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[–]florasis 5 insightful - 3 fun5 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 3 fun -  (11 children)

How are you is a normal saying in Italy too. It's just a way to greet someone and you aren't supposed to really tell your problems. Seem like italian and american culture are ways more similar. Did you find USA more funny to live in?

[–]VioletRemi 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Here "how are you" is used as a greetings, but you should reply to it. So it is often "How are you?" - "I am not very well, and you?" - "I'm fine. Long time haven't seen you". Etc.

[–]florasis 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Same

[–]begonia_skies 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (8 children)

I don't think I find the US more funny, I guess. I haven't been back in awhile, so it is always a little disorienting the first few days back. Americans will just start talking to you, like in a line, or anywhere and that never happens in Germany unless they are telling you that you did something wrong, lol! I have been to Italy several times and in my personal opinion Italians seem more laid back and more focused on their families. I think Italians are louder in conversations than Americans, but I don't think passion is a bad thing. Italians seem to be really proud to be Italian and proud of their culture. Driving in Italy is a nightmare though!

[–]florasis 5 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 2 fun -  (6 children)

Are you going around all over the world? Yeah, we have pretty strong family ties. Relationships with our parents are sacred and mother is a very important figure here. In USA, parents expect to kick out their kids at 18. While here, especially in south, they won't complain to even help their kids at 40. The relationship with our parents is the most important because in the end they're the one that will love us like no others ever will. And being loud and hand gesturing is our nature. Even our most introverted ones, like me, will seem pretty expressive comparing to the north coldness. And yeah, there is pride in being italian. It isn't a case that many italian americans will brag about their origins, even if they don't speak italian and have little in common in italians born here. Our country is beautiful, if they had the organized economy and politics of north Europe, it would be the best country on the planet. I don't see much problem driving, but depends where are, I guess. But I think americans are more funny the north europeans and more exciting to know-

[–]begonia_skies 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Haha, okay I thought you meant "funny" as in weird. Yes, I think Americans do have a better sense of humor than Germans, but I don't really "get" German humor, so that might be the issue. And I love Italy, I have been many times! Spain and Italy are my two favorite places to visit because I love the laid back vibes, when I am on vacation I want to chill out and relax. So I am a big fan of southern italy and sicily, with a nice glass of red wine - sounds like heaven to me.

[–]florasis 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

No, I meant funny in character, way of being, the general country atmosphere. I think North America is better than north europe in that sense. But North Europe is better for stress free life. I guess it depends what you want in life. For someone raising kids, North Europe is way better. I mean, raising kids is already hard, if you also add healthcare expenses, edeucation debt, childcare and others big worries I don't really know how americans manage it.

I'm from Sicily, I won't live here for long, but I hope to die here.

[–]VioletRemi 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

I actually dislike that part in americans the most :D

[–]florasis 8 insightful - 4 fun8 insightful - 3 fun9 insightful - 4 fun -  (2 children)

The shitty individualism and lack of good universal healthcare? Yeah, it is depressing.

[–]VioletRemi 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Well, I mean general mentality and how they treat others around.

[–]florasis 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

They tend to always appear happy and nice lol

[–]blackrainbow 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Well, i think it also depends on the region, veneto is not that laid back and more similar to Germany than the US