Italy, a Man's Country?

So what is this Italian culture all about? Is it a man's culture? Lets take a closer look.

Italians, notably the Romans, conquered the known world at one time; and managed to rule this empire from a central location. It required wit, strategic thinking, strong men at arms, skill, and perseverance. They did it -- they conquered it all and ruled over it for hundreds of years. So, how do you top that? Its a gesture hard to overcome. You've been the top; now what else can you prove?

So, Italians just take it easy, relax a little; "hang out" more than one can imagine. Eating dinner at 12 midnight on a weekday is a common thing. But is this culture still a man's culture? Is it full of tall strong men who can carry the weight of an empire on their shoulders? Can they be dominant, aggressive, protectorate, providing and righteous? Lets examine.

On food, as mentioned, the greatest kinds are the pasta, the olive, the tomato. Beef is practically unheard of, as is pork. A salad, is "insalata" which by the way, is served before dinner, not afterwards. All these words, ending in "a" and "o" start to paint a picture of those who are what they eat.

The people are really friendly, talkative and sociable. They seemingly are always happy or engaged in very emotional conversations waving hands. They are lively; but you get the sense just not all that "with it" on the diversity sense. Sort of like living in a half-comatose state of life, they seem to be interested in their own cliques, their own people, and living a sort of homogeneous style of life. You don't see many mixed cultures here, everyone looks Italian or foreign -- that's all. And, they can tell immediately. There's simply no chance of fooling them.

The women, oh my, are absolutely gorgeous. Every one of them is amazingly beautiful -- its almost impossible to be reality. But, American Ladies -- don't be jealous -- I'd never stand any chance with them. After all, I don't own a moped (mini Motorcycle, see earlier posts); and that puts you way behind in the game. Like the French, the beauty and perfumes are all there but its the cool guys with the motorcycles who get the chicks.

Lets move on to liquor. The rough stuff, "beer" that puts hair on your chest is really not all that known for here. Instead it is called birra pronounced beer-AH. You have sweet liquers, vini (wine) of all kinds. Coffee is non-existent and instead they have these 1 shot sized expressos and cappuchinos. Lets not forget their obsession with gelatas.

The weather? Its hot over here, 35C today. Its muggy, misty, sticky, and it doesn't let up. Its tough to bear such a heat, it puts you to sleep. Italians only work six hours a day and practically four maybe five days a week. They even have a siesta time (nap time) in the middle of the day, the government regulates it. It kind of sets the mood for everything else.

So Italy, a Man's Country? Hard laborers, protectors, warriors, rulers, providers, vicious lion sacrifices. Is this is what Italy is all about? Or is it effeminate? I don't even want to tell you what my hotel bathroom comes equipped with.

I'll let you decide for after all -- tomorrow is Rome, and we'll see what they actually did accomplish and see the grandeur of masculine Italy and of course it will all be reported right here.