The colpo d’aria is a funny one - when I try to explain to Italian relatives and friends that the concept doesn’t exist in England, they look at me in utter disbelief, which then turns into horror. ‘But then what do you call it?’ ‘Nothing, it doesn’t exist’ …. Cue more horrified gasps ../
Assolutamente non scusarti Francesca! Mi fa tanto piacere sentire che ti sia piaciuto l’articolo e che ti ci sia rivista. Mio marito se la ride sempre quando i miei dicono “c’è aria” 😅
This made me chuckle - having lived now in Italy for four years I’ve come across pretty much all of them! And the fear of cold drinks…just this morning I was in the local vivai and literally melting in the heat - the lovely owner saw I was struggling and offered me a coffee! When I said I’d prefer some cold water she literally shuddered 😂😂😂
Squaraus made me actually loudly laugh out loud, such a fun article! As a Brit married to a Spaniard, I've also learnt to repect the two hour window and that my husband also doesn't like too much air conditioning. A favorite of mine is that Spanish mothers will also tell you to drink your orange juice immediately so the vitamins don't disappear.
I moved to France a year and a half ago from the US and I am still absolutely baffled by everyone's fear of AC or not being bundled up enough outside! I grew up in an extremely hot desert, plus, my body naturally runs warmer than others, so I am often ill-prepared for literally any weather condition. But! It has never made me sick! 😂
That's fascinating Kelsey! I always thought it was people who grew up in cold climates (like my husband and friend Geertje) to be immune to the cold and AC! Perhaps it works on both extremes?
Beautiful! So many of these things also align with Indian Ayurveda & Traditional Chinese Medicine ancient wisdom, as it’s connected with nature ! Lovely.
I am obsessed with this list!! Especially the hair growth one... as someone who desperately wishes for longer, thicker hair I’m going to follow that one from now on 😂
Grazie mille for this post! My American born Sicilian marito and I just moved to Sicily. This explains a LOT. The scarves and hatred of cold, dressing like Eskimo's in 65°; it all makes sense now. Brava!
😂 that would be putting it mildly. The Sicilians have been wonderful. We love our landlords - they treat us like family. Warm, friendly people for the most part. But, like everything else, our experience is based on our attitude. We are learning Italian, being patient and learning how to work around the bureaucracy. The Sicilians really appreciate that. Also......struggling with the afternoon nap period. 🤣 Everything shuts down. So aggravating!! But overall, doing all right.
My Italian teacher was so horrified by my wet hair 😂😂 it’s summer and 95 degrees !!! It will dry in 10 mins im not breakout out the hair dryer !!!
hahah I can picture your teacher's face Bella 😂 I'd say it is acceptable in summer (just barely), but in winter it's considered pure maddness!
The colpo d’aria is a funny one - when I try to explain to Italian relatives and friends that the concept doesn’t exist in England, they look at me in utter disbelief, which then turns into horror. ‘But then what do you call it?’ ‘Nothing, it doesn’t exist’ …. Cue more horrified gasps ../
I don't think we are ready to face the fact it is not a scentific reality Jo..😂
Ciao Martina! Mi è piaciuto un sacco questo post😍❤️
Mi ha ricordato molto quello che mia mamma e mia nonna mi dicevano quando ero piccolina (tipo i punti del colpo d'aria e dei capelli bagnati)😂
Chiedo scusa per il commento in italiano, ma e la prima volta che vedo un altra italiana (anche se "inglese di adozione") su Substack😆
Assolutamente non scusarti Francesca! Mi fa tanto piacere sentire che ti sia piaciuto l’articolo e che ti ci sia rivista. Mio marito se la ride sempre quando i miei dicono “c’è aria” 😅
Never knew canadians and italians had so much in common! (Swimming was 1 hr after eating)
I think that one makes sense!
well, in Austria (close to Italy), it was 2 hours also and even though I am
in no way superstitious I would not let my children go near a swimming pool or body of water until 1 hour after lunch 🤣
Better safe than sorry right?! 😂
This made me chuckle - having lived now in Italy for four years I’ve come across pretty much all of them! And the fear of cold drinks…just this morning I was in the local vivai and literally melting in the heat - the lovely owner saw I was struggling and offered me a coffee! When I said I’d prefer some cold water she literally shuddered 😂😂😂
I'm glad you enjoyed the article! Trust Italians to think everything can be cured with coffee 😅
Squaraus made me actually loudly laugh out loud, such a fun article! As a Brit married to a Spaniard, I've also learnt to repect the two hour window and that my husband also doesn't like too much air conditioning. A favorite of mine is that Spanish mothers will also tell you to drink your orange juice immediately so the vitamins don't disappear.
haha I love that!!! it sounds like something we would have too...
As an Italophile... I am OBSESSED with this. Makes me remember just how superstitious my Italian grandparents were! Truly such a fun read.
Thank you so much Laura Jean! I had so much fun writing this piece, I’m glad you found it fun too. Where were your nonni from?
Reggio Calabria! I’ve been lucky enough to visit it myself since their passing. Truly a special experience!
Beautiful! I have never been but would love to one day!
This was wonderful to read!!
I moved to France a year and a half ago from the US and I am still absolutely baffled by everyone's fear of AC or not being bundled up enough outside! I grew up in an extremely hot desert, plus, my body naturally runs warmer than others, so I am often ill-prepared for literally any weather condition. But! It has never made me sick! 😂
That's fascinating Kelsey! I always thought it was people who grew up in cold climates (like my husband and friend Geertje) to be immune to the cold and AC! Perhaps it works on both extremes?
Beautiful! So many of these things also align with Indian Ayurveda & Traditional Chinese Medicine ancient wisdom, as it’s connected with nature ! Lovely.
Isn’t it so interesting how these ancient wisdoms travel across wildly different cultures?
The amount of dirty looks my friends would get when they walked out of our Roman apartment with wet hair 😅😂
#askingfortrouble 😂
I am obsessed with this list!! Especially the hair growth one... as someone who desperately wishes for longer, thicker hair I’m going to follow that one from now on 😂
haha let me know if you notice anything different Bella!
Grazie ! Mi sono molto divertita leggendo il Suo articolo ! Mi piace tanto il colpo d’aria e il canarino !!
Piacere mio Rosa!
This is hilarious! Such a fun read!
Thank you so much! I’m so happy to hear it!
Can confirm, and TCM will likely agree with many of these points about the cold and wet!!
There are so many parallels between TCM and Italian Health beliefs. So fascinating, and it suggests there must be truth to them!
Grazie mille for this post! My American born Sicilian marito and I just moved to Sicily. This explains a LOT. The scarves and hatred of cold, dressing like Eskimo's in 65°; it all makes sense now. Brava!
Thank you Michelle! I’d be curious to hear how you are finding your move to Sicily – must be quite a cultural change!
😂 that would be putting it mildly. The Sicilians have been wonderful. We love our landlords - they treat us like family. Warm, friendly people for the most part. But, like everything else, our experience is based on our attitude. We are learning Italian, being patient and learning how to work around the bureaucracy. The Sicilians really appreciate that. Also......struggling with the afternoon nap period. 🤣 Everything shuts down. So aggravating!! But overall, doing all right.
I'm going to have to move my bed.
😂