understand what he meant . But i guess now i do (almost 50) , it means that nothing will be BIG enough or "enough" if you are not happy/serene to begin with . And it also means that sometimes having something "smaller" or "less" may seem as a huge step up if you see it from the right prespective . Basing our lives on "things" will NEVER work .
Are you from Prato ? Is your surname Chen , Hu or Lin ?
prato non è invasa dai cinesi?
I can't believe I found this video. I lived in Southern Germany when I was in my young 20s for a total of 3 yrs. I loved life in Europe, almost stayed there. 25 years later I marry a Italian lady, we have taken long trips throughout Italy, and I have come to the same findings you have. Life in the US has become very toxic and life is to short, so I am selling my house in Houston and will move permanently to Italy.
👍❤️🇦🇺🇭🇺
Life in Houston isn’t toxic, but it is too much driving just like all of Texas. But they didn’t build the roads that way, so what can you do?
no matter where you go there you are .... a similar lifestyle could be adopted in U.S. .... desire dictates effort ... it would be more difficult in U.S. because it is geared towards convenience so there is always that temptation. I also like doing things because I want to instead of because I have to. Once your aware of the possibilities or desire, it really becomes a matter of choice. There is no denying it is very beautiful, but so is the Rocky Mountains in Utah. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder🙏
@@user-lt1jd1ye3v buy a really cool truck 😂🙏
Benvenuto in Italia! 😊
I remember when my co-worker came back
from visiting Italy and raved about it. She paused for a moment as to find the words to sum it up and then said what was so refreshing is that it was "people centred and not things centered"
Woah. Love that 🤩
True
Most immigrant families LIVING in America is *still* people centered. The Unfaithful is *things* centered due to vanity.
And I met Italian lady who moved to UK and loves it even more... Just comes back for warm holidays...
then the lady is not Italian, or she's got poor culture skills....
I'm italian and this video made me smile. Times are changing, especially in the north we're working a lot, always in a rush.
Italy is very different between different regions. But when it comes to food, when you sit at the table, sharing a good meal with your friends or family, we all unite as italians. We like to keep it simple. A plate of pasta, some good wine. Maybe we speak different dialects, eat different food, but food always brings us together from north to south, and we're very proud of it
guess where that influence came from :D
Aspetta ancora un po' di anni e se non ci diamo una svegliata a tavola divideremo bistecche sintetiche e Monsanto foods
@@LucaFlo-js9en e anche se fosse ? La nostra cucina evolve da secoli. Ed evolverà ancora, non ci vedo nulla di male
Forza Italia
They played A LOT on stereotypes.........so that the Video gets more views. A smaller percentage of people living in ITALY (pensioners and the affluent) CAN Actually Afford the LIFESTYLE portrayed in the Video..........I know thousands of workers in the COUNTRY and NOBODY Can Afford this Rich lifestyle........
I'm an American who moved to the UK in 2006 and now moving to Italy having bought a house in Puglia. I appreciate and adopted the work/life balance, slow pace and quality over quantity lifestyle.
How did you overcome the 90 day issue? I want to do the same, but feel imprisoned by the US tax and visa system.
@@elxakiltse8773 That's a tricky one, and it depends on what you are trying to do. If you want to retire, as long as you have enough passive income, you can apply for a retirement visa and can stay for a year and renew year after year. There are student and work visas you can apply for. I'm a digital nomad, and Italy approved a digital nomad visa, so if you earn enough that you aren't taking an Italian job, you can get an annual visa, but it has yet to be published how to apply, so we are still waiting while our house is being renovated. Also, the 90 day rule only applies to the Schengen Zone and Albania is just across the Adriatic by ferry from Brindisi or Bari and not in the Schengen zone, so you can spend 90 days in the Schengen zone and 90 days in other countries which are not in the Schengen Zone.
@@elxakiltse8773 Regarding tax, while you still have to file US taxes every year, if you work in another country, unless you earn a lot of money, you are not taxed on what you earn in that other country because you will be paying local tax on it. If there is a will, there is a way! Good luck!
@@davebanko4759 thanks for the info very informative
Yes of course Italy Spain Greece Portugal are the best countries if you have good amount of money❤
I'm Italian and yes, in some more rural and typical places everything is as you described, but if you go to big cities, especially in the North, we are closer to the US than you can think 😅 but fortunately our love for sharing food, slow living and enjoying simple things is something we are very proud of
Be careful of your future, I don’t care how good the food is. I love what the culture has to offer, but I’m afraid I’m staying in the USA. God is here.❤️🕊🕊🕊❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Sadly, the north looks like that because it followed the American model of industry and urbanisation and lost a part of its culture as a consequence
@@BGB370- with your guns
@@nomenomenomen301 non proprio … il nord Italia a differenza del sud è sempre stato un territorio invaso . In 200 anni si è passati dagli spagnoli ai francesi e poi gli austriaci. La popolazione locale ha perso le proprie radici culturali per quel motivo (eccetto le zone di montagna ) la Lombardia soprattutto è sempre stata sfruttata solo come zona manifatturiera o di agricoltura intensiva già dai tempi di Napoleone …
@@nomenomenomen301 quindi non c’è da stupirsi che gli americani ( potenza coloniale ) abbiano sfruttato soprattutto i territori del nord già vittime da secoli di colonialismo
I write as a German who has lived many years in italy.
Italy like the united states is very different from north to south
Northern Italy is much more industrialized and this typical Italian way of living life is getting a little lost.
In the south, on the other hand, the people are much more hospitable and the climate and villages are fantastic.( among the most beautiful in the world)
If you know where to go southern Italy will surprise you a lot.
I vote for a slower life full of small happiness as Italians know how to do :)
Si esatto. Mi piace la Germania, nonostante sia razzista nei confronti degli italiani. Solo chi, penso come te, ha avuto modo di vivere un po' in Italia capisce perché. Inevitabile che l ospite voglia diventare residente, poi sicuramente si dimentica la Ruhr 🤗
South will save the world...
Where in southern Italy would you recommend we visit on our honeymoon?
@@Dave351 Ciao, I live in a little village near Bologna, in Pianura Padana. We have quiet at home and city's life 28 km far. Ciao.
North italian way is lost? Dude North is italy too and always it lived as North italy. North of italy can be different from sud but is not like is less italy,at all. North of italy is very italian,but people think at italy as just caotic person that eat pasta and play mandolino...and that is a stereotype also for sud of italy. Is a stereotype of ONLY some part of sud,North of italy is always be culture of them own places.
I visited Italy in 2004 when my son was going to college there. It was August when many people in the EU take their annual 3 week summer vacations. Many go to Italy, so it was crowded. Even so, life was good. I would go back in a heartbeat, even in August.
The Italian people are very social and gregarious by nature. Everywhere my son and I went the towns and cities were busy, people out everywhere walking, socializing, shopping, dining al fresco.
Eating out in Italy is an art form of daily life. No matter the cost, the simplicity, or the extravagance of the ristorante all food in Italy is prepared with great care and attention to every detail. And there is never any rush. The food in Italy is superb everywhere. Travel an hour, or two in any direction and the cuisine changes, but the quality remains consistently extraordinary.
Lastly, even though Italy is populated the Italian countryside is incredibly beautiful. The Dolomite mountains reminded me of the Rockies in MT, where I lived at the time.
