>I like the idea of sitting at a locanda with either wine or beer (as long as it is good)

Maybe it could be the only way to really talk and understand each other, coming from such different places (this being the fun of the whole thing, after all). Well, did you ever try Menabrea? It is a Italian beer that is served only in pubs (do not know why) and that won many world prizes – this without diminishing the clear superiority of English beers ah ah ah.

>There is an amount of resignation here, in Italy, that I find quite shocking

I agree, it is a bit depressing. Italy is not living a positive moment, I believe (also because of the emerging economies). Well, this thing that you keep repeating, that Italians have this resignation…. said by an Englishman, it is nonetheless interesting, considering also that you live in Milan, which is an innovative place – compared to other parts of this country – and one of the richest areas in Europe … I am thinking of it.

Well, you are from a more dynamic part of the world – the Channel area etc. – , this is for sure. The Mediterranean is more static, since the economy shifted to North long ago. In the central and southern parts of this country, which I know better, resignation comes from ages of immobility and from power relationships which were fixed and immutable, this causing a lot of Italian migrations all over the world. Still, Northern Italy …..too long and complex topic to be discussed here, plus maybe I am too old to have a real feel of what is happening in the new Italy emerging….

Ciao

I don’t think we had many good rulers – we just won a lot of things and, as you know, history is written by the winners!

I like the idea of sitting at a locanda with either wine or beer (as long as it is good) and am sure it would help.

There is an amount of resignation here, in Italy, that I find quite shocking. A shrug of the shoulders is a common response when faced with a hurdle. This could lead people to think that the Italians don’t desire change. I think that is wrong. I think they would like change but, maybe, everytime they try to change something it still ends up the same as before. That’s because, in my opinion, there is no real collective desire for real change. We all want to be comfortable – and what is familiar is comfortable, even if it’s not the best thing. Look at people who stay in abusive relationships!
Ciao
From North Central

>A little heavy I suspect and …probably less comprehensible than I would like.
No, not at all, what you say is very clear. Thanks a lot then. I’ll try to reply as soon as I can. Ciao

MoR

http://manofroma.wordpress.com/2008/02/17/isn%e2%80%99t-british-trojan-horse-a-short-sighted-animal/

All the best
From Southern West

You could say conformism and, to some extent, that would be true. But, actually I do mean conservatism. I get the feeling that there is no real desire for change or, if there must be some, then it should be taken in very small steps. Not that the UK is any better but many people from the UK will not know that here, it is at least as bad as in the UK.

And, although not everyone is to the right, politically, and you have had a thriving (?) communist party (at least, until recently), your brand of communism also does not really want radical change, in spite of what they may say. Words are not deeds. And, whatever the political leanings of the Italians I know, there is more ‘right-wing’ thinking than they would be comfortable for me to point out.

Or maybe it is just the Italians I know? Or maybe it is just the resignation of people who know that it cannot change?

There are exceptions, of course, I admit.

I agree that, in some instances it can be a good thing whilst in others it is not such a good thing.

But I tried to say, at the end, that my choice, weighing everything up, is that Italy is still wonderful and, if you choose to come here, be prepared to accept the conservatism – good or bad.

All the best