The Friendship Paradox in Italy
Don't mistake friendliness for friendship, but that doesn't mean you can't build relationships. Find out how. Plus, loving the South, the importance of "Buongiorno," and paying homage to a road race.
Friendly Does NOT = Friend
As you plan your new life in Italy, get ready for warm welcomes and genuine hospitality! Italians are known for being a friendly bunch. But hold on a sec – being friendly in Italy doesn't always translate to being instant BFFs. Plenty of expats who have gone before you will attest to the fact that breaking into a friend group is no easy task.
Here's the thing: Italians have a strong network of close friends, often built from childhood. New friendships take time and shared experiences to develop. So, while that shop owner strikes up a conversation or your neighbor offers help, it doesn't mean they're inviting you to Sunday lunch just… yet. But don’t be discouraged.
Here's how to navigate the Italian friendliness zone:
Enjoy the warmth! Italians genuinely care about making you feel welcome. Just because they aren’t offering an invite to friendship doesn’t mean they’re being phony.
Be patient. Building friendships takes time and effort. Expect a LONG period of observation. You’ll probably feel the curious stares. It’s all a part of the process.
Initiate activities. Suggest grabbing coffee, joining a club, or attending local events, and if you get shot down, brush it off and move on.
Embrace the community. Italians love socializing in cafes, piazzas, and social gatherings. Become a regular at the local bar, find a favorite trattoria, and be open to meeting new people!
Moving to a new country can sometimes feel lonely so finding a fellow expat or two to share the journey may help ease the initial discomfort. The bottom line is, let go of expectations and roll with the punches. You are the one entering a new world so flexibility is key. Buon divertimento.
Gotta Love the South
With all of the talk about the differences between the North and the South, it can sometimes feel like Italy’s Mezzogiorno gets a little snubbed. You’ll hear there’s more confusion, fewer rules, a language that is hardly discernable to an outsider’s ear, nonsensical bureaucracy, etc, etc… All of this may be true, to a certain extent, but there’s just something about the South that will capture your heart if you let it.
For all the drawbacks, there is plenty of upside. The South offers a captivating blend of history, charm, and leisure. Outdoor lovers will find the warm temps, humbling mountain tops, and endless coastlines too tempting to resist. Food is not just sustenance in the South; it's an art form. Fresh, local ingredients create unforgettable dishes – think vibrant caprese salads, steaming plates of pasta with seafood, and pizzas that defy description (all for a price that will leave you speechless!).
While the North is known for cosmopolitan cities, more organized infrastructure, and stronger economies, the South is more focused on creating community, pursuing connection, and, basically, enjoying life. The pace is decidedly slower and efficiency is pretty much non-existent but people don’t move here to be efficient (or they shouldn’t). They move here to fall in love with life — to leave the “hurry” at the door and take the days as they come.
Yes, it’s a different way to look at the world and it’s definitely not for everyone, but it is for those who appreciate a fluid perspective and see beauty in a little bit of chaos. What’s your opinion? Have you fallen in love with the South? Let us know on our Facebook page.
Let Those “Buongiorno”s Fly 👋
Moving to Italy requires quite a bit of flexibility. You may be prepared for the big things like budgeting, unexpected detours, painful bureaucracy, and learning a new language, but it’s often the little things that stretch us the most. The Italian culture may, on the surface, seem familiar to you after, perhaps, years of visiting as a tourist or searching for your perfect property. But when you move here and do life here, some nuances will suddenly feel surprising.
We’ve said it many times before but it’s still worth repeating: Italian culture is rooted in relationship. This is why it can feel hard to break into a new community. Relationships take time. There is a certain amount of observing that needs to happen here before you’ll be embraced. This is why you may notice some suspicious looks or stares as you walk through a new town, whether you live there or not. It’s not personal. It’s more of a curiosity. People want to know who you are, why you’re here, and what your intentions are.
Of course, you’re not obligated to share any information but you may want to start with a simple, “Buongiorno.” This universal greeting is repeated over and over again on a daily basis, but it’s more than just a greeting. It’s common ground. A place to start. A sign of acknowledgment.
You may quickly notice that when you walk into a local shop or caffè, you’re immediately greeted with a resounding, “Buongiorno!” At first, this enthusiasm may be off-putting, depending on where you’re coming from. In North America, for example, you may get a quiet “Welcome in,” or “Hello,” when entering a store, but it’s rare for a customer to walk in and announce themselves. Not in Italy. In this case, “Buongiorno” is a polite invitation to interact. So, don’t be shy. Announce your arrival with (measured) gusto! You may not make a friend by doing so, but you’ll be participating in an Italian tradition, which is a great way to ease into a new culture.
Podcast Corner - Key Digital Nomad Updates
As most of you know, we’ve been busy digesting all of the new requirements for Italy’s new digital nomad visa. Since its introduction a few months ago, it seems the expat community has been on a bit of a roller coaster. While the mere existence of this visa is exciting and attractive for many of you, we are in Italy so the rollout has been lacking in specifics.
We’ve been assisting SMI community members who want to pursue this path to Italy but you may be surprised to know that, so far, exactly ZERO digital nomads have actually been issued. Of course, we want to keep you posted on the latest so Samantha shares some key updates and insights in a recent podcast episode.
Be sure to tune in to find out why having a degree and/or license far outweighs professional experience when it comes to securing this visa and learn about some of the hoops popping up in the process. Get ready to jump through them!
