In my opinion Italy is the universal hub of pure and untainted culture. Traditions and customs spanning from the 100 year old process of making cheese to the gathering of thousands of fans to cheer on the country’s favorite sport demonstrate both how history permeates through the layers of time as well as the significance of everyday practices as vehicles for cultural communication.
So why do I cite Erica Jong’s quote referring to the “fatal charm” of Italy. The four simple words “permission to be human.” The culture in Italy is so raw and indulgent that sometimes it’s easy to become swept away in it. Food becomes an art form, time becomes irrelevant and relationships are more than just nuclear, they’re rich and overpoweringly intricate. This “permission to be human” indeed can be “fatal.” While sometimes we can allow ourselves to get lost in the romanticism of Italian culture, it is not meant for everyone. Sometimes I get frustrated with the slow paced lifestyle of many Italians or annoyed with the absence of certain foods on all of the menus in Rome, but at the same time this lifestyle has shown me the importance of taking time to focus and attend to basic human needs such as food, family and relaxation.