7 myths about living in Italy that it’s time to dispel

It seems that Italy is endless summer, the aroma of citrus fruits, the sound of the sea and the golden sun all year round. But the reality, as is often the case, is a little different. In the north of the country, winter can be very cold.

In Milan there are frequent fogs, humid humidity and temperatures often drop below zero. The southern regions, of course, manage without snow, but there is another problem there: cold in houses. There is almost no central heating anywhere, everyone lives with their own boiler, some turn on the heating, while others try to save money. So, on winter evenings, even in Naples or Palermo, people wrap themselves in woolen socks, drink tea under a blanket, and sometimes sleep with hats on.

The residents have been used to it for a long time. In autumn, special fleece pajamas appear in supermarkets, and in the markets you can meet grandmothers selling homemade bed warmers. And if you go to Italy in winter, bring warm clothes, they will certainly come in handy.

The image of an Italian who cooks pasta in the morning, eats pasta in the afternoon, and uncorks a bottle of red with pizza in the evening has long become a cultural cliché. But in reality, everything is much more diverse. Of course, pasta and pizza are still part of the national identity, as they are a symbol of domestic comfort, just as pies or pancakes are to us. But most Italians don’t eat it every day.

Those who care about their health and figure prefer vegetables, fish, salads, soups and legumes. In small towns, where family traditions are still strong, lunch often looks like this: the first course is pasta, the second is meat or fish with a side dish. Pizza is eaten during holidays or weekends when friends and family get together. It’s more of a social occasion than just food. The Italians are in no hurry, they are enjoying the moment.

Many visitors are convinced that Italian medicine is one of the best in Europe. This is partly true, but only if you live in the north of the country. There, hospitals are better equipped, doctors work in an organized manner and appointment systems for specialists are streamlined. But the closer you get to the south, the more problems there are.

Residents of the southern regions often complain that it is almost impossible to see a doctor. Even for a regular appointment, you must make an appointment several months in advance. Ambulances do not always arrive on time and public clinics are not adequately staffed. That is why many Russians who have lived in Italy for a long time prefer to return to Russia to undergo an examination or treatment. Quite simply because it’s faster and calmer there.

By the way, Italians have a philosophical attitude towards medicine. They can patiently wait their turn, not swear, and sometimes simply be treated “the old fashioned way” – with herbs, home remedies, following their grandmother’s advice.

In the popular imagination, Italy is a land of impeccably dressed people, where men always wear perfectly tailored suits and women always wear dresses and heels. Yes, Italians really do have an innate sense of style. They know how to combine colors and are naturally elegant. But that doesn’t mean they leave the house every day like they’re for a photoshoot.

In everyday life, most people dress simply and comfortably. This is especially noticeable in small towns, where there are more people on the streets wearing sneakers than patent leather shoes. Women often go without makeup, men wear tracksuits and caps. For them, comfort and confidence are more important than following fashion trends. And this is where true Italian style manifests itself: in the ability to be yourself.

Yes, Italians are really very gentle with children. On the streets you can often see men walking with strollers, feeding babies or playing with them in the yard. They do not hesitate to show tenderness and affection; this is considered natural.

But despite all the love for children, the birth rate in Italy is one of the lowest in Europe. The average is around 1.14 children per woman. It has to do with economics and lifestyle. Maintaining a family is expensive, because kindergartens are not cheap, social benefits are low, and grandmothers are not always ready to look after their grandchildren. Women often pursue careers and become mothers late, on average between 31 and 32 years old. Therefore, children are loved, but there are simply fewer of them.

If you’re used to fast deliveries, online banking, and electronic government services, Italy may seem a little “out of the past.” Here, many things are still done manually: for example, documents are signed by hand, invoices are paid at the bank and officials take weeks to respond to letters. Transferring from card to card is difficult and online orders can take forever to travel across the country.

This is the consequence of a huge bureaucracy, perhaps the slowest in Europe. Even the younger generation, which actively uses technology, is forced to realize that without a seal, signature and personal visit, business will not move forward. However, this has its own charm, because Italians are not in a hurry, prefer live communication and believe that a personal conversation is more important than any email.

The Italian language seems easy, melodious and pleasant, which is why many people think that learning it is as easy as shelling pears. But this is a misleading impression. Yes, the words often sound like Latin and the grammar generally makes sense, but there are a lot more nuances than meets the eye. There are many tenses, articles, exceptions and phrases that do not fit into the usual patterns.

Spoken speech is also different from written speech. Italians often shorten words, use jargon and dialects. Additionally, each region speaks differently, sometimes the differences are such that people from different regions barely understand each other. So it is possible to learn a language, but it is unlikely to be quick.

Living in Italy and coming there as a tourist are completely different stories. The tourist only sees the facade: the sun, the coffee, the smiles, the pasta. And those who remain face the other side: bureaucracy, slowness, unpredictable services, lack of logic in ordinary things. And yet, if we stop comparing ourselves to our standards and simply accept the Italian rhythm, everything becomes easier.