Lessons I’ve Learned From the Italian People

  Each time I visit Italy I learn something new from the Italian people.  Certain aspects of  life in Italy  have left an indelible mark in my mind, changing my perspective on life in many ways. Maybe more than anything else, I have been inspired by the hardiness of the older Italian men and women. No wonder Italians average lifespan is longer than that of  Americans.  According to the 2024 statistics compiled by the The United Nations – Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Italians’ average life expectancy is 83.87 years for both sexes.  The average life expectancy for.Americans is only 79.46 years. The Italian people know what hard work is and are not afraid or unwilling to do whatever it takes to function in their everyday lives. In many places of  Italy, their houses are built into hillsides. This might offer great views but also necessitates walking up hundreds of uneven stone steps every time they go anywhere. In some small villages, even if they own a car, they may have to park it on a street, 200 feet below their house, and walk the rest of the way. This means that the Italians do this every day, in all kinds of weather.They must carry anything they have bought, or needed to bring when they left their homes. In other places, their homes may be along the street, but the street could be on a 30-degree incline or more, as well as the ten other streets they must maneuver to reach a bus line, a chiesa  (church) or small alimentari (grocery). Accustomend to this way of life, the Italian people know nothing else and do it without complaining or asking for help. Spending time in Italy and observing these older Italians has definitely impacted me. Now I think twice before complaining over trivial inconveniences, such as not having a close parking spot at the supermarket.   When talking with local Italians, I notice they are very proud of their age. I watched an elderly woman drag her grocery cart up the steps behind her in La Pigna, the historic center of San Remo. I decided to approach her. “Quanti anni hai?” I asked her. “How old are you?” With a smile, she proudly answered, “Ottant’anni,” “Eighty years old.”   I love learning about the Italian people. Whenever I visit Italy, for me, aside from Italy’s natural beauty, its historic monuments, the amazing food, and the authentic “made in Italy” products,  the main attraction are the people.

Chestnut vendor on the streets of Rome

What about you? What have you learned from the Italian people? Has it changed your life? I’d love to hear your feedback, so please share your own experience and leave a comment. Grazie and Ciao. If you like this post, you may be interested in more stories about the Italian people in my books detailing my travels to Italy.Save

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In case you haven’t checked out my Italy travel books, they are available on Amazon and Audible. Enjoy!