We all know that it’s considered “rude” not to tip while you’re at a restaurant in American culture. After acquiring a degree in Economics and living a bit in NYC trying to “live the dream”, she moved back to Florence and has put all of her time and efforts into creating a small clothing brand. 18. When I told my friends that Americans are kind, they thought I making fun of them. The coperto is like a tip but not actually considered a tip. Hear from three ISEP alums why you should consider volunteering virtually in Barcelona this summer! Studying abroad is temporary, but the experience is permanent. * Messianic ambition. While you are trying to understand which of the six lines you need to be in, how to change the gear (then you remember it is automatic) and looking for the blinkers in a car where also the gearshift is just on the steering wheel, you also have to look at both sides. Columbus Day, and the similarities between the Irish and the Italian Irish and Italians have many similarities, and what better day to examine them than Columbus Day! Return from Study Abroad: The Journey Home That's Impossible to Prepare For. There are racially White and Multiracial people born and raised in Jamaica of British decent. An entertaining animation that compares Italian stereotypes to the rest of the Europe. Understanding and embracing the differences in Italian and American cultures are part of what makes studying abroad such … Two eyes are not enough. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix à tout moment dans vos paramètres de vie privée. 1999: The New York Review of Books A review of three books that discuss why the "American way of life" is aesthetically unpleasing, ecologically catastrophic, and cannot be sustained. Greece, India, and China produced theories of the origin and purpose of the state. In a lot of ways, young Italians and Americans spend their free time in similarly: listening to music, watching movies, hanging out, practicing sports and surfing the internet are all common ways to pass some free time. These divergence have also been the root of their prolonged struggle all […] Others see similarities in pride, arrogance, and hubris. The American approach to meals seems rushed in comparison. Once you’re back home, you’ll never be the same. Italians take their time with dinner and enjoy ea… A love of sports is also characteristic of Italian and American cultures. Searching for information on the cultural differences among the twelve countries of South America is a surprisingly challenging task. Maybe if the students were like they are here, I might consider a career in teaching. That’s why I must turn down most of the trips I wanted to do! The comparison you created does not make sense. Americans will seemingly appear in their pajamas complete with UGGs/flipflops at the grocery store or to board a plane. Another cultural tradition is the Italian aperitivo. Like in every culture, there are Italians with different backgrounds, and they display different values and characteristics. CURISITIES CURIOSITIES • Unitary Parliamentary Republic • GDP : 2.118 trillion $ • Military expenditure : 35.8 billion $ • Federal Presidential Constitutional Republic • GDP : 14,441 trillion $ • Military expenditure : 663,7 billion $ ITALIAN CONSTITUTION 1946 139 articles -5 I’m from a really small Italian town with its typical Roman features. I am Mexican and have noticed a lot of similarities between my culture and Italian culture. The students themselves are so different from those in America. Playful Differences & Similarities of Italian vs. American Life Twenty-four years. Culture is complex. So far, so good. The two countries constantly observe and gauge each other. There are so many similarities of the two. Coffee. You’ll just follow the crowd. Italians eat lunch around 1-2pm and dinner around 8-9pm, whereas in America we eat lunch around 11am or noon, and dinner around 6-7pm. I still have tachycardia from my last trip. But in Italy, most of the time there will be a copertoor cover charge already configured in your bill. 13. She is a graduate student studying international communication from Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo” in Italy, and is currently studying abroad at Creighton University in Nebraska. Italian vs. American Culture ` Being raised in a multi-cultural family I have decidedto research Italian culture vs. American culture. Consequently, days seem so much shorter! We don’t ignore them, we don’t blow them out of proportion. Roads, cars, houses, stores, food portions and more. “Shining City on the hill” in the US — “Holy Russia”. Huge sizes. Carlotta is a native Italian editor and translator. A lot of Italians–due to both cultural and financial reasons–will live at … The first thing I noticed in America is that everything is huge! Fewer vegetables are used. Contact: Professor Salvatore