And then there's Venice. What a unique and remarkable place. No cars - anywhere. People walk, or take water taxies. The architecture is incredible. Beautiful churches and art museums full of the masterworks works of Italian artists going back centuries.
Just one correction: 3 week vacation is just a part of the annual payed vacation that are generally given to workers in EU! I'd say that generally is 5 or 6 weeks payed vacation annually. Please note: sickness leave is NOT vacation and it's payed, also.
@@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele True. In Italy, depending on the job, it's usally 30 workable days per year (when your week is 5 workbale days, it menas 6 full weeks). Not counting sikness days, which are also paid and not taken off from the vaation days.
May be less money, but definitely higher life quality (and still enough money to enjoy it!)
@@alessioartioli3323 exactly. Basically in every western European country they get this kind of treatment
I don't think you would find the same tranquility today. Cities are increasingly degraded and violent, and homelessness is on the rise.
"gregarious" is perfect for describing Italians!
I spent six and a half years working for a large company and traveled to Italy and the Italians would come to the U.S.
All the videos I watch are people being in or describing the tourist side of Italy.
I spent time in the north around Milan and a town called Biella which those areas are big in manufacturing.
The common Italian doesn’t live as you present, they work hard for low pay and they’re day doesn’t stop for two hours and they don’t meander into work.
They love the U.S. when they are here, at least all I worked with did.
The food is GREAT! and they taught my wife how to cook real Italian and learned while I was there that the Italian food here is not Italian.
Love hearing what real life in Italy is like. I always wondered. You see all these small villages and beautiful beaches in vacation photos and bids and wonder, how life is on a daily basis.
That's the busiest and most "developed" part of Italy literally, it's not how most of us lives.
A southerner almost gets a cultural shock when he moves to Milan.
@@seriejohnson698 difficult to find a job, salaries are miserable, government is useless and inclined to corruption, while the new italians appreciate less and less beauty and culture. Apart from that, fine thanks
@@Mezamoe Lol, ok I see. Not much better here in the United States…sounds like the same shit different countries. Lol
She is living in a very tourist place, top travel destination, in a house that probably cost a week as much an Italian earn in one month... that's ridiculous!!! I am italian
I saw your video and liked the honest desire to show your daily life in Italy. I have lived in the U.S. and know many aspects of American life. I understand it isn't easy to compare two such different cultural worlds. We Italians are very good at seeing our flaws and those of our country. We've always had this tendency to believe that life is always better elsewhere. This mentality has changed a bit over the years, and we have finally understood Italy's great potential. We have the most extraordinary biodiversity in the world. We have been at the crossroads of different cultures for millennia: everything this diversity is still in our genome. To my American friends, you could find a more sustainable dimension of life in Italy, a country with great opportunities to feel good. But I would also like to tell Italians to believe in themselves more.
honestly, this video is about Italian life from the perspective of a turist. I'm Italian and I live in Liguria: trust me, you can't take the Cinque Terre as a good example of "Italian life style". Real life anywhere else is way more chaotic, especially if you have to work for your daily bread! :D
esattamente
Ogni volta che sento un americano parlare, sembra di sentir parlare un bambino.
Non hanno minimamente consapevolezza di ciò che gli sta intorno e non si fanno domande... ragionano per stereotipi e sentito dire
always better than american lifestyle
Lo stile di vita delle piccole realtà penso sia uguale in tutt'Italia, è quando ti sposti nelle città che il ritmo cambia
@@ausosail problema é che non siamo in grado di gestire una città con i tempi di un piccolo paese di borgata...sarebbe l ideale riuscirci....si riduce lo stress...ci si accorge degli altri...non ci vediamo più come persone ma come servitori e serviti....venditori e compratori...certo ci sono i parcogiochi e parchi per svagarsi in famiglia...
I'm Irish I moved here 6 years ago and I will never leave ❤
Where
Good bless you forza Irlanda e forza Italia ❤
cause we re the best
That's not the motto. At all.
We just do it better.
@@joederocco9321
A bit too much of rain, but Ireland and irish people also are beatiful.
My Grandfather was born in Italy, then emigrated to England. I was born in England, and returned to Italy for good upon retirement.
Having lived in Italy now for 9 years, it’s taught me to be far less materialistic and stressy all the time. I would never go back to my old life, and love the fact that food is local, plentiful, simple and fresh.
Intendi più semplice delle patate e del pesce che cucinano a Londra? Praticamente ti nutri di pasta bollita. Se c'è una cucina semplice è quella inglese praticamente non hanno nulla, sarà per questo che trovi le olive sott'olio con i canditi, ma questa non è ricercatezza è disperazione.
Surely living in Italy offers undeniable advantages in comparison with UK. On the other side you should consider that Italians generally don't have an enormous respect of nature and animals that is so deeply rooted in Britain. Furthermore Italy is one of the countries in the world where the fewest newspapers and books are sold. The result is a profound ignorance of its inhabitants. An example:They voted a fascist government in the last elections. That is like going back 80 years in one fell swoop.
@@corradobenin117 scusa ma non hai capito nemmeno una parola del post
Obesity is very low in Italy.
@@SneakyKestrelanother homo sapient 😅
In mid 80’s I spent 7 weeks teaching Italian engineers on statistical process control for our company. One young engineer asked me if I wanted to rent his grampa’s barn apartment. Hell yes! What I didn’t realize immediately was that meant I would join the family! Dinner together every night! Drinks after with a smoke. And lots of smiles and fast talking and use of hands! Haha. I slowly started to pick up phrases. But alas that 7 weeks FLEW BY far too quickly. I would love to get that back and experience it again. Exactly as it was. I love real Italians.
Sounded way too sweet.
You were blessed
Per dire la verità dalle mie parti l'uso delle mani quando si parla è considerato maleducato e ci stupiamo quando vediamo in televisione voi americani che lo fate. Avete un'idea dell'Italia come se un paesetto fosse lo specchio di una nazione, un po' come noi negli anni '50 che pensavamo che negli Stati Uniti fossero tutti cowboys.
I really regret Anglo Americans are so rude with Italians from Italy in Usa, I lost completely my respet when I see Anglo people I ignore them completely.
I had breast cancer back in 2015-16 and often get asked what I learned from it or what has changed. I always say it taught me to slow down and notice the small things. I'm so glad you figured this out at a young age!
I was down financially for two months and really experienced the living the moment because having cash at hand makes you skip the moment .We godda slow down proactively i suppose .
Buona fortuna e buona vita !
..verissimo, la cosa più importante nella vita e' il nostro tempo,
meno ne rimane più è prezioso, un saluto da Ascoli Piceno " Marche" Italia
Ok.
As Americans we have been on the top on the world for like 2 centuries.
Italians have been there for like a millennia and then retired.
When I go there I get this feeling that nothing really matters so you might as well enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Being there I got the same feeling I got by hanging out with my grandma.
Yeah, life is hard, it sucks at times. But have a cup of coffee, let’s chat. It’s such a beautiful day…
America socially never has been and never will be at the top
The Romans ruled over three continents for five centuries, only to realize how stressful and unsustainable is having an empire...
You’re confused or plain stupid. America is on top of the world? I don’t think this video is about military domination or anything like it.
Which 2 centuries were they then?
