@MsBritaly Totally agree that you must learn Italiano. It's hard when the speak to you when you only know words. But, don't give up. Some Italians fear you as much as you them communicating. 🤗
The main reason native English speakers (Brits, Australians, North Americans, etc) do not bother to learn other languages is the ridiculous idea that most people, everywhere in the world, speak a little bit of English. I had several arguments about this with my (English) wife who tried to justify such a foolish idea on the grounds of the worldwide predominance of the English language in business. I really hate the attitude of people who cannot be bothered to learn a little bit of the language of the country they are visiting. When I visited France I was able to put together a few sentences and the people who noticed my efforts to speak their language were very nice and helpful to me making my holiday a beautiful experience. Learning the language of the country you plan to visit is a basic act of courtesy that will be very rewarding.
It is indeed an important thing to do. Although my initial assumption was wrong, I have never expected people to speak in English with me. If they do it’s a bonus but it’s not something that I demand. I understand where I live and as a result I know that it is Italian I need to speak.
O lady! As an immigrant to the US…it takes time to adjust no matter where one goes! It’s their country and one should be prepared to adapts. One can always return home!
Iam Swedish I moved to Sicilia 3 years ago. The first thing I did was to find a Italian course, then I joined a walking group with only Italians I avoided meeting up with non Italian speaking people. You need an open mind to leave your comfort zone, don’t think so much about the difference in cultur etc . Enjoy Sicilia , nothing is perfect and that’s ok !
Hi Claire. To move to another area of the World you need the right mind set before you leave the place you were before. It does help if you have worked or lived in another country. It really helps you 1 million! The first experience is always the toughest. I had my first and it was tough but l was only there for 2 months. But believe me that helped me a lot. The next place I landed in long term was really red tape riddled and it was not Italy. I got used to it but I nearly went mad managing it. Once that was done, I was ready for anything! My motto was to never get stressed about anything. Take things in your stride and carry on. That was my personal constitution that I Swore allegiance to. I now find it easier in Italy than back home to deal with red tape. I managed to suss out everything pretty well. I do most things online but if I want to talk to a human I fix a “ Real meeting “ online, and go there to discuss things that you cannot discuss virtually, and discuss it face to face with a fellow human being. To think that you can handle the hurdles before going to a new place is a mistake most of us make. I have seen how things work in certain places in the World but never have I let it stress me out. Except the first time round………. 2. Languages in school: GB is just about the worst place for languages. Every nation must put linguistic skills as a priority in a World of many languages. Never assume the other country speaks your language. The biggest mistake us Brits make! Not me because I am a linguist….. but that was my own choice. You also need to speak the language of the place where you live to feel at home. Of course with time you learn Italian just by living here. 3. Reminds me of Grimsby. So many places in the World are like this. Reality exists in every place. 4. Human relations grow everywhere. There are good and bad everywhere. Like in any place. As long as people Know this then they will not be shocked. 5. I often criticise Italy and a lot of Italians agree with me. If you start a conversation talking negatively most will be on your side. Boyfriend quote: yes he is right. To a certain extent. I think this is a positive thing. 5. Palermo seems a bit out of bounds from what you say. I mean with the poverty. I don’t see this here but it exists here too as it does in Paris or London or in the outskirts of Lincoln. Or Napoli and Milan. Frankfurt. Budapest etc. 6. My point: you said Italians will start defending the country when they hear you talk the negative sides of Italy. I did that as well to some extent and I am British. 7. Pensions- better than our GB…… pensions. 8. Mafia: no you never see anything to do with it. I have had businesses in north and south and I have never had any problems with any kind of Mafia. The real Mafia is more efficient that Governments and have branches all over the World. And it is not just Italian. The London Mafia is massive! And linked. London = English. As all over the World. I don’t think that Mafia is protection money. It is far beyond that. It may have been like that decades ago but not now. 9. Not one country but nor is Germany, Switzerland, Spain etc…… and nor is GB…… my best friend from School just came to see me from America and he was in Scotland and could not understand the people when they spoke. He said it was so embarrassing to just agree with everything. He made me laugh…..! Happy new year Claire to you and your BF………and Tina…..
Thank you for sharing your insights - I agree with a lot of what you wrote. The comment about the Scottish accent made me laugh because it's one accent that I too have difficulty understanding! Happy New Year to you too!
I think you are not talking about Italy, but about southern Italy. In central and northern Italy the level of knowledge of the English language is quite good, there are not so many dirty and degraded neighbourhoods, and poverty exists but is not so widespread... I live in Milan and I assure you that even the bureaucracy, the public transport, hospitals and social services are faster and more efficient. Italians always criticize their country, but this doesn't mean they don't love it, moreover they have a strange rule that if you are Italian you can criticize Italy, but they don't accept a foreigner criticizing their country.
@MsBritaly Of course, the north is not perfect! I don't think there is a perfect place. But there is no particular crime problem. Milan is the Italian city with the highest crime rate, but it is not as high as Manchester or Paris, and it is certainly safer even than Brussels or Dublin... without thinking about how dangerous Birmingham or Marseille are. Even in Barcelona there are thefts and robberies every day, but I wouldn't associate this beautiful city with crime!
Italy is known worldwide for its fine quality goods and products for a good reason. You are right in that many places export the best of their products to benefit the most from it, sometimes even neglecting themselves. In Colombia, the best coffee is often advertised as "export", letting people know of its quality. There's a saying "In a shoemaker's house the children go barefoot" or "In a blacksmith's house, the knives are made of wood".
