Thursday,
January 17, 2008
Learn How to Live Life by Copying the
Italians
The
ANNOTICO Report
Danny
Bernardi who lives in Birmingham England, but
visits Italy frequently, spoke to a number of young Italians who were
educated and frustrated, seemingly unable to capitalize on their skills and
academic qualifications (in Italy). Some of these young people told me they
wanted to come to the
Yes,
it’s true. You will probably find a job and earn some decent money, I
told them. I felt it only fair to point out the downside. Rents and mortgages
are high and the food is not only bad but also expensive. More importantly, I
continued, everything is incredibly hectic and you will probably be so busy commuting
and working that you won’t have a life! There will also be less time for
your friends and you can forget lunch! The leisurely evening passeggiata with it’s slow stop for gelato or coffee
will be replaced by the Great British Pub Crawl which involves liver numbing
quantities of alcohol consumed within a staggeringly short time span. My anecdotal
observations of British life seemed to be enough to discourage most I spoke to.
Learn How to
Live Life by Copying the Italians
In
the
Having just returned from an extended writing trip to
In
The importance of taking a few moments out of the day to sit down for a break is
also important for Italians. A coffee stop is considered a virtual human right
and there appears to be a national commitment to
living life at an even pace. Meals can take hours to consume and lunch is a
non-negotiable part of the Italian working day. The typical British schedule,
however, leaves us guilt-ridden if were still for more than a few moments.
Sadly, frantic activity and full diaries have become the norm.
Visitors to
Ultimately, any way of life is all about choices.
Here in the
Obviously, I am generalising and there are exceptions
to the rule. I spoke to a number of young Italians who were educated and
frustrated, seemingly unable to capitalise on their
skills and academic qualifications. Some of these young people told me they
wanted to come to the
My anecdotal observations of British life seemed to be enough to discourage
most I spoke to. Sure, Italy has an underperforming economy, it's fair share of
corrupt politicians and the worlds most frustrating bureaucracy but it
still possesses a great quality of life and there are some things money just
cant buy. Whats the point working crazy hours, sacrificing your
family and social life if youre going to die before your time of a stress
related disease due to over work? It is no accident the Italians stay healthier
for longer than we do. Maybe this is because our Mediterranean cousins view
their existence as a joyful jog rather than some crazy lone sprint where
profits and short term efficiency gai ns are placed
above anything else.
Danny Bernardi is a writer and novelist based in
A free extract can be viewed at
www.dannybernardi.zoomshare.com
bernardi.d@googlemail.com
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