Living life Italian way in Gaeta

Here too like everywhere in Italy it is very important to look good and eat well. Nevertheless, this is only one side of the coin of the Italian different life-style and life philosophy. Despite the main aim is to live well and to the full, not everything is ‘rose e fiori’ (means roses and flowers). Maintaining a good quality of life is relatively easy when there is a high income, but it becomes much more difficult without. Unemployment in the South stands well over 13%, four times over that of many regions in the North.

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    Coffee shop near the port

And yet, in spite of the differences in infrastructures, economy and lower standard of living, the South boasts a beauty, climate and quality of life that is not easily measurable by any type of government statistics. Italians here have their own way to maintain a great lifestyle even when the economy is not so healthy and times are tight. The Italians’ secret is as simple. They enjoying the simple things life has to offer a concept that is quickly fading away in today’s faster society; that means family, food, sunshine and the company of friends, old and new.

Staying in Gaeta is essential to appreciate and understand the Italian concept of well being and will give you plenty of opportunities to mingle with the locals and see their customs, traditions, and everyday behavior. Gaeta’s people are quite friendly, always helpful, and extremely generous. Also, they love life and live it to the fullest. The ‘Gaetani’ are understanding and welcoming. Unlike other tourist destinations where the people seems so keen and interested in selling you something, here the people keeps quite and busy doing their own things with the patience of other times long gone by.

Shop-keepers will not try to entice you into their shop. In Gaeta, if you need to go into a shop and ask a question, they will try politely to answer as best they can in a picturesque language of Italian phrases, mimic and gestures as only the Italians can do. The Italian way of talking over one another is not exception here but rather a non-written rule. However, it is not about being impolite, but rather a passionate manifestation of enthusiasm for the topic being discussed. The simplest way is not sitting back and wait to be asked your view as this is not likely to happen. Chip in at the right moment when you have something to say and get accustomed to it.

At the same time the Italians’ concept of personal space is very different and much more limited than that of a British or American, especially here in the South. If you back off to create more space between you and them they will think you do not want anything to do with them and that you do not like what they are trying to communicate. Do not flinch when they touch you arm or give you a hug. They are just trying to communicate with you being polite and tell you that they like you. This is even clearer when Italians deal with children.