When my sister had a schooling in Italy she and her companions were culture-shocked at first. Then later become familiarized with the Italians way of life. She found these Italians more family oriented as well as too much devoted to Catholicism. Not that we're also Catholic but somehow their faith is strikingly rich. Italians are fun-loving people, romantic and their love for the arts especially the performing arts, the circus and pompous glamour in their lifestyle is more focused. They are shopaholics just like the rest of the Filipinas.
One time, their group were invited to dine with their landlady. The landlady lavishly prepared so much food on the table. It was like being in an Olive restaurant. Appetizer was served first. There's different variety of cheese and red wine. Too many plates of food coupled with plates and serving plates, bowl of soup, sauce of different kinds: marinara, alfredo and big platter of chunky meat balls, chicken and beef, etc. Sometimes my sister thought they wont be able to get out from the table because the servings never stop until close to midnight. That's how they treat their visitors in an Italian home. Guests are greeted at the entrance with kiss on both cheeks and kisses on both cheeks, to the left and to the right cheeks before going home. Funny!
She also found out that their store hours varied differently from the rest of the commercial establishments here. Their stores open up at 8am then closed at lunchtime. Weird eh? That's because they have siesta. They have nap time schedule.They open their stores and resume to work at 4pm until midnight. It 's at night time the merrymaking is alive and the hustle and buzzle the Italian way is happening at the speed of bullet train. Too many tourists that's why. Too many people who are not stingy and cheapskate.
Oh by the way, a big sack of potatoes in the market only cost about $1.00 and that lasted for more than 2 months. They should have them fermented to make vodka. LOL! Why not? I was able to make wine from banana. That was in High School (Experiment in Chemistry).
One time they were browsing on some leafy vegetables in one of the stalls in the wet market. Her friend-classmate asked for a discount. The vendor tagged her right away, "You must be a Filipina! " At school, she was able to meet other nationalities whose also interested in the textile industry. Is there any textile factory in Canada? I guess only in Quebec.
My sister learned the Italian language with much ease because it is closely similar to the Spanish language. Besides, after coming back home from Italy she was able to communicate with their Landlady in Italian version.
