we are daisy & ??, a couple of gal pals living abroad in rome, italy. we love to create content to share our experiences of life abroad, being queer, traveling, and whatever else feels nice and comfortable.
in case you're wondering about the profound origins of our username: siamo (italian) = we are gay = gay. in other words, non siamo etero.
Interesting that you say tourists are terrible but then complain that Italians are rude - could be connected?? New Yorkers are pretty rude too - could be all the tourists?? Transportation & Cost of living - have you lived anywhere but Rome? Rome is known to be expensive.
We are not rude, we are sincere: we do not make gratuitous smiles and then cut your clothes on you as soon as you turn away, but I understand that it is a matter of preference: many prefer to be fooled by false kind ways ...
without any malice towards you, but let me tell you that it sounds strange to hear an American call public transport in any other country disgusting, if we consider that the American one is the most disgusting in the world and most of the time non-existent., It's a bit paradoxical, don't you think?
Frank and succinct, saying it as you see it. Italy doesn't deserve a pleasant young person like yourself. (The majority of Italian voters cast their ballot for the neo-fascist government, if that doesn't say it all)
My grandparents were Italian. My grandfather was sooooo racist, even when living in Toronto. It came from his original cukture. I’ve been to Italy many times… they are racist! Simple. Regarding the privaledge of living somewhere… honestly … why do Americans or Canadians feel like they need to soften this feeling of living in a foreign country… it’s so weird. Like when their communities from around the world move to out countries… do they try and integrate? lol. They go to where their communities are and build their life with others that are the same as them typically. I say… just do you. Walk proudly through any country you are in… do what you want the same as they do when coming to our countries.. and just be you! Straight and simple. Who cares what anyone else thinks. If they are looking at you… or rude to you be rude back if that’s what you feel. If they look at me when I walk.. I walk proudly… and confidently… and spin around for them so they can look some more, I speak to them, they speak back. It’s all about conference in a different country. I have gotten into countless arguments and disagreements with people in Italy, and had also great conversations and a lot of love…in the end… honestly… just do you.. don’t try to fit in. I think when one tries to fit in this is where the issue is. If you do you and don’t try to fit in with confidence… I think they are curious about that… and soften. lol it’s reverse psychology.
I thought I was the only one. And I thought it was possibly because I am not white. But this confirms it. They are just rude, unfriendly people. I never want to come back here. All of the reviews and videos online I saw of people talking about Italy's supposed "amazing" people and food, really has me baffled.
Good to know! I’m moving to Milano next Wednesday so these things are good to think about beforehand. I mean my girlfriend lives in Italy already as an immigrant from a poor country and experiences racism and misogyny but I find it very helpful to hear from more people as well the things she’s said. I hope to find the best experiences of my life in this next chapter so I hope my exposure to this reality of Italy is not as prevalent as the problems I’m leaving behind in America. I know every place has it’s flaws, I just am like you said if I’m going to struggle, I would like to struggle where I can enjoy life more. Hopefully I find Italy to be more of an enjoyable place to live in comparison to America where I fear gun violence, the police, car accidents, bankruptcy, endless poverty, watching my life pass me working, working my body physically until I need medical attention, etc. I mean I’m privileged because I’m white and cis but being a gay woman in America is becoming more and more scary on top of the adversity every American already faces. Though I haven’t faced outward homophobia in some years, as laws change every year stripping us of protections in healthcare, education, and general legal protections I fear it empowers homophobic people to hate louder. I know that not everyone will understand why America for a gay white woman is scary or a threat to my success/fulfillment, but I hope if you do read this you can understand my moving to Italy is me trying to make a better life for myself. Anyways, that was truly long winded. Peace to you all ✨
As someone who has been living abroad for over half my life now I feel this deeply. I still have pangs of homesickness 25 years on, it hits at random moments now, no longer predictable. Change is inevitable, I think travel reduces the pain and makes it acceptable. Thank you for sharing.
I recently just got back from Italy and I was shocked. I had these certain expectations from what others have told me and none of them were true. What you are saying is correct. Italians do not like Americans. I got the cold shoulder from many Italians. I thought it was in my head, but no. The only people I found who were nice in Italy were the Americans lol. Yes, there is trash everywhere and the Amalfi coast is over crowded, over priced and the people are extremely rude and self centered. I will never go back.
