I am researching and would like to know stories, experiences:
What are the biggest Do's and Don'ts you have encountered? Dating: Eating: Partying: Museums, Sight-seeing: Conversation with locals: Friendships: have you made any faux paus? Tell me here, or e-mail me at leriggs@gmail.com!! Lauren
Don'ts: No dating Italians!!! Do: Party hard! I love the night life in Florence Museums: they are expensive, like Uffizzi, but do go! Also check out the Science museum! Sometimes locals can be rude, but I think most are very kind and helpful to forgeingers Thats all I have right now!
Ok, Lauren, here is my list of DO's and DON'Ts for you. If it sounds a little like your mother giving you advice keep in mind I am probably old enough to ber her. Therefore my advice will probably differ greatly from that of your peers here.
DATING: DO take time to get to know someone and enjoy a dinner/show/dance, etc... with him. You may not meet your one true love but are you really looking for that anyway.....and hanging with just girlfriends can get old after a while. Enjoy the company of the handsome young men. DON'T fall into stereotypes about Italian men. They really are no different from the boys you've encountered back home.
EATING: DO make an effort to at least taste everything you can - even those things you might not think you'll like. Even something as simple as a tomato can taste different when it has had nothing but rain and Mediterranean sunshine to help it grow. DON'T think that for something to taste good it must be expensive. Some of my most memorable meals in Italy have been some of the least expensive.
PARTYING: DO use caution. Florence is a safe city compared to any urban city in America but that does not mean you should not exercise good sense. Enjoy your time away from home but remember that you can party anywhere on Earth. There is only one city quite like Firenze. Savor it. DON'T party to the point that you are looked upon as one of the "obnoxious Americans". Body language can say so much. I can pick out an American student in a pub long before I hear them speak. You are a guest in the city. Treat it with respect - even when you party.
MUSEUMS, SIGHT-SEEING: DO use every opportunity to take in something new. The inspiration of such a great portion of the world's art and culture can claim roots on the same streets you'll walk. DON'T assume that the only art worth seeing will be in museums and at the end of long lines. There will be art everywhere you take a second to look for it. Look up and you will see the beautiful old buildings and the wrought iron street lights. Look down and you'll notice that even the man-hole covers have the lovely florentine symbol on them. Look straight ahead and see the colorful people engaged in lively conversation - the street artists, etc.
CONVERSATIONS WITH LOCALS: DO try to speak whenever you can in Italian and don't worry about making mistakes. Italians are so happy when they feel you have at least tried to learn their language. DON'T expect that everyone will want to sit and chat the night away with you. Keep in mind that they are exposed to hoards of foreign students and tourists each and every day.
FRIENDSHIPS: DO be yourself and you will find making friends just as easy as you do at home. Some of my very best friends started out as strangers in strange lands. DON'T assume that you, as am American, are the only one to bring something to the relationship. You will meet new friends from all over the world and this will be your opportunity to broaden cultural horizons.