Culture Shock

This being my first time living, or even visiting Italy, I was unaware and unprepared for the culture shock that was to occur over the next four months. The first week I spent mimicking the person standing next to me at the subway, or the woman walking in front of me. I wanted to fit in as much as possible as to not stick out as the ‘American girl.’ It took a while for me to understand the many differences between mine and the Italian culture, but there is a phrase they use in Italy that I believe sums up the dissimilarity well. They say, “La bella figura,” a daily expression to have a good figure, a good outlook. 
Behind the bright eyes, the enticing smiles, and the fabulous fashion sense of the Milanese, is a mindset that Italians have and unfortunately Americans completely lack. At least, I know I do.
The mindset is similar to a diet. They consider all things in their lifestyle in terms of quantities, qualities, composition, and their effects on health.
If the passion for beauty simply stopped at the outside appearance, clothes, and cars, you would think it superficial and maybe not as big of a deal. But it is much more than that. It spills over into morality. This is the only place where you will find an expression that wields you to live well.
I have learned to lose the phrase ‘bigger is better’ from my vocabulary. Although I can still grab a Big Mac at the McDonalds down the street, nothing is oversized or overdone. You will not be hearing anyone here saying “May I biggie size that?” I remember the first time I ordered coffee in a bar. I simple ordered un caffe, unaware of what I would be given. An extremely small white cup was placed in front of me. I looked down at the cup, around at the other drinks at the bar, and back down at the cup. This is definitely not my usual Starbucks grande caffe mocha.  If you want a coffee bigger than a shot, good luck. This as well as having to give up the clunker mobiles, big fancy houses, and room to spread out your elbows would be the most difficult thing for me to do in the United States, but here it is part of the lifestyle.

Liza Giambra