Life in Italy. Pros and cons of living in sunny Italy: how do Russian immigrants feel in this country? How ordinary people live in Rome

envious

You are lucky, you now live in Europe! I broke out of this Russia - these are the words that I or other people who have left to live in another country have to hear. And people are sincerely offended and do not believe when I tell them: "You are the lucky ones, because you live in Russia."
We, Russians of the post-Soviet period, have some strange and abnormal admiration for the West: they say that the grass is greener there, and cows are better, and social policy. And in general, an earthly paradise, which literally falls on everyone. This may be the case if you move from poverty or some remote village. But for those who had a normal job in Russia, a house, a lot of friends and all the benefits of civilization, life in Italy is another test.
Let's compare life in Russia and life in Italy for the sake of interest.
Advantages of living in Italy:
1. Life without visas. Indeed, you can travel to all EU countries without visas - simply by presenting a residence permit. Thanks to discount companies, you can find cheap tickets and fly anywhere. BUT! All this if you have money to travel.
2. Historical context. In Italy, wherever you spit, you will find yourself in a valuable historical object. Castles and palaces are pleasing to the eye, there is something to see and something to show guests. The beauty of strange towns warms the soul and uplifts the mood.
3. Politeness. Italians are polite: they will greet you, try to help, say “thank you” and “please”, smile, talk about the weather. Just not the fact that they really love you so much: just politeness is a kind of social mask.
4. No stress. This is what Russians do not want to return to Russia for - even if Italian life doesn't work out at all. Here they don’t cut you off on the roads, they don’t be rude in stores and they don’t curse you, even if you’re wrong.
That and all the pluses that came to my mind. Not much, right? And now for the cons:
1. Status . In Italy you are nobody. Your education is not quoted, your previous work experience does not bother anyone. Even if you speak excellent Italian, employers can always reproach you with a Russian accent, and in the supermarket you can hear “come in large numbers” behind your back. In the migration service and the commune, you are nobody, and even if you are right, nobody cares.
2. Job. When people talk about unemployment in Italy, this is not for the sake of a “red word”. According to official figures, the unemployment rate in Italy was 12% (for comparison, in Russia 5.7%). But in practice, things are much worse: the unemployment rate is skyrocketing, especially among young people. In Russia, if you wish, you can always find a place for a waiter or a seller in a store. Let it be 10,000 rubles, but you can. In Italy, about 100 applicants apply for the position of a seller or a waiter for a salary of 500 euros. If this is not a tourist area, Italians are hired first.
3. Service . There is no service in Italy. In the sense that in our city (large enough) there is only one pharmacy working around the clock. Shops are closed for half a day during the week and on weekends. Restaurants are open only from 12 to 14 and from 19 to closing. During the day, the kitchen is closed and you can’t eat anywhere at 15.00. The bread shop is open only in the morning, as is the butcher shop and the fish shop. The break is usually from 13 to 16-16.30. Cinemas are open from 18.00.
4. Social Security . We, foreigners, will not see either a pension (which will come here for women at 60, and for men at 66), or benefits. To buy medicine (more or less effective) you need to go to the doctor for a prescription, to get an appointment with a specialist, you need to take a coupon (sometimes you can wait in line for six months), even if you want for a fee (about 100-150 euros per appointment), not always There are empty seats. The unemployed have no benefits (the companies that provide for this have benefits. For example, my husband does not have any benefits in the bank), especially if you did not work anywhere. Maternity leave 5 months. After that, you can sit with a child for a year, but on such a penny that mothers leave after 3 months. After giving birth, the contract with you may not be renewed.
This is just a small number that came to my mind. Of course, all this is also in Russia. But do not forget that at home you are at home, you are a citizen, your previous achievements, diplomas, rights are quoted. And the climate, vegetables and fruits? For us Krasnodar residents, the Italian climate is similar to the Kuban one. And we have no less vegetables and fruits.
So it's not so sweet for us here in Italy. However, everywhere is good, where we are not ...

Italy is the only country that is at the same time the stronghold of Western Christianity, the cradle of world culture and the defender of European values. The contribution of this state to the development of the modern European community can hardly be overestimated if we recall only the power of the Roman Empire or the Renaissance. lucky geographical position, mild climate, the socio-economic status of the country and the mentality of the population - all this creates a constant influx of migrants to Italy. How is the life of a Russian migrant different?

Italy: national identity and standard of living of the country

Level of socio-economic development

The socio-economic situation of the country is one of the most stable in Europe and is approximately on the same level with France and Spain. The indigenous population is 58 million and tends to age. But despite the difficult demographic situation, the life expectancy of the country's citizens is one of the highest in Europe, perhaps due to the famous Mediterranean cuisine. AT economic sphere In Italy, the agricultural direction is successfully developing: growing hard varieties wheat, rice, tomato, olives and other crops. But the engineering industry has become truly world-famous, as evidenced by car brands such as Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Maserati and Ferrari.

Italy is committed to the development of the economy in many directions, which is confirmed by the country's confident position in the processing of gold, the cultivation of cotton, the development of electronic and machine-tool manufacturing sectors.