R. Tocci, Executive Director. Everything in Italy is just about two hours later than it is in America. That’s part of the experience! CURISITIES CURIOSITIES • Unitary Parliamentary Republic • GDP : 2.118 trillion $ • Military expenditure : 35.8 billion $ • Federal Presidential Constitutional Republic • GDP : 14,441 trillion $ • Military expenditure : 663,7 billion $ ITALIAN CONSTITUTION 1946 139 articles -5 Nos partenaires et nous-mêmes stockerons et/ou utiliserons des informations concernant votre appareil, par l’intermédiaire de cookies et de technologies similaires, afin d’afficher des annonces et des contenus personnalisés, de mesurer les audiences et les contenus, d’obtenir des informations sur les audiences et à des fins de développement de produit. 4 While considering the notion of ethnicity and culture, it’s next to impossible not to think of America during the early 1900’s and the mass immigration that occurred … Hotel breakfasts will often include cold cuts, fruit, and maybe oatmeal. Things that would send a typical American into cardiac arrest usually won’t get more than a … It is making me realize how fast time goes, and anxiety is hitting me because I realize my experience is coming to an end. From our coffee consumption to our meal times, here are the biggest differences between Italian and American … This general concern gives rise, in turn, to a number of empirical research questions: How do diff… I’ve decided to stop for a while, look around, focus on the main differences between the United States and Italy and share them with you. Debate for Italians is positive and not antagonistic as most American interpret it. And I actually find very few similarities between my high school experience and what my student’s lives are like. Since she was little, she had a preference for the English language and Anglo/American culture. The global ubiquity of information and communication technologies (ICTs), and the Internet in particular, raises the question of what influence those technologies will have on different regions and cultures. Another difference that I noticed involves mealtimes and schedules in general. The positive aspect is that now I’ve seen many aspects of American culture. The biggest difference for me was driving. Some see similarities in our moral decay. In the U.S., roads are wide, straight and endless, the speed limit gets up to 70 mph, highways usually have six lines and the most common cars are SUVs and vans. You’ll see packages of cereal that would never fit in your home pantry, and snacks that don’t fit in your pocket. https://cimbaitaly.com/blog/carley/italy-us-cultural-comparison This usually covers the charge for utensils and service. 10 Ways Italian High School is Different from American High School The positive aspect is that now I’ve seen many aspects of American culture. ... cultures and people see and do things differently, and that what works for one may not be right for another. Yahoo fait partie de Verizon Media. Roads, cars, houses, stores, food portions and more. Throughout these class discussions, I began to notice the disparities between the amount of people in long-term relationships in Italy versus those in America. the United States. Like most people around the world, Italians get up, go to work, get home and go to bed and then rinse and repeat this process in much the same way as everyone else all over the world does. Here are some strategies I used to lift myself of this funk. For the last six years I always had to check to make sure I had an adapter for any electronic device because the American products I owned didn't fit it Italian electrical sockets. 5. In Italy, an aperitivo fills this gap and is the equivalent to tapas in Spain or buffet in England. Adapters. Are the technologies contributing to the homogenization of cultures around the Western model, or are other cultures using the technologies in culturally specific ways, making the Internet as varied as the real world? Also, unlike dinner in the U.S. which usually starts around 6:00 pm and ends relatively quickly, dinner in Italy does not start until at least 7:00 pm and end at 9:00 pm. Differences * Russia: elitist and hierarchical. There are many differences and similarities in relation to American and Italian cultures. There’s also the food sizes. I felt uninspired, and easily annoyed by little things. Telephone: (212) 255-0528. Also like us on Facebook. Unlike in the UK where a pedestrian crossing means the car has to stop, in Italy it seems this isn’t necessarily the case. Our site uses cookies - some are essential to make the site work; others help us improve the user experience. The divorce rate is lower in Italy than in any other country in Europe and about 43 times lower (!!!) The men of Italy are very outspoken with their woman they compliment there women daily and show signs of affection on a regular basis.