I love this comment
I was blessed to have had the opportunity to work in Napoli for more than three yrs. Loved every moment. I miss driving past vesuvio and watching it change with the seasons. The slow pace, the espresso at the local cafe. The time to eat lunch with colleagues and completely forget about work in that moment. Such simple joys, I miss living there terribly. As one saying goes, “when you come to Napoli you cry twice. Once when you get here, and once when you leave”.
Thank' s for yout comment.
I lived in Germany but i am Neapolitan .
Forza Napoli🇮🇹💙
In Napoli they said "if you come to Naples you'll cry 2 times, when you arrive and when you leave" 😊
It sounds like you truly had a wonderful experience living and working in Napoli. The beauty of Vesuvio and the changing seasons must have been truly captivating. The relaxed pace of life, enjoying espresso at the local café, and taking the time to have lunch with colleagues sound like cherished moments. It's understandable that you miss living there dearly. The saying you mentioned encapsulates the bittersweet feeling of leaving a place that has brought you so much joy. Napoli has clearly made a lasting impact on you.
I'm French and I live in America. I live a slow, minimalist life style. I live in a tiny home, and I have a small basket that I shop with so I just buy what I need. I walk a lot, I love living simply and so connected to nature. It feels my soul so deeply. I don't need all the stress of the fast, more is more life. To me Less is more, and it feels very abundant. Thank you so much for this beautiful video, I wish it was longer, it was so refreshing And I do take naps, it's essential 😍
Yes! I love that❤️
@@gabrielatalitha I don't find it difficult because it's my flow, I can't do any other way. I feel like there is many place in America here people live very slow. Also in Europe people go fast, it really depends where you are. You make your own reality wherever you are, it doesn't depends on the outside.
People have choices. Choices are great. So many people complain rather than make new choices to change their lives. America is not the problem. If you're not happy make better choices. You prove you can live the way and pace you like in America. If you can do it anyone can.
I think it helps a lot that you weren’t RAISED in America, with American values. I feel like we Americans are brainwashed from childhood (directly and indirectly via culture) to believe that work is identity, that failure is shameful, that hypermasculinity is holy, that community isn’t as relevant.
@@SoccerDua Maybe I couldn't say but yes America is based on consumerism, always more and more. Specially where I live in CA. I was choke the first time I came here as an aupair, the size of closet, the amount of clothes, the choices of milk in the store. I love shopping at small local store where I live, so much more authentic. But it's never to late to embrace this slow lifestyle.
Yes!!!!!!! I’m so happy that I just landed on this video. This is exactly what my husband and I did. We made the decision to relocate to the south of Italy to truly experience and embrace slow living. It’s been six years and we are so happy with our decision that I don’t think we would be able to go back. I have to say that it was actually an easy transition from our previous hectic lifestyle. We learned to let go of all the unnecessary things and live in the moment. Something that I really love is the fresh seasonal produce and how you can only find certain fruits and veggies during certain months. Unfortunately we do not have a garden but we do have a big enough terrace to grow some small things.
This new slow lifestyle has changed the way we shop, prepare, and eat our food. It has also definitely changed my perspective on life. I’m looking forward to watching more of your videos and listening to your new podcast. Happy slow living!
🤍
I am American and moved to Puglia in March. The lifestyle is so calming and beautiful. My town is friendly and kind. I’m happier here for sure.
where in Puglia? I want to visit and see the towns there on my way to Sicily
@@MaryBartnikowski Polignano a Mare. Sadly I had to move back to USA due to family needs. I will return to live in Italy again.
Puglia is heaven, people is gentle and caring, and land is unique
I'll be in Sicily in March but maybe will come to Puglia first week of April. :) What town are you in?
@@MaryBartnikowski I was in Polignani a Mare. Sadly I had to return to USA for family.
I have never written a complaint online before but.. I wish your videos were like 2 hours long 😂 these are by far better than anything out in theaters! Loved this one very inspiring and thought provoking as per usual 💕
Thank you friend ❤️
Agree! I literally would watch her for hours. So calming & interesting!
Yesss!
YES I AGREE!!
I agree we need longer videos
No matter what country we live in, Italy is such an inspiration to live contentedly and well no matter where you are at in life, their ability to Balance Work and Rest Creates the Enjoyment, I live in Canada and this is inspirational! Thanks!
🙌🏾
Take a leap over the Alps, It will be a fabulous experience
While in the Navy went all over the world. Have traveled quite a bit in the following years and I can honestly and easily say that Italy was and is my favorite country. The food, the people, that landscape, the host and the architecture- and as you mentioned the pace of life. Your video brought me many fond memories and reminds me that I so need to go back and stay longer… and learn the language.
You are forgetting in USA , the government and the business are just wants to make money. They don’t care about your us
Same
That's wonderful to hear! It sounds like Italy left a deep impression on you with its culinary delights, friendly people, stunning landscapes, rich history, and beautiful architecture. It's great that the video brought back fond memories and reignited your desire to revisit. Learning the language would definitely enhance your experience and allow you to immerse yourself even more in this beautiful country. Hopefully, you'll have the opportunity to go back and stay longer soon!
I lived in Italy for three years. It changed me for the better. I still go back every other year or so to visit friends and for holidays. Sicily and Florence are like my second homes.
I am from Greece, we have a very similar life style here, shops are closed 2-5pm every day. We enjoy the simple things 🌺🍉🍷☀🎶
Love it!
No pizza until 7:30pm…how is that a simple thing?
@@theadventuresofgaryandtamm8759 Try it, you will feel so relaxed. Work in the morning, take a long lunch with friends. Nap, read, rest in the afternoon. Go for a leisurely, late dinner with friends. Wander the plaza and hear the music.
European cities are designed for this walkability and enjoyment. They don't spend hours of their day in traffic.
@@theadventuresofgaryandtamm8759you can have it before 7:30. I often make pizza for lunch at home. It's easy and yummy. I always have flour, yeast, olive oil, tomatoes, onions and oregano at home.
That's so awesome I'm in America and it's the total opposite here. Your culture appreciates life and enjoys it. I admire that in America they live to work.
As a 4th generation Italian American, based in Orange County I so appreciate this ❤ love the slow, simple elements and the intentionality to sit and savor life Italy brings. I went to Italy for the first time with my Dad in early 2020, and fell in love. I felt right at home. We’re working on our Italian dual citizenship this year.
Wow. Amazing ❤️
Your in oc ca or oc florida. There are many californians that have moved to italy. Spain and Portugal. Since nearly half of ca is hispanic. Many people are used to hearing Spanish. A number have also moved to mexico and others over 150000 californians left the us last year I am thinking of italy or go to guadejara or ensenada
@@josephaugello1527 Is there an Orange County in State of New York too?
@@matthiasewert3587 there is
And othersen.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_County,_New_York
Good luck with your double citizenship, hope you get it soon!
I’d like to have A double citizenship myself, yet I’m Italian since at least the 16th century (maybe Austrian before that) and my wife’s too…
Buona fortuna 👍!
I am Italian and I live on the Tuscan Riviera. Liguria and Cinque Terre are particular areas and most of Italy is very different. However, yes, for Italians quality is more important than quantity, in everything. Especially about food. The time spent at the table is not for eating but for social relationships: at the table everything stops and we are truly connected to each other.