Sam also chats with Kristin Wilson, a 15-year digital nomad veteran, to explore the ups and downs of this transient lifestyle that so many of you seem drawn to. Together, they pull back the curtain on the challenges, tackle the accuracy of the media’s portal of digital nomads, and ponder the future of the movement. Think you have what it takes to dive in? Find out now. 👇
A Road Race for the Ages - The Acerbo Cup 🏆 🏎️
Italy’s love affair with cars is one of epic proportions. To be more specific, fast cars have intrigued, entertained, and captivated Italians for decades. The sport has not only created a culture of racing fans but it’s also influenced the birth and explosion of an entire industry.
Today, Italian automobile brands are some of the most sought-after in the world. Take, for example, uber-famous brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Maserati, and Pagani. Many of us think of these luxury cars as showpieces for the very wealthy — and they are — but they’re also rooted in high performance, as demonstrated by Italy’s open road races. These races used the country’s landscape as a course and spectators could witness the action from all over the countryside, making it incredibly popular.
You may have heard of the Mille Miglia, a 1000-mile open road race that ran between 1927 and 1957. Stretching from Brescia in the North to Rome and back, this race was a true event for Italians everywhere. It eventually ended due to safety concerns.
The Targa Florio predated the Mille Miglia, starting in 1906 and running through the 1970s. Known for its elevation gain and incredibly twisting course, this race transversed northern Sicily.
The Coppa Acerbo put Pescara and the Adriatic Coast on the racing map. Running from 1924 to 1961. The 25-mile course, a challenging mix of straights, mountains, and curves, attracted top drivers like Enzo Ferrari (who won the inaugural race), Tazio Nuvolari, and Juan Manuel Fangio. The Acerbo Cup was not only significant for the racing world; it also gave Pescara’s economy a huge boost. Also discontinued due to safety concerns, the race left a legacy on Abruzzo that is still celebrated today.
In fact, a documentary celebrating the Acerbo Cup recently opened at the Flaiano Sala at Aurum in Pescara. Titled La Coppa Acerbo. Engines, Consent, and Modernity, and sponsored by Soprintendenza Archivistica e Bibliografica dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, the exhibition features archival posters, newspaper clippings, photographs, footage, and memorability surrounding this treasured event.
Interested in learning more about the Acerbo Cup but can’t make it to Pescara? Check out this👇 short documentary…and practice your Italian at the same time!
Location Spotlight - Rapallo, Liguria
This week, let’s take a trip to the Italian Riviera, where, at least on the surface, life can easily be mistaken for a postcard. Rapallo, Liguria stands out as a location that just might have it all - stunning landscapes, a vibrant culture, great transportation connections, and a relaxed atmosphere. What’s not to love?
With a population of around 30,000, Rapallo is big enough to offer every service and comfort you may want but small enough to feel like a community. Because it’s situated between Genoa and the Cinque Terre, you’ll always be a quick trip away from amazing activities and all of the historical and cultural sites you can handle. Hop on a train and arrive in Pisa in an hour and a half, or take a beautiful 15-minute coastal drive to the world-famous town of Portofino.
Of course, you may never want to leave. Between the colorful town center, historic harbor, and numerous festivals that take place throughout the year, Rapallo is an easy place to stay put.
Can’t wait to get to Rapallo? We get it. Maybe check out this👆gorgeous 2 bedroom/1 bath apartment overlooking Portofino while you’re there. It is listed for € 480.000 and comes with to-die-for views of Portofino. Want to see all the details? Don’t forget to subscribe to Vendita for 30 property picks sent to you every Sunday. To subscribe via email, click here or join our Telegram channel. It’s completely free!
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA)
Send your questions to sophia@smartmoveitaly.com.
Dear Sam: I’m property shopping and have found some great options. I know I want to be in a city center but I’m torn between wanting to find a place less well-known and a town that is super popular on the tourist route (like Montepulciano, Orvieto, or Siena). I would like to rent it out in the months I’m not there so, financially, a touristy town makes sense but I’d love your perspective on the challenges this poses. What don’t I know about having an apartment in the middle of a potentially very busy town?
Dear Elliana: One of the hardest parts about buying property in Italy is deciding on “where” to buy. This country has a lot to offer from the sea to mountains, small idyllic country towns to international cities, so choosing which is best can be very hard. The best advice I can give you is to consider what you will prefer in 5 or 10 years from now because flipping property is not a thing here, and you will likely be the happy owner decades later. What seems charming now, may become tiring later.
If you want to step out of your door and into a bar or fresh daily market, have no need or desire for a car, and want the convenience of delivery, services, and variety, then choose a city.
If your intention is to slow down and have only a few spots to dine out and fewer people, then a small town is better. You can always go to the city to get your variety when you want and return to the quiet of a small town.
From an investment point of view, you will do better in a busy town because the rental season will typically be longer than in a small town that only peaks in the summer.
GRAB A SEAT IN OUR BOOTCAMP! 🙋♀️
It’s that time again! Get ready to have your questions answered, get clarity on your goals, and really dig into the nitty-gritty of starting a new life in Italy. Our FREE 3-day bootcamp is just around the corner so mark your calendars and grab your seat.
Want to know the one secret to following through with your move and really living the life you dream of? (It has nothing to do with getting a visa!) We’ll be covering that and so much more. This is our biggest event of the year and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. Are you in? 👇
As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!