I so much agree with the patriotism of Italians. sometimes it can be annoying. It's one of the reasons why I like Britain so much, Brits tend to be quite genuine. Some things work, some things don't and that's okay. I say that as a immigrant in Britain
I lived 20 years in the US, when I got back to Italy I thought I'd enjoy the house I inherited. Neighbours started with molesting actions on my property..As I related it casually to someone they remarked that "non sapevo farmi voler bene" and should do things like bringing them presents..dear British friend, there is a strange way of thinking in Italy...
I came to live in friuli venezia giulia 50years ago. Not knowing the language and to teach english. It was very hard for afew years . What i found frustrating was the red tape involved in practically everything. I love this country particularly the place i live on the slovenian border
I do remember that the four years I lived in Sicily (serving in Sigonella) were very happy. Not just because I was a young man, but the ability to walk in history, to mix with other cultures in a language I had to learn. The pace and rhythm of life there. I was told when I arrived in Sicily that I would suffer culture shock. Wrong. I suffered culture shock when I came home to the States.
You are completely right about the need to know the local language in Italy. However, both my own experience as well as people I have hired or I know is that even in the countries where pretty much everybody speak fluently English (Nordic countries etc), you do need to learn the local language, if you don't want to feel isolated. It is probably much easier to deal with authorities (although not only because of language) in English (at least they can help) but at workplaces or socially it is a different story. A friend of moved to Helsinki (Finland) a few years ago and he was surprised that it is not easy to feel connected with people without Finnish language (and that is a tough one) as people might talk to you in English while in Finnish between themselves.
I enjoyed this video. I live in New York with my family, have a pension, and have a business, and we are planning on moving to Florence maybe in 5 years. New York has changed for the worse, and there's just no city like Florence. I'll only move if I get my citizenship soon. Otherwise, hell no. I'm not screwing around with Visas. I keep hearing horror stories. I don't think it's perfect anywhere. If you can try to extract just the positives from each country, I think it can work. I won't need to work in Italy and money isn't really a problem, so I'll try to make it work. If not, I'll just come back to the U.S. But your points are all very good. I like getting info from someone like you because you are living in reality and are in Italy. About the only thing I worry about is going to a doctor, or taking my kids to a doctor, and nobody speaks English. Hopefully in Florence this isn't too much of a problem. I wish I spoke Italian, as my Grandmother did, as her whole family was from Puglia. I remember my great grandmother not being able to speak one word of English, lolol.
I think doctors in Florence will usually speak a decent english, you'll be ok. We're not talking about some small uncultured city and doctors usually have a good academic background.
There is a proverb that says "the true friend is the one who stays close to you when after knowing you well, he bears your faults and stays close to you" Now that you know Italy so well and decide to stay and not return to your country I think you deserve the Italian citizenship. Well done Claire AD MAIORA
Thanks Claire for sharing your experiences. Italy has changed so much over the years certainly with the pressure of immigration and lack of job opportunities for young people. The EU and the UK should come to an amicable agreement to share immigration numbers and provide safe routes to curtail traffic smugglers . I have only been on holiday there but the people were friendly. I would be interested to know the influence of the Giorgia Meloni government on Italians and life in general? Thanks.
So true what you’re saying. I’ve been to Italy 🇮🇹 four times. I’m at level B2 and in an Italian community amongst friends, going to parties and gatherings. This is in London. I’m struggling to fit in with the culture and way of thinking. While in Naples I struggled with understanding the accent.
Italy is very different from Region to Region. You cannot generalize and talk of Italy. The mentality in the north is quite different from the south. I have lived in UK and I had to adjust to several things. Just one question: why did you expect not to need to learn Italian living in Italy?
Exactly- as I’ve said many a time, you cannot generalize Italy at all. It’s not that I didn’t expect not to learn Italian, it’s more that I really thought more people here would speak English and that I could initially get by this way.
Yes you can generalize Italy with the points shes made in this video regardless of the region. Go to rural Veneto and see who will talk to you in English or how romantic it is there lol.
I have lived in several cities in the north, south and central Italy and I can confirm living in Italy is much more difficult than living in the UK (lived both in small villages and in a big city in the UK too) even for italian people, especially if you don’t have support network.
Great video thanks, came a year after you from London, still having grief with the language, lack of confidence & laziness truth be told. Like a constant cloud hanging over my experience. Hope to crack it or turn a big corner in 2025. Have subbed to your podcast. Buon anno 👊
Yes that level of commitment will really help - the important thing is that it works for you as everyone is so different when it comes to retaining information and our attention spans,
Budapest is a city where a lot of folks speak English. There are low expectations of foreigners learning Magyar because it's very difficult. But the Hungarians, especially those over 40, do appreciate it when you master key words or phrases in their language, or take the time to type short sentences and questions in your smartphone before approaching them. Living in the countryside is another matter entirely. Much less English spoken there.
It’s so interesting isn’t it to see how languages are adopted in each country. Yes, here in the more remote parts of Italy it will be nigh on impossible to find any English speakers.
It sounds just like the UK now Claire, and at least I can speak the language. I will do a month at a time in an apartment and learn the language I think. Thank you for the video. Happy New Year. 🙂 Michael.
Duh. The audacity of moving to a country and thinking you don’t have to learn the local language is astounding. You seem nice, but yes you were very arrogant and I’m glad you can see that now.
Thx for the honesty. Every video I've watched paints Italy as a "picture perfect" country. I found that very hard to believe. Reality is a hard pill to swallow for many.