Having lived most of my life in the UK, I had a similar experience to your family. In 2017 I moved to Italy and lived on a farm, on the Adriatic coast. I learnt from my amazing Italian neighbours, that a slower pace of life with less gadgets, spending time with friends and family, enjoying simple but very tasty food was definitely a much higher quality of life to the life I had been used to in the UK. I was treated like family, we had lunch together most days, lunch was usually 2½ to 3 hours. They told me to just go and pick whatever fruit and veg I wanted and would bring me a crate of freshly picked produce every other day anyway. I tried to help them as often as I could and if they saw me working outside they would come and help, even though they had an entire farm to manage! I probably enjoyed olive picking most of all, we would have a team of 10 or 12 of us, we would start at 07:30 have a break in the olive grove at 09:30 for food and drink for 20 minutes. Lunch was 12:30 to 14:30 and if we were still working a break for food at 17:30-18:00. Once all the olives were picked and sorted, we would drive the olives to the processors that evening, as timing is important. We did 5 groves over a two month period and they also helped me with the 50 odd olive trees by the house I was staying in. I got paid 15 litres of the best olive oil for my efforts. Life does not get any better than this 💚🤍❤
06-26-23
United States
Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience in Italy. I love how there is such a sense of community. People are connected to one another and to the land. This is how life should be.
A two hour or more lunch sounds crazy to me . Too many other things to do more internet than stuffing food on my face for several hours . I like to feel productive and not lazy .between eating half the day and sleeping for a few hours each afternoon , how do you do anything productive or even support yourself ?
@@lauramcclain8651that’s life in a farm, do you forget that Italy is actually a developed country? That’s a rural life style that drives people also in the city by the ting to maintain time to socialise and have proper dinner, but in the city part of Italy we have the same productivity of any European country.
@@lauramcclain8651 Two hour lunch does sound insane. Would have to move there to make it happen.
> lunch was usually 2½ to 3 hours
I'm Italian and I'm kinda wondering what these people do in their lives to be able to afford so much time to dedicate to lunch.
I love my life in the US also. I do own a house in Italy and spend summers. People assume because I love Italy that equates to hating America but I love my country. I can also admit that we there are things that we can adopt from others. Wonderful video
Thank you ❤️
@stephanie - beautiful comment.
I wanna know what's to love bout the United States lol I'm here my whole life. America is a trailer park. Wrapped in a Gucci belt
@@michaelmayo-vb5fl for one fast medical care - try living in Eastern Europe with ambulances not fully equipped or one scan available for hundreds of thousands of people. Am convince Princess Diana could have survived yet her ambulance was not fully equipped. And yes social medicine makes you wait a month or so even if you need eye surgery. I lived it in France. I also lived that in Eastern Europe when my cousin got cancer- the only scan they had in the town was broken. We needed to drive four hours to go get a scan. You need to go and pay for a private clinic if you want fast service. The worse was no central heating in winter. Yes food is good all over if you can afford it. Long work days are hated by most and low salaries. We can’t glamorize everything. Customer service sucks in most Europe and of you are handicap don’t look for buses or streets to be easy to navigate. Yes beautiful architecture and quality food. And if you have a good job and retirement you can live well. The uSa generally has a lot of crime yet in Europe is starting and terrorism can happen anywhere - security sucks.
@@elizabethwilk9615 a lot of the problems you just pointed out happen in the US too
I'm from Italy...Tuscany...looking at my contry by your eyes I notice that it's really a wonderful place where to live. Our culture, especially in northern cities, unfortunately is becoming more "american" and stressing, but in center and southern Italy slow life and the art of the enjoy the living still survives. Thanks for this video
You're welcome! Italy, especially Tuscany, is indeed a beautiful place with a rich culture. It's great to hear that the slower-paced lifestyle and appreciation for the art of living still exists in the center and southern parts of the country. Every region in Italy offers its own unique charm and experiences. Enjoy and cherish the beauty of your country!
@@PoisonelleMisty4311 You are all over the people's conversation giving Pythian comments ......of neutral statements ....nothing else to do.?
Take it easy
@@dimitriosvlissides5781 Maybe you're not used to women with brains. Why does it bother you? The world needs more passionate individuals and less pessimism. See this as a new learning opportunity. Don't you dare take my sunshine away
Sorry to hear because everything American touches it gets destroyed, there is no respect, culture and it’s all about how many cars can I owned , how many homes can I buy is all about production and the quality is so poor. To much freedom and to much of everything humans simply can not handle. No one really have no respect for this country as an American everyone seems burned out and brainwash. It’s a shame America is truly in a spiral and for failure. Enjoy your country Italy I oft en wish I would of relocated to it when I had the chance. To bad I did not ….
l' Italia simile all'America?? ma cosa vi siete fumati?????
I travelled Italy for 12 days from Germany and I really loved and liked it. Their people are generous and friendly to strangers. Food, culture, weather, nature, work, people, everything still catch my heart. May Allah bless Italy and its people. From Bangladesh.
Grazie x le tue belle parole su gli italiani e l Italia,un grande abbraccio amico!
Take a tour in Amalfi, you will see unique places
my friend, they were not friendly, they were trying to fool you as hard as they could
That's wonderful to hear! Italy is indeed a beautiful country with rich culture and history. It's great that you had such a positive experience and encountered friendly people along the way. Your appreciation and well wishes for Italy and its people are heartfelt. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and may you have many more amazing travel experiences in the future!
THANKS...GREETINGS FROM VIAGGI REALI.@@PoisonelleMisty4311
My husband and I (both retired) lived in Sulmona in the Abruzzo region for three months last year. The plan was to determine if we would buy a home immediately or take our time. Although it was a wonderfully slow pace and we didn't rent a car to better immerse ourselves in the culture we determined it wasn't the right time for us. We've been back in the US almost a full year and I long each day for the daily walks to the store, riding the bus to other small towns and the train out to the Adriatic for a day at the sea. We trained it all the way to Germany with overnight stops in Bologna and Venice. Italy is a beautiful country that we could all take many lessons from! Thank you for taking me back if only for a few minute. Someday I long to own a home there and become a fulltime resident, someday will happen!
🙌🏾
Absolutely one of the best captures of what is important about Italy.
Thank you for enhancing these aspects of my beloved land, Italy. Things in Italy are evolving and the reality is slowing changing with globalization, but we’re always proud of being Italian and all the things you’ve said are part of the Italian culture. Watching this video made me notice these aspects and made me remember how much I need to appreciate them and embrace them every day 💕💕💕 kisses from Italy 🇮🇹
Ciao 😘
l'Italia si deve amare,
Take a trip to Italy, you will taste excellent food
I have decluttered so much in my home and life. It has made actually being able to take time to rest so much easier. I never understood how less stuff really helped the home stay cleaned, but it certainly does. It has given me so much time to rest and partake in fulfilling hobbies like gardening, reading, and going on walks. I don’t have to have the stress and thoughts in the back of my head about how much cleaning I’ll have to do if I decide to take a nap instead!
Yes! I believe it starts with decluttering. Your space affects us more than we think.
That's great to hear! Decluttering can indeed have a significant impact on our mental and physical well-being. With fewer distractions and things to clean, it's easier to relax and make time for activities that bring joy. The freedom from stress and the ability to fully enjoy hobbies are just some of the benefits of a decluttered space. Keep up the good work!
