It seems I missed out on some interesting conversations last night.
My summarized input:
Ketchup was thought up by the devil to ruin anything delicious.
Italy is a very complex country that has been both idealized and negatively reduced way too much. It has beautiful, amazing, creative aspects; which makes it all the more frustrating that it can also be corrupt, inefficient, and, in many ways, antiquated. It’s also only been a unified country for not-that-long, so the different regions still have very unique identities, making it all the more fascinating. I don’t have a favorite, but I’m most familiar with center/north cultures, and within those, with the areas around Florence and Milan. Hating on them (by which I DON’T mean making thoughtful observations - they have plenty for which to be criticized) will make me side-eye you really hard, and possibly scream “THEM’S FIGHTING WORDS!” I’m also used to Argentine living, which has a lot in common with Italian living, so I don’t get quite as frustrated as someone who’s used to a more… practical? lifestyle.
I had my First Communion, because I asked my parents for it, because all my friends were doing it. I was not confirmed, and no one cared. This may be a Catholic country but most people don’t give too many fucks.