The Italians have every right to complain about their country, we however do not. I applaud their patriotism, something we’ve lost here in the UK, much to out detriment!
Language has to be one of the most difficult, potentially distressing things in life.....not having a personality in a group is awful....I, like many others, have no doubt experienced this situation....my mother would often talk about this when she first moved to Italy (in the 1950s!)...fortunately, she had a musical ear and natural ability so learned it perfectly after a couple of years, but it's never easy.
Microphone: your dji mic is wireless. It has clip on technology. It is meant to be attached to clothes at chest level. Like on your overall straps. They do pick up your voice from 30cm distance. You holding the mic in front of your face is - disturbing? And that is put it nicely. Your message is great. Why do you let technology unnecessarily get into your way? I am most curious about your rationale.
@ well I am Belgian and we learn 4 languages in high school. British living in Europe hardly ever learn the native language, which comes across to many of us being rather disrespectful. Italian education might teach English poorly but Brits and Americans moving around the world expecting everyone to talk English shows ignorance and disrespect.
4 languages? That's incredible. In the majority of state schools in the UK, you learn 1 additional language - 2 max. I agree that to learn another language changes your perspective of life and your experiences. I should note that even though I was quite naive in terms of how I thought English would be spoken here, I have never thrown my weight around and demanded that people speak to me in English. I've always respected that I live here and Italian is the language that I need to learn.
Stay away from anything close to tourist destinations or recommended to you by tourists lol brightly colored gelato is dyed and not the good stuff with authentic recipes. Stop asking for advice and explore without a plan is the best advice.
The same can be said about New Zealand, at least as far as lamb goes. New Zealanders often get the "dregs" while Iran and other countries get the premium lamb.
You can expect tourist oriented businesses to speak English but elsewhere is totally bonkers! I’ve rented homes through out the world in usually non touristic areas and that is generally the norm. Locals don’t generally speak English or at least limited.
Out of respect for the society I’m joining, before I even leave my home country, I would have a good grasp of conversational Italian, or whatever other country I plan to live in. I would feel ashamed walking around and not making a solid effort to do so!
Hello, nice video. I’m trying to add some cultural background that are behind the scenes here in the south (you will not find those things in the north. And the south starts more or less from Naples and goes down. So mind I’m speaking only of these cultures). Hope it helps. In the south we are a family based society not an individualistic one. So when you come here you obviously you have not a family on the territory since generations thus we don’t have any way to understand if we can trust you or not. Because here is not only you, but is the family reputation that gives trust more than the single individual. So the behaviours of your parents, grandparents and your brothers and sisters before you are still connected to you in a deep way. So coming from an individualistic society is not easy to understand it at first. And being alone you have to do the hard work to gain the respect from zero. Speaking about respect: here is crucial and is like your social score. In an individualistic society your social score are mostly money and your job, but here those things are not valued. Instead respect is, and gaining respect is harder than gaining money. We base our relationship on respect and not on feelings about the person or the money they have in their pocket. So gaining respect is opening the door to life here and also society and friendships. Plus there is an hard golden rule to learn: here you are a guest and you have to adapt to us and not we have to adapt to you. We welcome people who want to be part of this society and not those who behave like cultural conquerors. Language is really needed at list the basics because in the village where I’m living I am the only one who speaks English. So imagine to be in a place where you can speak with me only. 😂
It’s the less wealthy parts of Italy I would enjoy the most. Who in the hell would go to Italy or any other country thinking every aspect is picturesque and well off?
So many people do - I think it’s the illusion that has been painted of this country for so long. I will say that the less wealthy parts feel more real.
I'm from Rome. I don't think many Italians would defend the government from criticism. We probably defend our country when our culture is criticized, but we all know we got corruption and economical crisis, it's not something we need to hide from strangers...
I am afraid, Italians love their own country. Yet, due to a long standing situation (e.g.: low wages) of suffering, this kind of affection become secondary. Yes, there are numerous and astonish places to visit, no doubt; but the priority is "to make ends meet".
I watched a few of your videos and I have got the impression that the content rotates around the same topic. What you say resonates with me and some of your views are spot on, but it is repetitive. Wish you could bring some new angles, beside educating potential expats with the doom and gloom
Thank you for sharing your feedback. I wouldn't say it's doom and gloom - it is reality - which also includes some rather beautiful aspects of which you'll find videos on this channel. This channel is dedicated to sharing real expat life here in South Italy - I hope that's for you but if not, I understand.
Dear MsBritaly. I totaly agree with you. Living in Palermo is not easy at all. Actyally in Italy. I have a lot of respect for you as you are always giving a bilanced and correct point of view. Cheers
The first two points you make are foreseeable with a bit of common sense. Unbelievable that an adult could just assume that changing country especially where the language is different, would be straightforward..
Italy certainly isn't as dogmatically Catholic as it once was. For all it's faults Italy has moved on from the 70's and 80's and will continue to do so. More Italians are becoming non practicing or even atheist and agnostic (like me!) and the Vatican church may be powerful in theory but in practice will lose it's grip.
@@MsBritaly These religious holidays and celebrations are mostly "celebrated" by enjoying some free time with friends whether by going to the beach in summer or simply hanging out. The religious aspect itself is slowly being forgotten. Church numbers are dwindling and many are closing. It'll take a while to be like the UK but they're getting there.
Un conto è passarci da turista, un conto è viverci,dopo 6 anni non hai voglia di imparare l italiano????....mi spiace,ma sei tu che devi integrarti...ci sono difficoltà?...ovvio...in quale parte del mondo non ci sono?...detto questo,io sono orgoglioso di essere italiano e di vivere nel piu bel paese al mondo.
