Expat Community > Italy

rkabruzzo
Joined 2008
Posts: 115

Moving to Italy: what to bring with you

15 years ago

this is just a silly little list for anyone who's interested, based on my experience as an american in living in Italy for 7 years now.

things you will not find here and may want to bring with you:
1. cilantro seeds, if you like asian food, you can grow your own cilantro
2. bbq sauce
3. good old baking powder (they have something similar here but it doesn't work the same in your american recipes)
4. molasses
5. vanilla extract (not an essential - again they have something similar but it's not quite the same)
6. ibuprofen, tylenol (paracetomol), aspirin. not because you can't find it here, but it costs 3 times as much or more here.
7. ziploc bags of all sizes. italians do not ziploc.
8. those disposable thermal heat packs for your sore muscles or cramps.
9. dried cranberries. you can even reconsitute these and make cranberry sauce at thanksgiving.
10. flavored coffee cream

I'll add more when I think of them.

Note.
contrary to what some other people have said on this forum, we do have mayonaise in Italy, and we have plenty of it and it is delicious. We do not have miracle whip, however, or crisco vegetable shortening.

Some tips for living here, especially if you are in a small town:
1. Realize that lots of things can be done without, lots of foods can actually be made by hand (e.g., pumpkin puree, coconut milk, curry paste, chicken broth... all things that US expats are used to finding in a can).
2. Learn how to drive like an italian. they are scary, but they are good drivers. They are defensive drivers (always looking out for possible danger), and they are offensive drivers (always creating a possible danger). Get used to it and don't cringe. Rules rarely apply.
3. Nothing can be accomplished in just one day. Do not make yourself a long to-do list and expect to get it all done in a day. You will find that bizarre shop hours, unexpected closures, long lines, total inefficency and just plain red tape will slow everything down and you will have to do some of it another day. You will not leave messages and have people call you back. You will call and call and call again until you finally find them. This will take up lots of your precious time.
4. Customer service has just recently become a concept in Italy. If your phone or internet gets cut off unexpectedly, don't expect a repair in less that 5 days, and don't ever expect a refund.
5. Get used to washing yourself without water in the summer, especially if you live in a tourist town by the beach. The hotels will get all your water every evening.
6. Doing laundry will take you 2 days instead of 2 hours.

There is lots to enjoy in Italy, but most things are not based on comfort, convenience, or service. It's another world.

Hope you enjoyed this.
Rachel

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Moving to Italy: what to bring with you

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