This post is truly chock full of great advice! (Couldn't have said it better myself in other words). The most important thing is to integrate and kind of low-key the fact that you are the "foreigner". There are millions of little courtesies and customs here that are sometimes hard to pick up on--like addressing total strangers in places you probably never would back home: waiting rooms are classic, so a buon giorno is always a good idea. If you live in an apartment building, say something to your neighbours in passing even if you don't really know them; if you recognise them in other contexts, ditto. Also in small shops, always greet the person at the counter, even if you're not sure you want anything at all--that person is probably the owner, and would like you to acknowledge his/her presence. If you get invited to someone's home for Sunday lunch (a real social coup that!) be sure to bring a little something for your hostess--stopping off at a pasticceria to pick up a tray of cookies or small sweets is a winner.Remember: YOU wanted to live here. No one here begged for your presence, so keep that in mind as you move through your experience. Blending in takes time and patience but in the end is worth it. Everyone I know here refers to me as l'americana--they always will and I don't care--but they don't see me as "other" either: they've accepted me as one of them basically, probably because I have learned all those little things that make me one of them, despite not having been born here. Plus I speak like a native now--that helps!
Keep your expectations reasonable and go with the flow. Try to be involved with as many native Italians as possible--they are a wealth of interesting information and in the main a lot of fun to boot (plus they ALWAYS know where to eat best!)
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This post is truly chock full of great advice! (Couldn't have said it better myself in other words). The most important thing is to integrate and kind of low-key the fact that you are the "foreigner". There are millions of little courtesies and customs here that are sometimes hard to pick up on--like addressing total strangers in places you probably never would back home: waiting rooms are classic, so a buon giorno is always a good idea. If you live in an apartment building, say something to your neighbours in passing even if you don't really know them; if you recognise them in other contexts, ditto. Also in small shops, always greet the person at the counter, even if you're not sure you want anything at all--that person is probably the owner, and would like you to acknowledge his/her presence. If you get invited to someone's home for Sunday lunch (a real social coup that!) be sure to bring a little something for your hostess--stopping off at a pasticceria to pick up a tray of cookies or small sweets is a winner.Remember: YOU wanted to live here. No one here begged for your presence, so keep that in mind as you move through your experience. Blending in takes time and patience but in the end is worth it. Everyone I know here refers to me as l'americana--they always will and I don't care--but they don't see me as "other" either: they've accepted me as one of them basically, probably because I have learned all those little things that make me one of them, despite not having been born here. Plus I speak like a native now--that helps!
Keep your expectations reasonable and go with the flow. Try to be involved with as many native Italians as possible--they are a wealth of interesting information and in the main a lot of fun to boot (plus they ALWAYS know where to eat best!)