Apart the language, the "patriotism", the poverty, mafia, etc., the real problem of South italy is the DON'T CARE of people about Environment, the NONCURANCE about Other's Rights, the UN-LOVE of their own Territory, etc., wich proves a fatalism that borders on nihilism towards one's own Land which really leads to nothing, to no hope, to no future, to no Dream that can be realized there (yet), any Beauty, and leads People to settle for to survive, in everyday life, the lack of commitment to achieve something, and the acceptance of oppression (mafia) and crime to simply "eat", or have, or possess. Therefore it is "normal", natural, for them, even to EMIGRATE in order, at least, to be able to physically continue to LIVE. A social aphasia. So that INDIVIDUALISM dominates, above all, given the Byzantine mentality, among men. Who, yes, attract Western Women with their "strength" (masculinity, sanguine character).
What you said about Italians on one hand will complain about their country and on the other will defend it if an outsider criticizes it is true but probably this is true in most countries. However, when I've mentioned my southern Italian family's experiences or mention the brutal history in the South after the Risorgimento and how the south is basically a colony of the North, I've got some serious attacks or at the minimum, eye rolls. Often, many are used to making jokes and statements about the South without having a foreigner come to its defense .😂
You just spotted 🔛 more than a five million Italian citizens have been left their country in the past 10 years a third of them aged 25 to 34! Italy is for the pensioners who have pensions schemes, and does people are just Pissed off with capitalism! It’s my personal opinion! Thank you nice video!
In Italy there is a big problem of low average wages, and many young people have difficulty finding a job they studied for. Having said that, your data is incorrect, the Italians who have moved abroad in the last 13 years are approximately 550 thousand (according to ISTAT). Italian citizens residing abroad are almost 6 million, but the majority of them are citizens born abroad with Italian citizenship, or who have acquired it (for example, 700,000 Italian citizens live in Argentina, 150,000 in Venezuela, in Brazil 300,000).
You may have to include also dose people who had Italian naturalisation and left their country! Maybe I’m not entirely clear with the numbers! Having said that can you please explain why Italy has such low average wages? What about small business owners? Even though Italy third largest economy in Europe!
As I've said before, Palermo is NOT the norm for Italy. Everyone elsewhere in Italy knows that it's a rough and difficult city. As for Italians loving their country, they surely do. And a lot. Basically, we love our country like we love our mother. We can criticize her, but you can't. I've a feeling that Brits and Germans have a more "rational" relationship with their country, while ours is emotional and passionate. I prefer the Italian approach. And Italy is pretty rich. All you need to do is to get out of Palermo. In the North, if you see a poor person on the street he's almost certainly an immigrant or a Southern Italian.
I would agree that us Brits do have more of a rational approach to talking about our country. According to a 2024 report on poverty and social exclusion, the number of poor households in northern Italy has doubled in the last decade (+97.2%), affecting almost one million households (from 506 thousand). The gap therefore between North and South although still exists is less than it once was.
@@MsBritaly You're missing the point that the North has a lot of immigrants from the South and developing countries. And they're the ones who make up the bulk of poor people here.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
What things did you get wrong about life in Italy? Comment below and let me know!
@MsBritaly Totally agree that you must learn Italiano. It's hard when the speak to you when you only know words. But, don't give up. Some Italians fear you as much as you them communicating. 🤗
FOR some strange reason English speaking people tend to think that everyone speaks English
Yes, I do agree. I think we just take it for granted sometimes.
Well, since the importance of English and communication, everyone SHOULD.
The main reason native English speakers (Brits, Australians, North Americans, etc) do not bother to learn other languages is the ridiculous idea that most people, everywhere in the world, speak a little bit of English. I had several arguments about this with my (English) wife who tried to justify such a foolish idea on the grounds of the worldwide predominance of the English language in business. I really hate the attitude of people who cannot be bothered to learn a little bit of the language of the country they are visiting. When I visited France I was able to put together a few sentences and the people who noticed my efforts to speak their language were very nice and helpful to me making my holiday a beautiful experience. Learning the language of the country you plan to visit is a basic act of courtesy that will be very rewarding.
It is indeed an important thing to do. Although my initial assumption was wrong, I have never expected people to speak in English with me. If they do it’s a bonus but it’s not something that I demand. I understand where I live and as a result I know that it is Italian I need to speak.
O lady! As an immigrant to the US…it takes time to adjust no matter where one goes! It’s their country and one should be prepared to adapts.
One can always return home!
Indeed - you need to be able to adapt and if you can't, I agree maybe it's better to try somewhere new.
I live in Tropea for two months now. I love this town. I find that tourist can be target. But in Tropea, there are genuine, honest people.
Good to know!
Iam Swedish I moved to Sicilia 3 years ago. The first thing I did was to find a Italian course, then I joined a walking group with only Italians I avoided meeting up with non Italian speaking people. You need an open mind to leave your comfort zone, don’t think so much about the difference in cultur etc . Enjoy Sicilia , nothing is perfect and that’s ok !
Beh certo,hai scelto la Sicilia che è proprio agli antipodi della Svezia!😆 C'è differenza pure x gli italiani,se sei del nord o del sud Italia!