Hi, I saw your video this morning. I’m a Canadian… retired and living not far from the coast in Tuscany. You’ve nicely captured some of the essence of Italian life that is difficult to explain to folks who’ve never experienced it or don’t grasp the concept of making do. ☺️👏
Since my girls were small after lunch we have always had rest time. Now that they’re teenagers we all take naps in the afternoon. THEY asked to do rest time again after a period of not doing it. It improves our mood and health tremendously. Beautiful video!
That sounds amazing 🤩
We do the same!😊😊
It was the happiest 12 days of my life...in Italia. ❤ This is a beautiful video essay.
I've never subscribed to someone based on one video, but there's a first for everything. It's great to hear that other Americans are craving this pace too. Especially grocery shopping, walking more, and being outside. Incredible filmed and edited video, I can't wait to explore your channel more.
I am counting down the days until I get to go back. Chilling at a cafe in the evening with an espresso watching people walk around, eating good simple food.. The best. This video was wonderful! thank you
I still remember the culture shock from coming to Germany as a born and raised Italian. Everyone was always in a bad mood; they didn't know how to lay back and relax and how to enjoy their lives. I was told I was lazy and spoilt. And they were not more wealthy or more learned than I or the people I knew from Italy.
Looking back, I realized that I had been burdened by far too much by them and was expected to act like an adult (I was 11). In my free time, I did what I could to fill up my energies so I could keep going. Everybody else just seemed to push and push. Some suffered breakdowns in their later lives, and from others I found out that their "aims" were utterly useless, stupid and selfish.
So, call me a lazy fool. I'm not ashamed of being Italian any more.
06-27-23
United States
The Italians know what real living is, and what's really important in life: Friends and family. That's something to be proud of!🙂
Beautiful country and amazing food.
You know it is much colder in Germany, so you have to be constantly on the move to keep warm there. Germans may have appeared to be always inn a bad mood to you, but that´s not true at all - we are just a little less outgoindg as you guys down there.
@@bluebear6570 It was awful in the North. Now I live in Southern Germany, where people are much kinder.
Come and visit the "guys down there" some day, we're just as human as you are.
Sempre fieri di essere italiani, anche coi nostri difetti, saluti dall'Italia
@@a.m.4148 Believing that Italians won't work is about as realistic as believing that in Germany trains are always punctual. 🙄
I am glad you enjoied my region! In Italian culture, the philosophy of "less is more" reflects a broader cultural appreciation for understated elegance and a focus on quality over quantity. It's a guiding principle in both personal style and culinary traditions, highlighting the Italians' inclination towards refined simplicity in various aspects of our lives.
very nicely put.
Ma dove? Genova è un delirio, bellissima città, bellissimi monumenti bellissimo acquario, ma un delirio. Nei boschi dell'interno ligure dopo aver visto le immondizie abbandonate, ho pensato che forse lo sport regionale consistesse nel lanciare vecchi elettrodomestici dalle discese.
Le cinque terre hanno una vocazione turistica, è come fare un quadretto della Campania dopo aver visitato la costiera Amalfitana. Sarebbe ora di essere sinceri con noi stessi, meno catastrofisti ma nemmeno nasconderci dietro luoghi comuni.
As Italian, I'm glad you understood and appreciated our culture and way to live :)
Minchia ma ci ha dato del sempliciotto di paese e la ringrazi pure?!
😂😂
@@ipertaro1990 a me non sembra abbia detto questo. E comunque vivere la vita in modo semplice, easy, non è per forza sinonimo di cosa negativa, anzi
Able to Visit Italy for 3 weeks last summer and my wife and I both feel in love with how relaxed it is. Your video couldn't say it any better.
Come to Italy, you will see incomparable places
I enjoyed living at Italy for 3 years. My husband and I love the language, culture and food! We had a good experiences with our neighbors. Our rental village was very close to Lago di Garda. We love it there ❤️💕
❤️❤️
Take a tour in Naples, you will see unique places
As an American, I've come to the same realization while living abroad in Germany and Italy for several years. It put family and work balance into perspective for me, and it helped me appreciate the simple life more. I definitely miss the siestas which I was so accustomed to growing up as a child. Your vlog of Italy was well edited and narrated. Ciao Bella!❤
As an Italian, I really thank you for this video. I live close to Milan, in a very industrialized area, still I can't get rid of this Italian lifestyle you described and that you made me proud of. Hope the world could start progressively slowing down and enjoy a bit more everyday life without needing to rush all the time.
Oh my goodness!! My husband and I went to Rome for our honeymoon and to get a blessing from the Pope in March. We stayed there 2 weeks and people looked at us like we were insane for only staying in Rome for 2 weeks. You’re so right when Americans just want to cram as much as they can. No wonder we are so tired all the time. We noticed the same things you did. Staying in one place for 2 weeks made us get to know the people and slow down. Even when you go to a restaurant, they let you stay as long as you like. There is no rush for the bill. We also noticed how food products expire within days or weeks, not like here in America, where something will last months or years in your pantry. We also shopped every other day at the very local market. The food had a better flavor there too. You actually enjoy life more when you slow down. I just fell in love with Italy and I would love to just live there too.
Sounds DREAMY 😘
Staying in a country for 2 weeks does not equate to living in said country .
Food products expire within days? Sounds like you've never set foot in an Italian supermarket.
Love the way all you people are idealizing the country 😁
Rispondi
It reminds of my country Peru, but of course Peru is in trouble now.
I'm so glad to hear that you had such a wonderful experience in Rome! It sounds like slowing down and immersing yourself in the local culture really allowed you to appreciate the beauty and charm of the city. I completely agree that taking the time to connect with people and savoring the delicious food can greatly enhance the overall experience. Italy is indeed a lovely country, and it's understandable why you would be tempted to live there. Thank you for sharing your positive insights, and I hope you have the chance to return to Italy again soon!
This! Your video captures the heart of Italy. It’s why I keep going back to this beautiful country over and over again.
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I live in Treviso, a beautiful city near Venice, Verona, the Dolomites... I was poor and very stressed from the age of 25 to 35, when I was obsessed with wanting to earn more. But in the last 15 years I have discovered that I am very rich, I can find a medieval fresco by taking a few steps for free, I arrive in the hills in 20 minutes, I can navigate a beautiful river (the Sile) with a small boat, I go to the snow in half an hour, I eat in a tavern with 25 euros per person, I find free concerts and events almost everywhere... and I'm much less stressed even having the same money
Vivo a Vicenza e devo ammettere che Treviso è una città bellissima
Totally agree! We just spent 5 weeks in Italy riding bikes from Rome to Lake Como (going north to London eventually). We spent rest days doing nothing! Love the slower pace, less choices and simpler life:)
Slower pace???!? Have you ever visit Milan or Turin?
You spent 5 weeks here as a tourist. Italian citizens work hard every day, many Italians, even on the weekend. If we did nothing, how do you think we could buy food, pay bills?
After spending 10 days in Italy on vacation I understand all of this. I grew up in a small texas town with Sicilian grandparents. We had coffee in the afternoon and they grew a garden. Italy felt like home to me the pace is not necessarily slower but more intentional.
Tons of retired folks everywhere drink coffee in the afternoon and grow a garden... How is that an Italian thing to do? Most people in Italy don't even have a yard where to grow a garden 🙄
@@sallyann985 so you scoured the comments to say something negative about my memory of my grandparents? Bless your heart.
@@prairietn1 nah I scoured the comments to discourage people from romanticizing a difficult country they know nothing about, which you would probably do as well if some clueless European made a similar video about the US. The grandparents part is irrelevant.