The racism you speak of is mostly anger from Italians toward their government for not taking control of illegal migration from n. africa... i'd say the Italians have a good reason to be pissed and that is regardless of what skin color the illegal migranst are.
Hoping my comment will age well, you can see from the comments that Italians are not rude and actually agree with you on many of your points :) I would like to say a few things in our defence: sometimes you may think someone is being rude while it's just a matter of language barrier. Italy is not just Rome, each city and region is going to be different, so maybe this video should be about Romans you've met ahah! Rude Italians are as rude with other Italians as well, it's not because of racism. Yes, some Italians are racist but most are not: consider how many are not, how many left Italy, how many resources and people we employ to literally save the lives of a continuous stream of migrants coming our way (more than any other country probably), and this is also why some Italians are racist, they are mostly angry and ignorant. While America built a wall, I wouldn't say America as a society is racist, and by the way I believe there are countries in Europe that are far more racist than Italy. Also, during the 90's and early 2000's we had people coming from the balkans and most of them are living and working in Italy. Today we have lots of problems ourselves with the quality of life and job situation, and that's obviously going to be the same for migrants coming here, so it's pretty much impossible to help them more than we are already doing. Regarding food, Rome is full of other types of cuisines so I'm not sure why you felt like that, but certainly is not as full as other countries (which is both good and bad), and outside of the main cities it's sooo much worse! I struggle so much with that, in my region it's impossible to find Indian and Vietnamese food, which is totally normal in other countries. Regarding misogyny, our current president is a woman and I wouldn't say we are more misogynistic than others, but I can definitely see that at times, in the end I think it also depends, and our MAMMA's are our whole world! :D Cost of living and low salaries, that's true everywhere in Italy. Public transportation? We hate it! In conclusion, I'm sorry for your experience and I hope you will also visit the rest of Italy! I always say, if you know a couple of Italian words and come here for vacation, amazing! Living here is a totally different story and I can definitely see myself living elsewhere. Regarding your video, thank you and I appreciate your respect and everyone should be free to talk politely and objectively of their own experiences! Edit: it didn't age well, I'm reading some ignorant Italian comments. Sad.
Qualcuno aveva voglia di qualche like... Non mi vergogno assolutamente di dire che questo video è pieno di cagate formidabili. E me ne strasbatto completamente di chi verrà a dirmi che sono solo il classico italiano risentito. Io in un posto che non mi piace NON CI VIVO, meno che mai se non è nemmeno il posto in cui sono nato. It's just as simple as that.
Lei ha elencato molto educatamente le cose che non apprezza dell'Italia e quella che è la sua esperienza, non che non ci siano invece tantissime altre cose che ami dell'Italia. E' totalmente normale e corretto che parli delle proprie esperienze. Se i punti che elenca non rispecchiano in gran parte la nostra Italia, vivi in un'Italia immaginaria! E soprattutto questo è il suo punto di vista, di lei che viene da fuori, ovvio che certe cose le vivi diversamente da lei essendo italiano, ma per una persona che non parla italiano magari è tutto diverso!
Racism also exists in Italy, but it is different than in the USA, it is more of a cultural racism than one based on race. This is particularly the case of southern Italy. Another difference is between rural and urban areas, in the USA racism is stronger in rural areas, in Italy it is the opposite (southern Italy). In the small villages in Italy nobody cares whether someone is black, white, green or yellow, the important thing is to respect the traditions of the respective villages and to help shape them, then you are part of the family. Then you have to distinguish between northern and southern Italy. Even if the southern Italians are actually more conservative, they are more pragmatic towards foreigners than in the north. South of Rome, however, you will hardly find any restaurants that are not Italian. Tradition is a big thing in Italy, especially in the south.
So, Italy is Worst Place in the World… for you… That’s a Superficial opinion… È irrispettoso parlare di Italia e Italiani in questo modo. Non hai sufficiente esperienza per definire il popolo Italiano. Lo stai descrivendo con pregiudizio e stereotipi… premettendo: “No, ma non vorrei che vi offendiate! È la mia opinione…” e poi… sei tu che diventi rude… Eterno o non eterno che tu sia…. Non concordo… su tutta la linea… e intendo anche sugli altri argomenti… Gli Stati Uniti, sono casa tua… ci sono dei posti con dei bei paesaggi… no? Ci sono anche altri Paesi Europei… escludi l’Italia che non ti piace, e divertiti…