Acceptance, stepping out of your comfort zone and making the most of your experience is crucial - absolutely
Hi Claire. To move to another area of the World you need the right mind set before you leave the place you were before. It does help if you have worked or lived in another country. It really helps you 1 million! The first experience is always the toughest. I had my first and it was tough but l was only there for 2 months. But believe me that helped me a lot. The next place I landed in long term was really red tape riddled and it was not Italy. I got used to it but I nearly went mad managing it. Once that was done, I was ready for anything! My motto was to never get stressed about anything. Take things in your stride and carry on. That was my personal constitution that I Swore allegiance to. I now find it easier in Italy than back home to deal with red tape. I managed to suss out everything pretty well. I do most things online but if I want to talk to a human I fix a “
Real meeting “ online, and go there to discuss things that you cannot discuss virtually, and discuss it face to face with a fellow human being.
To think that you can handle the hurdles before going to a new place is a mistake most of us make.
I have seen how things work in certain places in the World but never have I let it stress me out. Except the first time round……….
2. Languages in school: GB is just about the worst place for languages. Every nation must put linguistic skills as a priority in a World of many languages. Never assume the other country speaks your language. The biggest mistake us Brits make! Not me because I am a linguist….. but that was my own choice. You also need to speak the language of the place where you live to feel at home.
Of course with time you learn Italian just by living here.
3. Reminds me of Grimsby. So many places in the World are like this. Reality exists in every place.
4. Human relations grow everywhere. There are good and bad everywhere. Like in any place. As long as people
Know this then they will not be shocked.
5. I often criticise Italy and a lot of Italians agree with me.
If you start a conversation talking negatively most will be on your side.
Boyfriend quote: yes he is right. To a certain extent. I think this is a positive thing.
5. Palermo seems a bit out of bounds from what you say. I mean with the poverty. I don’t see this here but it exists here too as it does in Paris or London or in the outskirts of Lincoln. Or Napoli and Milan. Frankfurt. Budapest etc.
6. My point: you said Italians will start defending the country when they hear you talk the negative sides of Italy. I did that as well to some extent and I am British.
7. Pensions- better than our GB…… pensions.
8. Mafia: no you never see anything to do with it. I have had businesses in north and south and I have never had any problems with any kind of Mafia. The real Mafia is more efficient that Governments and have branches all over the World. And it is not just Italian. The London Mafia is massive! And linked. London = English.
As all over the World. I don’t think that Mafia is protection money. It is far beyond that. It may have been like that decades ago but not now.
9. Not one country but nor is Germany, Switzerland, Spain etc…… and nor is GB…… my best friend from School just came to see me from America and he was in Scotland and could not understand the people when they spoke. He said it was so embarrassing to just agree with everything. He made me laugh…..!
Happy new year Claire to you and your BF………and Tina…..
Thank you for sharing your insights - I agree with a lot of what you wrote. The comment about the Scottish accent made me laugh because it's one accent that I too have difficulty understanding! Happy New Year to you too!
I live in central italy, I work in transport, and I get a good wage and feel very looked after. For me, italy has been very good.
I’m pleased!
Which city do you live in?
I think you are not talking about Italy, but about southern Italy.
In central and northern Italy the level of knowledge of the English language is quite good, there are not so many dirty and degraded neighbourhoods, and poverty exists but is not so widespread... I live in Milan and I assure you that even the bureaucracy, the public transport, hospitals and social services are faster and more efficient.
Italians always criticize their country, but this doesn't mean they don't love it, moreover they have a strange rule that if you are Italian you can criticize Italy, but they don't accept a foreigner criticizing their country.
I would say though that the North isn't perfect - in fact as much as things may work better there for sure, there is still crime and no-go areas.
@MsBritaly Of course, the north is not perfect! I don't think there is a perfect place.
But there is no particular crime problem. Milan is the Italian city with the highest crime rate, but it is not as high as Manchester or Paris, and it is certainly safer even than Brussels or Dublin... without thinking about how dangerous Birmingham or Marseille are. Even in Barcelona there are thefts and robberies every day, but I wouldn't associate this beautiful city with crime!
Spero questo video faccia il giro del mondo!
Così triste ma così realistico...che dire... brava complimenti.
buon fine e inizio anno nuovo
Grazie mille!
Italy is known worldwide for its fine quality goods and products for a good reason. You are right in that many places export the best of their products to benefit the most from it, sometimes even neglecting themselves. In Colombia, the best coffee is often advertised as "export", letting people know of its quality. There's a saying "In a shoemaker's house the children go barefoot" or "In a blacksmith's house, the knives are made of wood".
Yes and I always think that's a shame.
I so much agree with the patriotism of Italians. sometimes it can be annoying. It's one of the reasons why I like Britain so much, Brits tend to be quite genuine. Some things work, some things don't and that's okay. I say that as a immigrant in Britain
Yes. The UK isn't perfect by any means and I'm the first to admit that!
I lived 20 years in the US, when I got back to Italy I thought I'd enjoy the house I inherited. Neighbours started with molesting actions on my property..As I related it casually to someone they remarked that "non sapevo farmi voler bene" and should do things like bringing them presents..dear British friend, there is a strange way of thinking in Italy...
Oh goodness, I'm sorry you had that experience.
I came to live in friuli venezia giulia 50years ago. Not knowing the language and to teach english. It was very hard for afew years . What i found frustrating was the red tape involved in practically everything. I love this country particularly the place i live on the slovenian border
I'm in FVG too! I do like this region. What made you decide to go there?
Wonderful - yes lots to adjust to but when you do, you really get to enjoy the experience.
I do remember that the four years I lived in Sicily (serving in Sigonella) were very happy. Not just because I was a young man, but the ability to walk in history, to mix with other cultures in a language I had to learn. The pace and rhythm of life there. I was told when I arrived in Sicily that I would suffer culture shock. Wrong. I suffered culture shock when I came home to the States.