Thank you for this beautiful video. It spoke to me so much. I just came back from a vacation in Italy and I already miss it. I got a little emotional when you talked about a slower pace of life and how badly I want that living in a big Canadian city. The part where you mentioned just making do without also hit a nail on the head.
Wishing you and your family all the best.
This video gives me life!! When you stepped out onto that balcony and into those sunbeams, ohhh my goodness my heart! That lemon tree, the view of the water, I died! Thank you for taking us along and sharing this beauty with us. I love love love the sentiment and the culture in Italy (and many other parts of the world!) that are so different from America. I dream about experiencing it for longer stretches of time, like you did!
Thanks for watching ❤️
You are so right !
I live in Italy and I too am an American. I couldn't agree more with every word you spoke. Sometimes I get annoyed at some of these things but your video popped up in my feed to remind me that this life I'm living here is God's gift to me. So thank you.❤
Yes 🙌🏾
Preach it, sister. I’m an American with an Italian husband living in Tuscany. You are so right. When I go home to Texas to visit that first Walmart trip doesn’t hit as good as it used to.
Thank you so much for uploading such a warming and refreshing video. I am now stuck in clinical depression and bravely battling it. Your video is really a piece of sunshine for me. I am grateful to come across this video at this time.
Whenever I see videos about America I am always so grateful I was born in Europe, The Netherlands to be exact. I feel very safe here, work/life balance is great and it’s truly my home
Definitely slower pace.
America is the greatest place to live in the world don’t be fooled by people who tell you different. They’re usually leftest rich college students that have never spent a day out of their comfort zone with their soy latte’s.
US is ranked 128 in safety, I think every European country beats it, Portugal is 5
@CDUB Oh, let's just drop the romantic slogans and national myths, everybodys reality is different and varies even from one neighbourhood to the other inside a same city, not to mention regionally or internationally. Wasn't the last republican presidential campaign all about making America great again? Bottom line, all countries have their perks and downsides and their issues and most people prefer the "devil they know". I have family and friends that ended up in U.S. for the past 30 years and all except one single mum really prospered in making money and landing good jobs, even having their own businesses, they own homes, put their kids through schools and college, saved up a lot, they're U.S. citizens, but in 30 years they've been there, they went to visit back home only once or twice, they rarely ever take a vacation and to their say the only thing you need in America is working suits and pajamas and the more money you make, the more you spend it.
Same thing goes for this video, when an Italian mum is lucky to live, work and have a 2 hrs lunch break in a small italian town, siesta isn't on her to do list: the first thing she does is park the car in front of the school, get the bread in the bakery in front of the school, then picks up the kids from school, drives back home, cook lunch, eats, clean up and hurry back to work. Things are never as they seem... it would be too easy...
@@cdub4693 perhaps you could listen to those who have lived in several different places and drawn different conclusions to yours? There's much to admire and enjoy in the US but it is by no means the safest nor does it do well by its own citizens.
Being satisfied with what you have!
This was lovely! My son and I plan to make Italy a part-time home because of these reasons.
All of what you are saying is so true. I just got back from a two and a half week trip there and already restless to go back. Italy becomes a part of your soul the longer you stay there. The lifestyle is so simple and just so lovely ❤
Grazie,ti aspettiamo ancora in Italia,ciaoo
Purtroppo viverci è differente.
Almeno in alcune regioni o contesti.I cambiamenti imposti lavorativamente hanno modificato questo nostro modus vivendi.
You have described our way of life well; I hope you spent happy days in Italy and that you desire to return. A hug to you and your wonderful family
Please do a whole video about the joy of limitations!! I love the idea. My family is in the process of claiming our Italian citizenship through our family line. My aunt and my cousin just got back from a trip to (mostly) Sicily. I can’t wait! I totally agree with the concepts you’ve presented in this video. It was delightful!! Thank you!
We wanted to go to Sicily but that’s the part we canceled when we got sick.
@@MadisunGray Oh dear!! I'm sorry to hear you missed out on Sicily. My kids always seem to get sick when we go on vacation. I think breaking from their normal routine throws their bodies off somehow.
Definitely agree of all the places I’ve been Italy would be my top choice to live. The pride they take in their public facilities and cities makes living there very enjoyable. Everyone is very polite, food, physical activity, history, proximity to other great traveling. It cannot be beat. Life expectancy is high etc.
❤
I agree with this video completely! Each time I go to Europe I try to stay for at least a month. The slow-paced life is so relaxing and I get much more exercise and eat healthier when there.
I can’t convey how much I needed this video today! Thank you so much!
This is SO SPOT ON! I spent the first part of this year in Naples. Coming back to America I felt the stark contrast in a way I never have before. I found myself jealous of the sincerity and intention in which they live life. The food was alive. When did our food become so toxic and void of life 😢 it's no wonder big pharma has become a mainstay and the norm. Our ways are making us sick, lonely and disconnected. It made me feel as if we live a gluttonous and extreme lifestyle. America is great and I love my country but I think we could turn the boat towards more of a European way of life and consumption ❤
A country without morality has problems. Greed is not a moral value. Materialism run amok is nothing. The US is way off what it pretends to value and be about. The hypocrisy is astounding. Italy has its issues too. Berlesconi was the Italian Trump. Their govts are extremely unstable. A nap is ok if you need one.
Life in the US is designed that way ( to make you sick ). Americans are ( nearly ) bottom of the " world's Healthy List ' Leave the USA..
I'm Italian lived in America 10 years ago for little less than one year. Meanwhile i was in the US i realised how... how can i put it? How not human designed life is there. In few months my liver was damaged and i was buying exclusively "organic" at wholefood, 100 dollars a day in food (i have two children) and yet my body got very annoyed! When i was walking in Santa Monica (basically everyday, because being near the sea helped me to cope with my staying until the end of my children school year) i used to observe people walking their faces their behaviour, i was starting to doubt if i was in a real world or not! People looked soulless. Empty. Sorry i don't want to sound offensive, but I'm very sincere. They looked like extras in a movie set. I felt i was in another dimension. That people was alive but dead inside. The place was beautiful though. I got curious to know more about everything there food included. I made a search on internet and i found a documentary about food gmos, good farmers bad industries, it was eyes opening. Farmers are forced to use gmos otherwise they'll be boycotted but the big corporations and pushed to close the business. Also they showed the glue in the meat, they said that grains are injected with amongst other things with spider's DNA and that organic grains were seen in the american shelves for the last time in 1985 ! Hey! That was so shocking to me, i was wondering how any sane person would like to live in a place like that. You accept to be killed day by day. Nowadays if i go to US it is never more that 2 weeks. And it happened only a couple of times in 10 years. It's a long time that they undermine your health and food is not real is artificial dead stuff. You have two options, and btw even if you plant your own vegetables, the seeds are gmos, anyway the options are, destroy the evil system, rebel to it and get rid of the bad dudes or move away. If you come to Europe help us to defend our way of life because evil EU is determined to destroy also us. Very very sad
@@middaysun3553 Well my friend California is like that. It is a very shallow place. Overcrowded and it has no culture to speak of. The Old Mexican -Spanish somewhat diluted. The corporate system runs the world and it is hard to avoid no matter where you live.We plan on living in Mexico in retirement. Not in I taly. We live at the opposite side of the USA and we have no crime to speak of.My wife grew up in Mexico but was a US citizen. She wants to go back and frankly,I dont care. My relatives returned to Italy to visit and the ancestral village where that branch came from . NAVELLI in ABruzzi. It is as dead as a doornail. The other side came from the north. PARMA and near Genoa. Neither of them ever wanted to go back. Things are better than when they left, but despite being 100% Italian ancestry I have no desire to go to or live there. There is more to life than food. That food mania drives me up the wall.
