I am Italian with German roots, living in Sicily — which is, in itself, another cultural world altogether.
Over the years, I have tried to explain Italy, and Sicily in particular, to friends from across the globe.
Often, I do so through my posts, where daily life intertwines with Sicilian traditions and Italian quirks.
Recently, I came across a post on Facebook that captured an unspoken truth about Italy — and I thought it deserved to be shared with you.
- [Original FB post was in French]
Living in Italy means learning to breathe differently.
Not because life here is easy, but because, even in the midst of chaos, there is always a breath that makes you stay.
I remember the day I tried to change my doctor.
It sounds simple enough, does it not?
A glitch on the local health service website sent me to the office in person. There, I was told, “Not here.”
Then I was sent somewhere else. And then somewhere else again.
Three appointments, two different forms, one closed desk. I was ready to give up.
And then, at the third office, the lady looked at me. She could see I was at the end of my tether.
“Aspetti un attimo” — wait a moment — she said.
She took my file, made two phone calls, photocopied everything for me.
“Fatto” — done. She gave me a genuine smile.
And in that moment, I thought: all right. I am staying in Italy.
Of course, it is not always like that.
There are efficient services, smooth procedures, and competent people.
But more often, you come across rules that make no sense… and human, inventive, unexpected solutions.
That is the real charm of Italy: not a perfect system, but a gift for finding a way forward where elsewhere there would only be a wall.
And then there are the little things:
- The postman who greets you by name.
- The barista who serves your coffee without asking.
- Neighbours who bring you tomatoes from their garden.
- People who stop to talk — and keep talking.
Here, everything takes time.
But that time is full — full of faces, voices, and simple gestures.
That is why I live here: not because it is easier, but because it is more human.