One of the statements that I have been saying for quite a while is that “Rome is not really Italian” and this has caused a lot of confusion with many of my friends.
What you have to realize is that if you ask any Italian where they are from they will not immediately say their country but rather their city is how they relate where they are from.
Why is this? Well I believe this has to do with some deeply ingrained cultural idocryncacy that can only be understood if you are from that country. Now typically italians are warm, welcoming and very friendly but this is really not the case for those living in Rome. I do not consider Rome to be really Italian but rather Roman.
There is a distinction here that many will not realize until you have spent more then two weeks in the city. Romans are a gruff bunch who are not unfriendly but not particularly warm either. They are a seperate breed from most Italians.
Yes the Romans speak Italian and they are at the seat of the Italian government but I do not see the same cultural practices of many of the other Italian cities such as Florence, Naples and even Sicily. Is this a bad thing? Well that is up to your interepetation.
After spending four weeks in this city I began to realize this distinction as many others in my class. Would I move to Rome? I doubt it. I did not find myself particularly drawn to the noise and other unseemly parts of the city.
grassosalvato86 | 09-Jul-09 at 10:46 am | Permalink
Ciao!
When foreign people ask me “where are you from?” I always answer: “I come from Italy”. Only after, if they want to know more, I say ” I come from Sicily”. I think I understand how you felt when you were in Rome, though, I believe Rome is among the citis who represent Italy, I just love Rome!
Arrivederci!
Salvatore
Suresh | 28-Jul-09 at 2:15 am | Permalink
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- Suresh
pregnancy | 18-Aug-09 at 7:25 am | Permalink
Interesting question – I think Rome is more Italian than London is English. Whilst London is largely metropolitan and has lost much of its Britishness (though not all), Rome is still charmingly Italian at its heart. Love it.
Ted Neustaedter | 10-Sep-09 at 5:33 pm | Permalink
I read John Grisham’s “The Broker” recently, and ever since I’ve had the desire to go to Bologna, Italy. I’m sure as far as a cultural city goes, it’d be far more to your liking.
I encourage you to get a copy of the book from the library and read it, as it has a lot about the history of the city in it.
deadale | 06-Nov-09 at 7:11 am | Permalink
rome is the most romantic place you can go to..
love it
Redfish Slayer | 18-Apr-10 at 8:47 pm | Permalink
Hey, thanks for running this blog, its really a good read for me at work
!
Francesca InPompeii | 19-May-10 at 2:18 pm | Permalink
I think you are correct in your assertion that Rome is *not* Italy…in fact Italy is such a new concept….a European survey found that one average Italians felt 1st linked to their location [i.e. Sicily, Umbrian, Venetian..] second European and only third Italian..wheras the French and Germans felt very much Nationals before being European.
Certainly can be rude and not very courtious….unless of course you are a custom in their shop, and even then…