@@kennkid9912 almost all towns and villages in the country are dead or dying. The young people ( half of them weren't born ) have gone to the cities. There's a l population crisis in Europe. They will be extinct in the not so distant future. If you don't care about what you eat, the USA may work for you.
First thing to say, amazing video! I will give you the perspective of an Italian which moved to Boston to study:
I believe that you saw such a small part of Italy, and the concept of slow life really applies to certain areas (like Liguria where you've been, or a big part of the south). But I'd recommend you going to visit cities like Milan, where the rhythm of life is totally different, but with all the perks of being an Italian city. I would compare places like Liguria and the south more to rural areas of Texas or California. If you visit Milan, Rome, Venice, Florence, Bologna and many others, you will see how diverse Italy is. What I'm saying is that it's hard to judge the US just by visiting New York. So my tip is to explore Italy further and you love it also more. (For example, having a trip all around Sicily or Tuscany can be something you will never forget. I guarantee that!).
Thanks again for the incredible video, hope you will appreciate my suggestion ☺
Do you like Boston? I’m an American and considering moving to Boston. It’s considered the “most European city” in the USA
@@TheGreatWasian_ I definetely recommend it to you, especially coming from europe. Many other cities can be a “cultural shock” for european, and this is because of homeless people in the streets, crime and other problems. Boston is extremely safe, you don’t get to see these just cited things a lot, and Boston culture is just simply super good. The city is amazing, food is good (and I say this as an Italian) and sports are just amazing. I assure you that you will be extremely satisfied with your choice
@@rider4725 thanks for sharing that with me. That makes me happy to hear. Hopefully I can find a good job so that I can afford to live there and hopefully I’ll find a decent place to stay as well. One thing that I’m worried about a little bit is that I’ll probably be moving alone and away from family and friends and probably even my girlfriend for a bit. Does the city feel lonely a bit or is it easy to find friends/are the people friendly and inviting?
@@TheGreatWasian_ I’d say it really comes down to your job, the type of person you are and places you attend. There are lot of opportunities for networking at Harvard, MIT and other universities, during conferences and network events. Overall I’d say Boston is a solid city for meeting people, but just make sure you take advantage of your network and don’t be afraid to engage with conversations with strangers
Question: Did you live in one of the homes made into the hills? How big are they. As you get older it seems as if those home higher up would be harder to get to. Is it true that most people live in apartments or Condos. Do they have what the US call the Suburbs? Thank you😊
Second time watching this and I don't do that usually, I could watch over and over and won't get fed up with it. It's just beautiful 😍. Brings so much of satisfaction just seen the views and food, streets. Italy is one place I'd like to visit some day. You're a great content creator.
Wow. This is so sweet Thank you 😘
This was very much needed. Just to remind myself to be grateful for all that we have and to know that just consuming and wanting more does not necessarily bring happiness at all. I long to get back to Italy. It’s been far too long. Thank you for this.
Oh my goodness! It’s so nice to see Sardinia being more recognised! That’s where my husband is from and all of his family are there still ! I miss it so much but your video was a welcomed delight! Thank you ❤
My next video will be all about Sardinia ❤️
Loved Italy and learned a lot. It has truly slowed me down. However, I love the USA. The beauty of being American is we do have a choice and I choose slow living and living with less.
Definitely. I love living in the US as well. ❤️
We moved into a very small town that has a market for veggies and plants and random things every weekend. We can walk anywhere in town and are safe to do it even after dark. I love that we had the ability to choose too.
My favorite feature about my country. 😁
So corrupt though. Beyond imaginable.
e' giusto amare il propio paese ; ma bisogna pure valutare come migliorare la propia vita ; ho amici americani come te e hanno capito, venendo nella vecchia Europa, che in Usa lo stress e la vita troppo materiale e' una vero virus che puo' rovinarti.
I love this video. The advice here is good anywhere you live. Less is more. Slow down. More options doesn’t mean better.
News Flash!!! Many people here in the US live the exact same way as you describe. You have to get out of the cities to do it but that slow paced lifestyle is literally everywhere and in almost every state. Having been to Italy but mostly to the larger cities I see them as No different than our big cities. Their busy! I grew up in a small town in western Virginia. Trust me the pace is much slower there and people have a different mindset when it comes to balancing life vs work. If that is what you desire you don't have to leave the US not that you said you wanted to. Thanks for the video.
You have any recommendations I’m so sick and tired of Miami
It is still not the same. Slow pace is not the only difference between the us and italy
Hello, I love your video. I find it relaxing. I am Italian and I live in Italy, but I'd say our daily life is not very different from yours. The rhythms are often frenetic. However, healthy food, cooking and having dinner all together at the table are part of our lifestyle. Wherever we live, it's up to us to live a different lifestyle, maybe a little slower!! Take care..
Come to Italy, you will see incomparable places
Wow…I’m in Italy on vacation with my family, traveling to as many places as we can be, and so far everything in this vid is on point from an outsider perspective, even the comment section. It changed the way my family and I view life. What a blessing from God, thanks for your vid and blessings to you and your family.
"2 hours closed on a perfectly good work day" took the words right out of my mouth. My feelings, at first, at the beginning of our 2 weeks in Italy. I didn't realize how relaxed I was until our final city before departure was Rome and I almost did not want to leave the room, it was like NY city but everyone spoke Italian.
It appears that the person is expressing their frustration about businesses being closed for 2 hours on what they consider to be a normal work day. However, as they spent two weeks in Italy, they began to appreciate the relaxed atmosphere of the country. They highlight their reluctance to leave their hotel room in Rome because it reminded them of New York City, but with everyone speaking Italian.
Thank you for sharing! I miss Sundays when everything was closed. It should be brought back and include the siestas!
Thank you ❤️
This way of living seems natural to the body and mind as well as an answer to the stresses of the USA♥️ Thank you so much!
Madison, I loved this video so much! You nailed it by defining the fact that we have so much coming at us, at all times, it keeps our minds, busy and nervous and confused! I’m an old lady that grew up in Chicago but raised by old world Italians that only spoke Italian. In the 50s and 60s I had to take siesta at 1:30 every day lol! I didn’t always want to being a child wanting to run around and play outside, but grandmother would have me lay down, and sometimes I would go to sleep. It was a healthy routine, and I was blessed to have experienced their culture. We did go to Italy once, loved it, and I really should have stayed there! Thank you again for this video
Thank you so much for the kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! It sounds like your upbringing with old world Italians and their siesta routine was a valuable experience. It's interesting how different cultures have their own unique practices and traditions that can benefit our overall well-being. I'm glad you were able to visit Italy and have a wonderful time there as well. Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts!
Hello! I'm italian and this video has made me smile a lot because I live in the northeast part of Italy (+/-near Venice) and here instead we all run like mads everyday like you in the US 😂...so the fairytale you describe is not exactly how we live in the whole country, but of course there are some points in common (like the working hours with the lunch break can be 8-12/14-18 in many offices or the fact that we like simple but high quality food, every region has its own typical food culture, which is more like a religion for us😂😂 etc...) but you describe us ina positive/beautiful way so thank you ❤
Italians Do It All Better 🏆
Just in cities and in the North.
