Many different things come to mind when you think of the word leisure. Relaxing and free time takes different forms in any country yet they all have their similarities. You can see things about culture through the main leisure activities.
We are similar in the fact that we both love sports, but are passionate about different sports. For example Italians love soccer they bleed soccer and most live for soccer. When we went to the Roma soccer game I was able to make so many connects by comparing it to the Browns games i go to with my dad. The energy in the stautium was incredible. Americans love football, basketball and baseball and most families love and/or play all three. Being able to come together to support our local teams is something we have in common with Itaians.
One thing i noticed that even thoigh it hasnt been consistently warm in Rome i haven't seen anyone having outside picnics or barbecues. For Americans things like that are so important to bond when we have a holiday or just a warmer day to invite people over and spend time together enjoying nature. I've notices Italians gather for meals but it is always in a resturant because of the small size of their houses.
Also there are many daily rituals which Itaians take as leisure everyday that most Americans don't do. For example stopping for an espresso four times a day or having shops close in all the small towns for four hours at a time for a siesta. While i know other spanish speaking countries take siesta as well during the day, there are many things that could also contribute to their overly leisure lifestyle. Barzini states "Those men conduct their affairs well who keep in front of their eyes their own private interest and measure all their actions according to its neccessities," to me this seems that they only want to do what is best and neccessary for them. For example cramming people father and father into a bus to go one stop after the one you just got on.
While I have learned many things from their culture, you can see a definate difference between the two through leisure. By being able to live their lifesyle it has given me the ability to see it firat hand.
Ciao Cory,
ReplyDeleteGood idea bringing up the Roma soccer game. I think there was an opportunity to bring up other old activities, e.g. the Baths. A discussion of the history of leisure through the baths would have made the blog stronger. Also, need to incorporate Smiles, e.g. the gardens essay by Wharton. You could have discussed your own experiences in Borghese Gardens. You have been there twice now, and you got to ride a bike there. Bring all your experiences into the discussion.
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