You are completely right about the need to know the local language in Italy. However, both my own experience as well as people I have hired or I know is that even in the countries where pretty much everybody speak fluently English (Nordic countries etc), you do need to learn the local language, if you don't want to feel isolated.
It is probably much easier to deal with authorities (although not only because of language) in English (at least they can help) but at workplaces or socially it is a different story.
A friend of moved to Helsinki (Finland) a few years ago and he was surprised that it is not easy to feel connected with people without Finnish language (and that is a tough one) as people might talk to you in English while in Finnish between themselves.
Yes - language changes your entire experience.
I enjoyed this video. I live in New York with my family, have a pension, and have a business, and we are planning on moving to Florence maybe in 5 years. New York has changed for the worse, and there's just no city like Florence. I'll only move if I get my citizenship soon. Otherwise, hell no. I'm not screwing around with Visas. I keep hearing horror stories. I don't think it's perfect anywhere. If you can try to extract just the positives from each country, I think it can work. I won't need to work in Italy and money isn't really a problem, so I'll try to make it work. If not, I'll just come back to the U.S. But your points are all very good. I like getting info from someone like you because you are living in reality and are in Italy. About the only thing I worry about is going to a doctor, or taking my kids to a doctor, and nobody speaks English. Hopefully in Florence this isn't too much of a problem. I wish I spoke Italian, as my Grandmother did, as her whole family was from Puglia. I remember my great grandmother not being able to speak one word of English, lolol.
Yes no place on Earth is perfect for sure and accepting where you live really does change everything.
I think doctors in Florence will usually speak a decent english, you'll be ok. We're not talking about some small uncultured city and doctors usually have a good academic background.
There is a proverb that says "the true friend is the one who stays close to you when after knowing you well, he bears your faults and stays close to you"
Now that you know Italy so well and decide to stay and not return to your country I think you deserve the Italian citizenship.
Well done Claire
AD MAIORA
Ah thank you! It is true in that acceptance really changes everything.
Thanks Claire for sharing your experiences. Italy has changed so much over the years certainly with the pressure of immigration and lack of job opportunities for young people. The EU and the UK should come to an amicable agreement to share immigration numbers and provide safe routes to curtail traffic smugglers . I have only been on holiday there but the people were friendly. I would be interested to know the influence of the Giorgia Meloni government on Italians and life in general? Thanks.
Thank you! Giorgia Meloni divides many Italians with her controversial policies. The government is not loved here 100%.
So true what you’re saying. I’ve been to Italy 🇮🇹 four times. I’m at level B2 and in an Italian community amongst friends, going to parties and gatherings. This is in London. I’m struggling to fit in with the culture and way of thinking. While in Naples I struggled with understanding the accent.
It takes time but reaching the level you have is a fantastic achievement!
Oh gosh sooo true. I’ve been here for ages but now it’s all good
Italy is very different from Region to Region. You cannot generalize and talk of Italy. The mentality in the north is quite different from the south. I have lived in UK and I had to adjust to several things. Just one question: why did you expect not to need to learn Italian living in Italy?
Exactly- as I’ve said many a time, you cannot generalize Italy at all. It’s not that I didn’t expect not to learn Italian, it’s more that I really thought more people here would speak English and that I could initially get by this way.
Yes you can generalize Italy with the points shes made in this video regardless of the region. Go to rural Veneto and see who will talk to you in English or how romantic it is there lol.
I have lived in several cities in the north, south and central Italy and I can confirm living in Italy is much more difficult than living in the UK (lived both in small villages and in a big city in the UK too) even for italian people, especially if you don’t have support network.
Great video thanks, came a year after you from London, still having grief with the language, lack of confidence & laziness truth be told. Like a constant cloud hanging over my experience. Hope to crack it or turn a big corner in 2025. Have subbed to your podcast. Buon anno 👊
Thank you! Yes - small consistent study periods will make a huge difference!
@ appreciate that, consistency is vital i guess
I'm trying to learn Italian. I'd like to be fluent in Italian. I think 1 hour of self study a day will help.
Yes that level of commitment will really help - the important thing is that it works for you as everyone is so different when it comes to retaining information and our attention spans,
Budapest is a city where a lot of folks speak English. There are low expectations of foreigners learning Magyar because it's very difficult. But the Hungarians, especially those over 40, do appreciate it when you master key words or phrases in their language, or take the time to type short sentences and questions in your smartphone before approaching them. Living in the countryside is another matter entirely. Much less English spoken there.
It’s so interesting isn’t it to see how languages are adopted in each country. Yes, here in the more remote parts of Italy it will be nigh on impossible to find any English speakers.
It sounds just like the UK now Claire, and at least I can speak the language. I will do a month at a time in an apartment and learn the language I think. Thank you for the video. Happy New Year. 🙂 Michael.
Ah thank you! Yes that sounds a good plan! Happy New Year!
I can confirm from personal experience that living in Italy (north to south) is much more difficult than living in the UK.
It does feel like it at times for sure!
Duh. The audacity of moving to a country and thinking you don’t have to learn the local language is astounding. You seem nice, but yes you were very arrogant and I’m glad you can see that now.
Well yes indeed duh 🤣 Still, we live and learn right!
Thx for the honesty. Every video I've watched paints Italy as a "picture perfect" country. I found that very hard to believe. Reality is a hard pill to swallow for many.
Indeed it is but it’s important to be told.