I come from the same area (Mestre) and the things shown in this video look to me as something happening on Mars, not in Italy.
I love this... Sometime, with content like this forget bad things and i just think I'm lucky to be here
Thank you for sharing your beautiful glimpse into life in Italy with your kids and husband. It's truly fascinating to witness the slower pace of life and appreciate the different perspectives and values that exist around the world.
Italy's renowned culture of embracing la dolce vita, or the sweet life, is something that many of us can learn from. The ability to slow down, savor the simple joys, and prioritize quality time with loved ones is truly valuable in today's fast-paced world.
Your video captures the essence of this lifestyle, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the charming scenery, delicious cuisine, and the warmth of the Italian people. It's heartwarming to see your family bonding and creating precious memories in such a beautiful setting.
Thank you
You couldn’t be more spot on. I’m Canadian and we live just like American in our big cities! I have a cottage in the country side and every time I’m there (specially in the summer) I feel closer to an Italian life!
That's wonderful to hear! It's amazing how certain settings and experiences can evoke a different lifestyle and atmosphere. Having a cottage in the countryside must be a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The slower pace and serene surroundings can indeed remind one of the charm and tranquility often associated with Italian living. Enjoy your time at the cottage and the unique blend of Canadian and Italian influences it brings!
As italian, you made me cry. Thank you a lot for this video.
In many towns in Italy, life is everything but slow... especially in the north east. We have also malls, Mac Donald's, KFC, and other American stores. The difference is that in the weekend you can go in one hour in a very nice place to discard all the stress of the working days. In the US you can travel for hours and you can only find another city almost identical to the previous one.
Yet is the country with the most immigration.. I wonder why?
Exactly. It depends where you go in Italy. My family is from padova and venezia and they work a lot. Also if you're there on vacation you don't feel the stress of a regular life with the stress of working every day.
Come to the south of the Italian peninsula, you will eat the best food
That's a good one!
I think if a person wants a slower-paced, intentional life you can find it anywhere. I have always chosen family over anything else. We might not have had everything but our time with one another has been priceless. I garden, cook, can and create things I need. It is always interesting to me when I see people who leave the US to find this. Best of luck to you in all your adventures!
It is not possible in the Us, to much outside influence, it becomes then a daily struggle
Thank you for sharing your perspective! It's wonderful to hear that you have found a slower-paced and intentional life by prioritizing family and engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. It's true that such a lifestyle can be cultivated anywhere, as long as we are intentional about our choices and prioritize what truly matters to us. It's great to see that you have found contentment and meaning in your daily activities like gardening, cooking, canning, and creating. It's also interesting to note that some people do choose to leave their home country in search of a different lifestyle, but ultimately, everyone's path is unique and what works for one person may not work for another. Thank you for your well wishes, and may you continue to enjoy the richness of your intentional life with your family.
Beautiful video, Madisun … as an Italian, I think you caught the Italian spirit in its essence, congrats ❤
Oh Madi! Thank you for sharing. What beautiful reminders of actions we can take to live a more un-hustled life evidenced by places and people that actually have stayed consistent with their beliefs and truths about what is truly important. Love it. Welcome back home! ❤❤
Thank you Emily ❤️
Love this! We spent some time in Italy this summer, as well, and we actually cancelled one leg of the trip so we didn’t have to “go, go, go” the whole time. I love the slow culture. People ask what we did in Bellagio and I always say “nothing, and it was great 😊”. I will say, it was hard getting used to sitting at dinner for hours when we’re so used to eating fast. Your trip looks beautiful and I’m happy you got to experience that with your family.
that sounds DREAMY 😍
I am Italian, living in the north of Italy. Watching your video I must confess that I never experienced the paced, calm, idyllic style of life you describe. Maybe in the South, but many people have always migrated to the North just to find a job and better opportunities to earn enogh money to feed their family. The Italy you describe is just a beautiful dream for bored rich tourists.
Applausi!!!!!
I watched this video 3 times! When I go to Greece, I always ask myself why I love our time there so much. My answers are usually no tv, dining outside, the people, the food, etc. You made some really good points I hadn’t thought about like accepting limitations, which we do when we’re there & embracing a culture that isn’t based on consumption. I would love for you to expand on this video! It was truly a piece of art.
Thank you 🥹
One reason we have a house in Italy is for "la dolce far niente" Yes - first visits to Italy are often justifiably hectic. There is lots to see and it's impossible to not drink from a fire hose. But there is a whole other layer of Italy that is much more subtle but no less sublime. Italy became a single country in the late 1800's. As a result, Italy under the microscope is a mosaic of 1000's of little pieces. Each with its own food, customs and dialetto. Slowing down from a lightening pace reveals the wonders of that intimate Italy.
I helped my son buy a house just outside of Asti last year. I will begin to remodel it soon. The little village has just become a part of my life. I am getting to know people there. I am so happy to discover these things you speak of. To slow down and just be. Hang out in the kitchen with food from the garden or the one store in town. I can hear it in your voice as you speak, taking your time. What an odd concept for a US citizen.
Hi! I’m Nena! I live in California now, but I’m from Europe! This last video is really great! Everything that you said about Europe was opposite of what I felt to America when I came to live here! If you understand what I want to say. I used to that slow living and here everything is so fast and opposite , but I still love it 😊 I watch literally every video that you have on your UA-cam channel and you are inspiration for all moms! I started minimalist life because of your videos! Thank you! You are great and keep being like that! European mom of two Californians 😉
Thanks for watching ❤️
@@MadisunGray my pleasure 😇
Lovely video, very interesting perspective❤ another crucial element in Europe is the presence of town squares. As far as I can tell the concept is missing in American suburbs. In European towns, there usually is a big park and square right in the middle with benches, fountains, et cetera that provides a place to sit and chat for the kids to play. Guess Central Park please the same role for New York? Town planning is very important to the development and to the atmosphere of the community.
Thank you to have showned our coulture so magically! You are more than welcome back❤
"Siesta" in Italy is called "sonnellino" or "pisolino" or "ripos[in]o" .. But by now it's only for old people or maybe little children
Love this one! Getting more and more fascinated with their lifestyle. I think a more in-depth video on what they eat on a daily basis would be interesting! 🍋
I'm super interested in this as well. More Italy videos coming!
I wonder if there is a cookbook or UA-cam channel for the food of this region? It looks delicious. I grew up way out in the country where life is still slower. I love that our phones don’t work when I go home. No service. I wonder if the tech pushes us? I don’t have a microwave. Don’t actually want one.
@@wendyduncan9084 Yup, just Google "Liguria Italy cuisine cookbook" - there are several and tons of websites with recipes :) PS: I don't have a microwave either (or a TV). It makes me cook more, so I end up eating better.
I am an Italian American and the things you said at the beginning about how the pace of life slows down in italy reminded me of the Sunday dinners at my grandparents house. I grew up in KC Missouri so it was very midwest. On Sundays, everything slowed down. We would go down to grandma and grandpa's house around noon. We would spend the whole day there until 9 or 10 at night. I remember us all sleeping in the car on the way home. Such special memories.❤
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