Foreign relatives in a poorer area - will they expect money from an American relative?

Question

I have some relatives living in a small town in southern Italy whom I've never met before. Do you think they will expect a handout/donation from me if I contact them?

I've heard from one source that this may be the case, so this person doesn't contact their relatives living in Italy for that reason.

Your opinion please.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Excuse me, everybody: what ARE you talking about?? I can assure the Questioner and the people who answered that the lady's relatives will NOT be expecting  handouts! And I would strongly advise her not to try and refund them for any expenses they will incur while she is their guest. You just do NOT do that. The proper behavior would be to bring some small gifts for the children of the house, and the ladies.

People of the south of Italy are warm, welcoming, consider family the most important thing, and will probably go out of their way to make you feel at home and will most likely prepare a sumptious meal in you honour. Of course, this is a generalization, as I don't know the Questioners relatives specifically, but I am 99% sure that is how her visit will be.

Edit:

Kris: it is also a commom stereotype to see Italy and Italians as the cute little ignorant, poor, village types. Women dressed in black all their lives, with kercheifs on their heads, and the men with their basks, waiting for the RICH american relatives to drive into the village square in their cadillacs and flowered shirts... Get my gist?

We are in the year 2007, not 1946.

Answer 2

Italy is not a poor country, and I don't think they expect some money from american relatives.

Answer 3

You can contact these relatives without feeling obligated to send them money.If you are planning to visit them you should mention that you would like to re-imburse them for expenses.

Answer 4

I have relatives in Sicily  and have never been asked for money during my many stays with them.  I would never dream of insulting them in that way.  I usually bring small gifts for everyone (cologne, small crystal items, makeup, etc).  Southern Italians are very family oriented, warm and welcoming and will literally give you the shirt off their back to make you feel at home.  By offering them money during your stay will only serve to insult them.  Please do not let the opinion of an uniformed person influence your decision not to met your family in Italy.  You will miss out no only on meeting them but traveling to probably the most beautiful country in the world.

Answer 5

Do not let that stop you as that the worst case as the average family in italy makes an equivalent of $30,200 (2006 est.)  compared to our $44,000 so there not that bad off any more these days

So don't be like my friend who was from china as she lived on a very primitive farm but won the money to come to America to attend school so she was here for 6 years in school sending back any extra money she earned to her parents and finally she had the opportunity to visit and see them again and when she did they were living in a new 4 bedroom apt with a plasma TV in the living room along with a new car in the drive way

well lets say she never sent them another dime so it can happen just be smart enough not to let it happen to you

however if it a truly  poor country it a nice thing to send them a small amont once in a while,

Just rember if 50-100 dollars woud not seriously improve there life and make them be truly happy  then there not that poor

Answer 6

I think that you should contact them, as, if one of your relatives won the lottery jackpot & didn't get in touch with you for fear that you would want their money, you wouldn't be happy they thought of you like that

Answer 7

I dont think they will want money from you but I would bring a little something to give them from the states. Its an Italtian thing to give wine but get something from where you are from to repesent that. Many Italians think of american as being rich but they are find out from the ones that live here that we are not and since the exchange rate is getting so bad there are less americans coming over here and spending money.

Answer 8

it is not the norm!!!! at all! unbelieveble...

maybe they think YOU want something, and so they don't contact you!

Answer 9

Italy is not a poor country...do some research!

Answer 10

They may or they may not, but it is up to you, not their expectations.