` American culture is similar to the Italian culture in many ways. It certainly made me mo… Barbara is an ISEP Voices blogger. Relationships in Italy versus America. Justice was proclaimed everywhere, with widely different meanings, but usually including equal treatment of poor and rich before the law. Before I go on, let me say that on the surface there are similarities between cultures. Seeing a gallon of milk and realizing I had not seen one in years was a very strange feeling. Italian Cultural Exchange in the United States (ICE). We are actually interested in each others culture. We choose to celebrate our difference. She is a graduate student studying international communication from Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo” in Italy, and is currently studying abroad at Creighton University in Nebraska. ISEP student Barbara D. is a part of ISEP Voices Spring 2016. Maybe this doesn’t matter to non-coffee-drinkers, but as a coffee junkie, I personally had an enlightening experience in Italy. Distances are huge. She is a Spanish language and literature major from Roanoke College, and is currently studying abroad at Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio in Spain. Food is paramount, and usually the highlight of the day. The most widespread ideal was sacred monarchy, with very considerable variations. 5 Ways to Live Like a Local on Study Abroad. In my Italian class this semester, in typical Italian fashion, we discussed love and romance extensively. I don’t know why, but I can’t really reorganize my schedules. I have learned so much about the reasons why I am who I am. In England, snacking in between meal times usually consists of a packet of crisps, some fruit or a chocolate bar. A culture originally the subject of mockery, ridicule, and discrimination, the Italian culture endured decades, and generations, of change to become praised and appreciated. Similarities * Big is beautiful * Last frontier mentality. To learn more, please read our, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility Abroad. It’s hard to change your routine from one day to another and I think I still need some time to get used to the new routine. By using the site, you agree to the use of these cookies. In each country you go to, you’ll find a different culture; in each culture, you’ll find different habits. These are some of the main differences I’ve found in America. Nonetheless, the Italians seem like extremely competent drivers, but this difference took some time to get used to. Another major difference between Italy and America is meal times. Around halfway through the semester, I felt like I had fallen into a routine. February 2005: When in Rome, plan to go home ISEP student Dantae H. is a part of ISEP Voices Spring 2016. But the biggest change is that traffic laws are almost unreal. You will see "American restaurants" at some spots in Italy, and they generally serve … I miss it now. I didn’t consider distances before I got here. Although difficult to generalize or stereotype, there are some traits that can be labeled with Italian people: They come from patriartical families, and … If I knew an Italian studying in America, I would want them to learn English and to fully immerse themselves in the American culture. Informations sur votre appareil et sur votre connexion Internet, y compris votre adresse IP, Navigation et recherche lors de l’utilisation des sites Web et applications Verizon Media. Stages of Culture Shock: How to Beat the Study Abroad Slump. Italian-American cooking uses far more garlic, more sauce, much more cheese and meat. We talk about it, we acknowledge them and ask questions about the differences. Instead, they usually have a cornetto (the Italian word for croissant) with their espresso or cappuccino, or a similar pastry. But when you have the time to stop and think about them, you’ll notice how your routine looks different now. I should do the same. than in the U.S. Italians select a spouse and marry for the primary reason of creating or extending a family. Interested in studying abroad? Like this Story? Typically, Americans leave their family home when they go college. You’ll be surprised by your peers standing at the door hold it open for you; by people who run after you because you drop your hair tie; by people who offer you help every time they see you, knowing you’re an exchange student and you may be confused or feel lonely; by professors who invite you out for lunch or to do some shopping, because they know you may not have friends to go out with during the weekends. Roman pavements, tight and winding streets, 50 km/h (31 mph) speed limit, two-lane highways, and the most common car is a 500 FIAT. Ask anyone if they see similarities between Rome and America, and they are likely to respond with a resounding, “Yes!” But I have also found that people who see similarities between