Five things I've learnt since living in Italy (Part 10)

Five things I've learnt is back. And this time it's dedicated to the family.

1) It's considered 'brutta figura' to open your door in your pjs after 9am - even to your own family. Heavens! What would they say if they saw me working in my pjs sans make up during the day?

2) Italians can never ever make firm social arrangements. It could be a party or a day out at the beach but you won't know who will be there until the event is in full swing. As the popular detto (saying) goes: Chi c'è, c'è. Chi non c'è, non c'è. Who is there is there. Who isn't there, isn't there. Painfully obvious but oh-so-true.

3) Families often employ a 'badante' to look after their widowed or divorced dad. This is not because he is in ill health and unable to look after himself. It's simply because he doesn't know how. Even Mario's mum can't spend a day away from the house because his dad wouldn't know how to prepare his own lunch. Luckily for me, Mario doesn't take after him.

4) Italians seem to have been born with a gene for rustling up large gourmet meals at a moment's notice. I still have no idea how they can find all the ingredients in their cupboard. But they do.

5) Italian children share bedrooms right up into their twenties. One of my friends who is 31 still shares a bedroom with her 28-year-old sister. Their narrow twin beds are a mere 50cm apart and in the same position as they were all those years ago. So much for personal space.

Comments

[Rebecca]

I couldn't imagine sharing a room with my brother at this age. He's three years younger than me and a lot less organized. It would drive me crazy! Not to mention still living with my parents. I love them dearly but... :)

[Emma Bird]

I know. I completely agree. For me, it was bad enough sharing a room at university. But then, Italians love their friends and family and always have do everything in convoy, so I can understand it...kind of...

[Ann]

One of my neighbors has the "habit" of emptying her trash in her pj's at 11am. So much for the 9am rule of thumb!

An ex-student of mine, oldest of 3 children, shared a bedroom with his younger brother and sister. I just find it hard to envision, 3 young adults in their late teens and early twenties, all occupying the small typical Italian bedroom! Va beh.