The Italians have every right to complain about their country, we however do not. I applaud their patriotism, something we’ve lost here in the UK, much to out detriment!
Language has to be one of the most difficult, potentially distressing things in life.....not having a personality in a group is awful....I, like many others, have no doubt experienced this situation....my mother would often talk about this when she first moved to Italy (in the 1950s!)...fortunately, she had a musical ear and natural ability so learned it perfectly after a couple of years, but it's never easy.
Yes - but in a way it was a struggle that has taught me so much. I never appreciated language as I do, until I moved here.
Microphone: your dji mic is wireless. It has clip on technology. It is meant to be attached to clothes at chest level. Like on your overall straps. They do pick up your voice from 30cm distance.
You holding the mic in front of your face is - disturbing? And that is put it nicely. Your message is great. Why do you let technology unnecessarily get into your way? I am most curious about your rationale.
Because it's my channel and I do what I want - love and light ♥️
What about learning languages in the UK!?
Well, that's a whole other topic but I would agree that it's usually the same languages that are taught in state schools especially.
@ well I am Belgian and we learn 4 languages in high school. British living in Europe hardly ever learn the native language, which comes across to many of us being rather disrespectful. Italian education might teach English poorly but Brits and Americans moving around the world expecting everyone to talk English shows ignorance and disrespect.
4 languages? That's incredible. In the majority of state schools in the UK, you learn 1 additional language - 2 max. I agree that to learn another language changes your perspective of life and your experiences. I should note that even though I was quite naive in terms of how I thought English would be spoken here, I have never thrown my weight around and demanded that people speak to me in English. I've always respected that I live here and Italian is the language that I need to learn.
Flying to Palermo tomorroW. Any tips for a nice coffee bar or restaurant/osteria?
Stay away from anything close to tourist destinations or recommended to you by tourists lol brightly colored gelato is dyed and not the good stuff with authentic recipes. Stop asking for advice and explore without a plan is the best advice.
I'm actually going to point you in the direction of an Instagrammer called @pistachioinlondon - her latest post shows some great places!
The same can be said about New Zealand, at least as far as lamb goes. New Zealanders often get the "dregs" while Iran and other countries get the premium lamb.
It’s a shame isn’t it
You can expect tourist oriented businesses to speak English but elsewhere is totally bonkers! I’ve rented homes through out the world in usually non touristic areas and that is generally the norm. Locals don’t generally speak English or at least limited.
Out of respect for the society I’m joining, before I even leave my home country, I would have a good grasp of conversational Italian, or whatever other country I plan to live in. I would feel ashamed walking around and not making a solid effort to do so!
Yes make the effort absolutely- it’s the right attitude to have!
Hello, nice video. I’m trying to add some cultural background that are behind the scenes here in the south (you will not find those things in the north. And the south starts more or less from Naples and goes down. So mind I’m speaking only of these cultures). Hope it helps.
In the south we are a family based society not an individualistic one. So when you come here you obviously you have not a family on the territory since generations thus we don’t have any way to understand if we can trust you or not. Because here is not only you, but is the family reputation that gives trust more than the single individual. So the behaviours of your parents, grandparents and your brothers and sisters before you are still connected to you in a deep way. So coming from an individualistic society is not easy to understand it at first. And being alone you have to do the hard work to gain the respect from zero.
Speaking about respect: here is crucial and is like your social score. In an individualistic society your social score are mostly money and your job, but here those things are not valued. Instead respect is, and gaining respect is harder than gaining money.
We base our relationship on respect and not on feelings about the person or the money they have in their pocket. So gaining respect is opening the door to life here and also society and friendships.
Plus there is an hard golden rule to learn: here you are a guest and you have to adapt to us and not we have to adapt to you. We welcome people who want to be part of this society and not those who behave like cultural conquerors.
Language is really needed at list the basics because in the village where I’m living I am the only one who speaks English. So imagine to be in a place where you can speak with me only. 😂
Did you know any Italian when you first moved there?
A super basic amount which is why I cannot stress enough how important it is to learn it!
It’s the less wealthy parts of Italy I would enjoy the most. Who in the hell would go to Italy or any other country thinking every aspect is picturesque and well off?
So many people do - I think it’s the illusion that has been painted of this country for so long. I will say that the less wealthy parts feel more real.
I'm from Rome. I don't think many Italians would defend the government from criticism. We probably defend our country when our culture is criticized, but we all know we got corruption and economical crisis, it's not something we need to hide from strangers...
Yes - I think the Italian Government is one that divides many people
Ma che la corruzione esiste ovunque lo sa? E si accorgono solo della nostra?
I am afraid, Italians love their own country. Yet, due to a long standing situation (e.g.: low wages) of suffering, this kind of affection become secondary.
Yes, there are numerous and astonish places to visit, no doubt; but the priority is "to make ends meet".
Yes - it is true.
Thank you
I watched a few of your videos and I have got the impression that the content rotates around the same topic. What you say resonates with me and some of your views are spot on, but it is repetitive. Wish you could bring some new angles, beside educating potential expats with the doom and gloom
Thank you for sharing your feedback. I wouldn't say it's doom and gloom - it is reality - which also includes some rather beautiful aspects of which you'll find videos on this channel. This channel is dedicated to sharing real expat life here in South Italy - I hope that's for you but if not, I understand.
which part of the south are you in
She Is in Sicily
Palermo previously Salerno
@@MsBritaly do you prefer Palermo to Salerno? I ask as I have been considering around amalfi coast
Yes
Dear MsBritaly. I totaly agree with you. Living in Palermo is not easy at all. Actyally in Italy. I have a lot of respect for you as you are always giving a bilanced and correct point of view. Cheers
Thank you!