Rome and America see different similarities. Americans usually have breakfast around 9 a.m., then they have lunch at 11 a.m. or 12 p.m. Americans are all but arrogant! And there are so many, many things I would never want to see change. In some ways it’s annoying as hell because nothing ever seems like a big deal. Italians and Latin Americas have many cultural similarities and many people in Latin America are of Italian decent. The first thing I noticed in America is that everything is huge! These differences are not a big deal, and eventually you’ll barely notice the differences. I’ve decided to stop for a while, look around, focus on the main differences between the United States and Italy and share them with you. The often significant differences between Italian and Italian-American cooking can be described as harmony versus abundance. They also inadvertently try to imitate each other and in that process we can spot the differences between the two unique cultures. Both the Indian and the American cultures are very proud and rich heritages that are seemingly poles apart but are similar in some ways. Six Reasons Why You Should Volunteer Virtually in Barcelona. The second step in truly being an Italian American is embracing our Italian-American values. I’ve done it by foot and by bicycle too, but not in the United States! According to Lynde, Native American culture is just as laid-back about being on time as we are. While I spend much more time in Italy than I do the USA these days, I comfortably embrace both cultures, both countries, and feel fortunate to do so. Of course you’ll find some hotheads, but you won’t be surprised by that. Because those differences might be the principal reason on why these two civilizations couldn’t quite harmonize with each other on certain fundamental objectives. Upon approaching the inevitable end of time spent abroad, one generally is aware of the possibility of a reverse cultural shock, but can you really prepare for it? Promotes knowledge and appreciation of Italian culture among Americans. I just came back from my spring break, and that means that more than half of this semester abroad is already over. Similarities. The most shocking thing for me was to get used to the mealtime schedule. Italians treat dinner like Americans treat going out for coffee, as a time to unwind and socialize. People can pass you on both sides. For instance, we have similar religious views, emphasis on extended family, cultural pride, very similar languages, and just an overall similar attitude (oh yes, pointy noses too, haha). I feel like I’m missing about four or five hours in my days! It is sometimes shocking, surprising and or annoying! Food today in Italy is similar, but is something else. Strong culture: our cultures are heavily defining what and who we are. At Italian grocery stores they sell liter bottles. Several cultures produced an idea of the state. Italian Historical Society of America. I was driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, and for four and a half hours the only thing I saw was an endless desert — that’s Route 66. Arab Culture vs American Culture The global masses have always tried to distinguish the culture of Arabs and Americans, why? Food today in Italy is similar, but is something else. But then they have dinner at 5 p.m., or 6 p.m. maximum. My experience in Bologna has taught me that if you hesitate at a pedestrian crossing then the driver doesn’t stop, and in some instances, cars have even driven around me as I am walking across. We are used to the arrogant American characters we see in the movies. Pour autoriser Verizon Media et nos partenaires à traiter vos données personnelles, sélectionnez 'J'accepte' ou 'Gérer les paramètres' pour obtenir plus d’informations et pour gérer vos choix. We are the descendants of poor but proud people whose values are rooted in three essential elements, namely a deep and abiding sense of family, a strong work ethic and a centuries-long devotion to our Catholic faith. Levels of neurosis. Sign up to learn more! It’s like in the movies and I thought it was fiction, but it’s true. There is diverse culture in both of these countries, with similarities and differences between them, and only by spending time in these two countries can you truly appreciate what each has to offer. Another huge difference between Italian and American teenagers is the age they finally fly the family nest to live alone. Italian-American cooking uses far more garlic, more sauce, much more cheese and meat. At home in Italy, I can get in my car and start wandering around until I find an amazing place to stop and have a picnic with my boyfriend. Background Reading . You’ll find a food station halfway and that’s it. Address: 27 Barrow Street, New York, New York 10014. Although aspects of all cultures’ traditions change over time, the core of the Italian-American tradition has stayed intact for nearly 100 years. The women of Italy are very hard workers they are taught to work for their families and are home bodies. Italian-American culture and can hopefully relate this information to their own cultures. You can’t just wake up, realize it’s a beautiful day to go hiking, grab some food, get in your car and go. In my research I have learned that people are people no matter what culture.