Italian regional personality?

Question

I know we cannot categorise personality or culture, but I read from a book that each region has a different mentality in culture in Italy. I am interested in the ones like Abruzzo and Puglia. But does anyone know any cultural difference or any particular customs from Italy? Or any reference books? (including stereotype)

Answer 1

I am an Irishman (unfortunately back) in Italy for almost 6 years now, with my Italian wife of 24 years. I speak Italian fluently.

Italy is very beautiful, and a very nice place for a two week break. The food is very good (though not as great as people will tell you it is...authentic Chinese is infinitely better; we lived in China for 2 and a half years, MUCH nicer people than Italians), and the architecture/art spectacular.

But, for positive things, I would stop there.

The rest really is a collection of idiotic superfluities, egotistical hedonism, shallow thinking, the most expensive yet weakest education system in Europe (I am a teacher in a University here, and I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that Italians would beat hands down any contest to find the most politically ignorant people in the Western world), there are endless 44-year-old Mommy's boys everywhere, it's absolutely FILTHY here (rubbish everywhere...the landscape is used as a tipping ground for anything and everything), sacred and globally important buildings have 'Loredana, you're a f**king w***e' sprayed in big letters on the side of them, people spontaneously step off the kerb in front of you as you are driving and then shout at you for not stopping, politicians are particularly and spectacularly corrupt, the legal system is a joke (except, it's just not funny), Italians are xenophobic **in the extreme** (as a tourist you will not see this...they just want your money, and being all smiley and nice nice will work in getting it out of your hand to theirs, but as you walk away thinking 'What nice people', you don't hear/understand that they are calling you 'a damned idiot', everyone wants to rip you off as soon as they hear that you are not a native Italian), nobody knows how to say please or thank you, and try changing $20 to Euro...even in big cities you will NOT find a place that will do it for you without taking 50% in commission.

In short, a nation with no future.

Answer 2

It is true that different parts of Italy have different personalities.

The reason is, Italy has been re-united just in 1860, before that it was a patchwork of small states usually under the influence of a foreign power.

Southern Italy was under Spain's control, north-western Italy was under french influence, and north-easter Italy was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Central Italy was ieither in the Papal State, or was divided in small city-states continuosly in war between each other or against the neighboring states.

This divided history caused many differences in language, culture, and food.

Sicily and Sardinia are also islands and for this geografic reason, their culture is even more distinct than the mainlands'.

You're asking about Abruzzo and Puglia.

Abruzzo is a hilly/mountain part of Italy, while Puglia has large, fertile plains. This caused differnces in the economy: while in Abruzzo shepardy was one of the main sources of income, in Puglia it's always been agriculture. Puglia is also much hotter, and has had influences from Greece and Albania which are both very close. I have friends from both regions, people from Puglia have a distinct accent and are very friendly and hospitable. People from Abruzzo tend to be a little more conservative but become also very friendly once you get to know them.

This are just few of the differences. I doubt you'll find a book that covers all of them though. Every region has its flavour and its magic!

Answer 3

Nice to see that J_Smith is truly enjoying his special time in Italy. Perhaps he should move... also, he is out of subject... I guess university professors have that liberty. :)

As for stereotyping the italian regional characteristics, I am not aware of any book formally describing it. Remember that Italy as a country exist only since about 150 yrs, that is really short - until 1860 it was divided in different chunks politically, some affiliated with France - such as Piedmont, some with Austria such as Lombardy, some occupied by Spain (southern Italy), and others under local rule (Rome, Tuscany, Venice area). This fostered separate languages, traditions, cultures, arts, cuisines that are hard to compare.

Talking about Abbruzzo and Puglia, I don't think characteristics will be dramatically different. Similar culture and geographically close, similar climate...

To understand more, I suggest a history book. that will help not only to see how different people are, but also to understand why.

Answer 4

Check out the book "The Dark Heart of Italy"-it address some of the societal norms in Italy, and the reasons why.  Generally the south is more laid back than the north of Italy.  do you want more specifics?