9 things you can learn from an Italian woman
1. Life is fun, all day long
You walk with your phone wedged between your shoulder and your cheek, cursing under your breath and searching for your keys while spilling your smoothie on your white pants; the Italians celebrate the moment. It starts in the morning. You walk to work if you can, even if it's just for half an hour. Wearing flat Tod's shoes, grab a coffee at your favorite café and then keep walking. Better than squeezing yourself through traffic while cursing in your car. Adapt. And oh yes, no one looks at you weird if you order a caffè corretto, so with a splash of liqueur in your coffee. Not even in the morning. Italians find it completely normal. Being drunk is a no-go, but a sip here and there, no one has a problem with that. After work, you cook, eat, and walk extensively. Maybe you change your clothes once more. You not only seize the day, you celebrate every hour.
2. What about putting kids to bed at 7:30 PM
Aren't you just limiting yourself? You have to arrange a babysitter again and that doesn't work out. Just take those kids with you. If they're tired, they'll fall asleep for sure. Even next to that little fountain in the stroller. Just carry them to bed later.
3. Have an extensive lunch
Everything included, then you have the rest of the day to digest it. In the evening, you opt for a fish or some grilled vegetables and you're still completely okay. Don't overthink your figure. Enjoy what you eat, but do it in moderation. Most Italian women I know do go to the gym every workday.
4. Work full-time
Or be a full-time mother. They don't know half-half in Italy. Here you find the argumentation why you don't have to feel guilty if you work full-time. That's why they also have the highest percentage of women in top positions (while we are at the bottom of the list, ai ai). Now it must be said that there is always a mother or mother-in-law (or babysitter) who looks after the kids and that daycare centers there are many times cheaper, so they (yes, they) should do something about that in the Netherlands. Especially about those daycare centers. They are just ridiculously and absurdly expensive.
5. Take your time for food
Have you ever seen an Italian eating a sandwich while walking? Well then. Sit down and enjoy. With a small glass. Or a Crodino if you don't want alcohol. But celebrate the moment.
6. You can be a bit strict with those kids
I sometimes find the French a bit too much with a slap left and a tap right, but the Italians have just a bit more control than we do with our left-leaning pedagogically responsible nonsense. Sometimes a child is just annoying. And sometimes you can be a bit strict. #thatwilllearn #justkidding #butbeingabitsrictisokay
7. Wear sunglasses
You make a fashion statement anyway, it helps against wrinkles (because you don't squint), you don't have to do your eyes, you don't see your bags (because you were out late by that fountain in the square last night) and you might (emphasis on ‘might’) consider keeping the rest of your look understated because the sunglasses are already such a statement. But of course, we don't do that. That ‘understated’.
8. Enjoy a vacation in your own country
If far isn't necessarily better, why not look for something nearby? Rent a house in the town next door. You have the best sea, the tastiest food, the nicest clothes, and with the money you save on your tickets, you buy a new pair of sunglasses.
9. Feed your love
The love of your partner goes through the belly (by the way, did you know that you have better sex with men with a belly? But that's beside the point) and through the pants (yes, sorry). So make sure to provide delicious food. Or let your (mother-in-law) cook and pretend you made it.
Anyway, viva Italia. If you have any additions, I’d love to hear them.