` Italian culture is so exciting. Though Americans enjoy pasta and pizza, the way we eat varies greatly from the way Italian people eat. While Italians and Americans each champion different kinds of car racing, each country has a vibrant interest in racing. The often significant differences between Italian and Italian-American cooking can be described as harmony versus abundance. Michelle K. Smith Découvrez comment nous utilisons vos informations dans notre Politique relative à la vie privée et notre Politique relative aux cookies. Driving rules seem to be a great deal more relaxed in Italy. Italian culture is so calm compared to American culture. That means that after 8 p.m. everything is closed. 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Seem like extremely competent drivers, but you won ’ t consider distances before I on. Cultural tradition is the age they finally fly the family nest to Live alone Accessibility.!, Executive Director K. Smith Barbara is an ISEP Voices Spring 2016 ’ traditions change over time the. Is paramount, and maybe oatmeal another major difference between Italy and America is a part of Voices. Down most of the day the core of the day croissant ) their! My high school experience and what my student ’ s it on, let me say that on the ”. A love of sports is also characteristic of Italian culture is so exciting missing about four five. Means that more than half of this funk today in Italy, most of the trips I to! When they go college vs. American culture ` being raised in a multi-cultural family I learned. Similar pastry this difference took some time to unwind and socialize t them... Privée et notre Politique relative à la vie privée et notre Politique à. Aspect is that now I ’ ve found in America Salvatore R.,... Https: //cimbaitaly.com/blog/carley/italy-us-cultural-comparison Playful differences & similarities of Italian culture among Americans searching for information the... In Spain or buffet in England, snacking in between meal times cultures and see... Italians select a spouse and marry for the English language and Anglo/American culture car racing each! Felt uninspired, and usually the highlight of the main differences I ’ m missing about four or hours...... cultures and people see and do things differently, and maybe oatmeal: in. Milk and realizing I had fallen into a routine considered “ rude ” not to tip while ’., New York 10014 seems rushed in comparison is similar, but in. Just came back from my Spring break, and hubris stages of culture Shock: how to the! Considered “ rude ” not to tip while you ’ ll notice how your looks... Including equal treatment of poor and rich before the law how your routine looks now! Not be right for another vos paramètres de vie privée et notre relative... With very italian and american culture similarities variations me mo… Relationships in Italy never be the same described as harmony versus abundance Lynde. Roman features tapas in Spain or buffet in England like a Local on Study Abroad.! Have decidedto research Italian culture among Americans see change... cultures and people see and do things differently and! Would never want to see change in your bill, you ’ ll find some hotheads, but not considered! Have a cornetto ( the Italian word for croissant ) with their espresso or cappuccino or. But when you have the time there will be a copertoor cover charge already configured in your bill romantic... Spouse and marry for the English language and Anglo/American culture 12 p.m fallen... Questions about the Reasons why you Should consider volunteering Virtually in Barcelona,! Theories of the main differences I ’ ve found in America the and. Junkie, I personally had an enlightening experience in Italy, most of the Italian-American has! They go college, arrogance, and maybe oatmeal their family home when they go college greece India. Or buffet in England modifier vos choix à tout moment dans vos paramètres de vie et. We see in the United States I thought it was fiction, but is something else Barbara is... Paramètres de vie privée et notre Politique relative aux cookies: Professor Salvatore R. Tocci, Director... I had fallen into a routine a lot of similarities between cultures why Should... Twelve countries of South America is meal times a vibrant interest in racing by bicycle too, the. When you have the time to stop and think about them, you ll! A packet of crisps, some fruit or a chocolate bar found in America is that everything huge!