The first two points you make are foreseeable with a bit of common sense. Unbelievable that an adult could just assume that changing country especially where the language is different, would be straightforward..
These are my experiences - unbelievable as they may seem to you and others. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Italy certainly isn't as dogmatically Catholic as it once was. For all it's faults Italy has moved on from the 70's and 80's and will continue to do so. More Italians are becoming non practicing or even atheist and agnostic (like me!) and the Vatican church may be powerful in theory but in practice will lose it's grip.
Yes there is a shift although you can see feel the power of the church with the many religious holidays and celebrations throughout the year.
@@MsBritaly These religious holidays and celebrations are mostly "celebrated" by enjoying some free time with friends whether by going to the beach in summer or simply hanging out. The religious aspect itself is slowly being forgotten. Church numbers are dwindling and many are closing. It'll take a while to be like the UK but they're getting there.
Un conto è passarci da turista, un conto è viverci,dopo 6 anni non hai voglia di imparare l italiano????....mi spiace,ma sei tu che devi integrarti...ci sono difficoltà?...ovvio...in quale parte del mondo non ci sono?...detto questo,io sono orgoglioso di essere italiano e di vivere nel piu bel paese al mondo.
Le opinioni che ho espresso in questo video sono quelle che pensavo 6 anni fa. Da allora studio l'italiano.
Ma penso che gli inglesi in particolare hanno delle difficolta ad adattarsi all'estero
Penso che tutto dipenda dalla persona piuttosto che dalla nazionalità nel suo insieme
Penso sempre che se ti trovi male in un paese dopo anni che ci vivi è meglio che cambi posto!
Sono d'accordo
Apart the language, the "patriotism", the poverty, mafia, etc., the real problem of South italy is the DON'T CARE of people about Environment, the NONCURANCE about Other's Rights, the UN-LOVE of their own Territory, etc., wich proves a fatalism that borders on nihilism towards one's own Land which really leads to nothing, to no hope, to no future, to no Dream that can be realized there (yet), any Beauty, and leads People to settle for to survive, in everyday life, the lack of commitment to achieve something, and the acceptance of oppression (mafia) and crime to simply "eat", or have, or possess. Therefore it is "normal", natural, for them, even to EMIGRATE in order, at least, to be able to physically continue to LIVE. A social aphasia. So that INDIVIDUALISM dominates, above all, given the Byzantine mentality, among men. Who, yes, attract Western Women with their "strength" (masculinity, sanguine character).
Yes there are lots of issues beneath the surface of Italy and not caring about the Environment is a real problem here.
Criticism form a Brition? hmmm i can acccetp 75% of it . from a German 95% , from a French? 1%😛
Ahhhhhh
Gli italiani fanno combriccola....ci sta😂 normalissimo
What you said about Italians on one hand will complain about their country and on the other will defend it if an outsider criticizes it is true but probably this is true in most countries. However, when I've mentioned my southern Italian family's experiences or mention the brutal history in the South after the Risorgimento and how the south is basically a colony of the North, I've got some serious attacks or at the minimum, eye rolls. Often, many are used to making jokes and statements about the South without having a foreigner come to its defense .😂
Ah good for you for defending the South - it gets such a bad rap here at times.
You just spotted 🔛 more than a five million Italian citizens have been left their country in the past 10 years a third of them aged 25 to 34! Italy is for the pensioners who have pensions schemes, and does people are just Pissed off with capitalism!
It’s my personal opinion!
Thank you nice video!
In Italy there is a big problem of low average wages, and many young people have difficulty finding a job they studied for.
Having said that, your data is incorrect, the Italians who have moved abroad in the last 13 years are approximately 550 thousand (according to ISTAT).
Italian citizens residing abroad are almost 6 million, but the majority of them are citizens born abroad with Italian citizenship, or who have acquired it (for example, 700,000 Italian citizens live in Argentina, 150,000 in Venezuela, in Brazil 300,000).
Where did you get those numbers? In Ireland most of the “Italians” you meet are actually South Americans
You may have to include also dose people who had Italian naturalisation and left their country!
Maybe I’m not entirely clear with the numbers!
Having said that can you please explain why Italy has such low average wages?
What about small business owners?
Even though Italy third largest economy in Europe!
As I've said before, Palermo is NOT the norm for Italy. Everyone elsewhere in Italy knows that it's a rough and difficult city.
As for Italians loving their country, they surely do. And a lot. Basically, we love our country like we love our mother. We can criticize her, but you can't. I've a feeling that Brits and Germans have a more "rational" relationship with their country, while ours is emotional and passionate. I prefer the Italian approach.
And Italy is pretty rich. All you need to do is to get out of Palermo. In the North, if you see a poor person on the street he's almost certainly an immigrant or a Southern Italian.
I would agree that us Brits do have more of a rational approach to talking about our country. According to a 2024 report on poverty and social exclusion, the number of poor households in northern Italy has doubled in the last decade (+97.2%), affecting almost one million households (from 506 thousand). The gap therefore between North and South although still exists is less than it once was.
@@MsBritaly You're missing the point that the North has a lot of immigrants from the South and developing countries. And they're the ones who make up the bulk of poor people here.
Italian people speaks nothing but italian , that's true .They are not able to speak not only english ,but french, Spanish.
Not true, I speak 6 languages. But it’s true that many Italians have problems with foreign languages