Is anyone from or related to /know somebody from Italy?

Question

I would like to know how you or this person's cultural heritage has affected their life living in America? Where do they work, and how does their Italian heritage affect them and make you see them as a role model?

Answer 1

Being an Italian from Sicily, Italy I've had to go under some tough conditions moving here to America. The hardest was learning English. The English language is on e of the most difficult of all languages to learn. I must tell you I spent years learning it from both school and on my own time, but I finally got the hang of it.

The next was getting a passport. In Italy you pretty much have to beg to get a passport. They excpect you to stand in line for hours on end, fill out a long application giving you personally information, make you give them your ID card, and know at least five sentences from the country that you r traveling to. That I must tell you is not an easy thin for most people to do.

When I finally reached America I had to do pretty much the same exact thing except fot the language part. Then I had to take a whole other plane to get from New York City to Denver, Colorado. I had to unpack all my luggage and move into my room.

I still have to buy my own car that I can get around in and drive around the city in.

I still have to take a written test on America's history in order for me to become a full US citizen. Until then I'm a resident alien.

I had to take the critisism of people calling me things like Mexican or beaner.

It took me a few weeks to make any friends that liked me for who I was. People in America can be so selfish, I tell you.

That's pretty much it. Everything I told you was from past expirence. I hope I helped you understand some difficulties of moving from one country to another one. It's difficult if you don't have the education or willingness to go through the hard work.

Answer 2

I am full Italian/Sicilian and have relatives in Sicily.I have been to Italy three times. I have an Italian relative living in San Diego. It has affected their life in a very good way. He seems to really love America and our way of life. For some reason, Europeans love America...and Americans always want to go to Europe. He learned English before coming to America, so his work is no problem. He seems to fit right in, and he also said San Diego has a huge Italian Club, so he joined that so that he can talk with other Italians, which probably makes him feel more comfortable. I do see him as a role model, because he made a HUGE life change, and wasn't afraid to make a drastic change in his life. He is a very positive person.

Answer 3

I am Italian by birth and live in Canada.

I found the two realities very different from each other, I will never lose or give up my roots.

Living in Canada and born elsewhere allows me to understand and compare the two countries because the part of life spent in Italy is part of my past and heritage.

Answer 4

I am an Italian-American; my grand parents were born in Italy, my father, here. We have always followed the Italian holiday traditions, as do my children for the most part. Italians are prowd of their heritage, customs and traditions. They are hard workers with a strong work ethic. I have seen this in my family.

Answer 5

My husband of 35 years was born in Northern Italy. He left home at 17 and went to hotel/restaurant school in Europe and then went on to work as a waiter on several cruise ships for about 9 years.  This is when he learned English, French, a little German, Spanish.  He also worked briefly in England, France, and Germany.  When we got married, in 1974, he worked in a Hilton Hotel restaurant for about 18 years and is currently working in the same industry as a waiter at the 2nd most desirable Country Club in the country.  His family, back in Italy were always in the restaurant and hotel business.(as owners)  I believe that he is a very good role model because he is a very hard worker with strong work ethics, unlike many young people(not all) in the US today.  He has been a devoted father, also. Our sons are 26 1/2 and 30 years old.  as being a native to Michigan, myself,  I always hear from my friends that my hubby is very hard to understand, especially on the phone.  He sure hasn't lost any of his accent over the many years.  Of course, I don't hear is as much because I/m used to it.  His grammer, handwriting, and pronounciation aren't that great, but neither is mine.. He would NEVER go back to Italy to live.  Hasn't even went back for a visit for over 20 years.  Although Michigan is in really bad shape right now, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else.  Our oldest son owns a very successful snow plowing business here and now our youngest son also works at a different coutry club in our area.

Answer 6

look, i live in italy and many of my amarican friends have italian heritage and we treat them no different excapt we always ask them what stuff means

Answer 7

First, Rauol  I am sorry that you have had a difficult time adjusting to the American way of life. I wouldn't pay too much attention  to those ignorant people have made fun of you. Hold your head up high.  Yes, I know that the change is difficult, but you'll succeed . Don't give up!

I have family in Italy. I have been there many times.  The life there is much different than  life is here. My cousin's husband's parents are from Italy. The came here over 30 years ago. They adjusted to the cultural differences very well.

I look to my cousin's  husband's parents as great role models. They  left Italy to make a better life for themselves back in the 60's. They lived in France and Argentina as well before arriving here.

You will get a lot of different responses about everyone's experiences.  I hope you take everything into account  regarding the period in which the people left Italy   and their reasons.