Life of Italians: features, pros and cons

The standard of living of the average family

The level of annual income of an ordinary family, with two working members, reaches 30,000 euros, which is a worthy indicator for Europe. Most Italian families rent housing, paying about 500 euros per month, but in a large metropolis this figure can rise to 1 thousand. In addition to renting housing, it is also necessary to calculate the monthly expenses for housing and communal services: house maintenance, cleaning, garbage disposal, etc. e. The average salary of an Italian is around 1,200 euros per month.

An interesting fact for a Russian may be the mandatory payment of a tax for an existing TV or radio in the amount of 110 euros per year.

Medical services

One of Italy's important social achievements is free healthcare. At the same time, the level of service and treatment has very high marks, which is ensured by control by the Government. There are paid medicines and diagnostic measures in the country, but they are quite few. If the Italian needs the help of a dentist, then he still has to pay for this type of service. About 1 thousand euros a year the family spends on a dentist. It is worth noting that if Italians want to receive ambulance services, they turn to private clinics to provide an increased quality of treatment. Routine GP follow-up or treatment chronic diseases limited to public hospital services.

Food and daily household goods

According to rough estimates, the average monthly cost of Italian food reaches 165 euros. This figure is quite modest in comparison with other European countries. A resident spends about 40 euros per month on the purchase of various household and detergents, linens, plumbing repairs, etc.

clothing

A family of three will have to spend at least 1,560 euros a year to purchase clothes and shoes. These costs are not the most democratic price indicator relative to other countries.

Pension and social security

The pension of Italians is cumulative in nature, that is, it is directly dependent on the amount of wages and, accordingly, deductions sent to Pension Fund. Given the difficult economic situation, ensuring a decent standard of living for older people is a difficult task. Even government assistance cannot resolve all the contradictions in this matter. Due to the fact that in the country there are three pensioners per working Italian, the political leadership adopted a legislative decision on pension quotas. If men have to make the corresponding payments for 42 years and 7 months, then women - 41 years and 7 months. There are fines in the country for those who decide ahead of time go on vacation. As a rule, residents reach retirement age by the age of 66.

It is also worth knowing that the pensions of Italians working in various areas of life differ significantly:

• an ordinary employee of the organization paying quotas receives full support;
• a person who worked as a farmer, craftsman or individual entrepreneur receives an old-age pension;
• a resident who did not have a permanent job can receive a social pension, the amount of which does not exceed 1/3 of the usual one;
• there are also certain funds that pay pensions to certain groups of citizens (for example, the housewives fund).

We, foreigners, will not see either a pension (which will come here for women at 60, and for men at 66), or benefits. To buy medicine (more or less effective), you need to go to the doctor for a prescription; there are always empty seats. The unemployed do not have benefits (the companies that provide for this do have benefits. For example, my husband does not have any benefits in the bank), especially if you did not work anywhere. Maternity leave 5 months. After that, you can sit with a child for a year, but on such a penny that mothers leave after 3 months. After giving birth, the contract with you may not be renewed.

Natalia Goberti

Education system

Education for migrants in Italy is quite a challenge. Admission to a general education institution is available only for citizens of the country, while Russians have the right to receive educational services only in private educational institutions or special schools for children of migrants.

Requirements for foreigners to enroll in the university are also significantly higher than for natives. If an Italian is required to pass only one exam in his native language, then a foreign applicant must provide a document confirming the completion of high school and 2 courses of a Russian institute. In addition, the migrant will have to pass a special test for knowledge of the Italian language. The final decision on the admission of a student to an Italian university is made by the leadership of the educational institution.

Higher education in the country is provided free of charge, but a remarkable fact is that each student is required to make an annual contribution of 500 to 4 thousand euros. The amount of payments depends on the status of the educational institution.

National composition and adaptation of migrants in Italy

AT last years in Italy, as in the entire European Union, the most acute issue is not ordinary migrants who prepare packages of documents for entry into the country and live according to its laws, but refugees. According to official information from Italian experts, 153,842 people arrived in the country during 2015. This number of foreign arrivals is 9% less than in 2014 (170,100). The national composition of migrants is represented by the following groups:

• 7,444 Syrians,
• 38612 citizens of Eritrea,
• over 12,000 Somalis,
• about 22,000 Nigerians.

At the same time, in 2015, compared to the previous year, there was a jump in asylum requests (about 84,000) by 32%. According to Deputy Interior Minister Domenico Manzione, more than half of those who apply do not meet the requirements for refugee status and should be deported from the country. Such a response from the official authorities, which in 2015 spent about 1 billion 160 million euros on the reception and accommodation of migrants and refugees, indicates an unwillingness to shoulder all the problems of the European Union.

Russians in Italy: prospects and main questions

Table: comparison of life in Russia and Italy

Russian community in Italy

Despite the fact that Italy is quite popular among compatriots, this fact did not affect the number of our migrants in the country. Few have decided to emigrate from Russia. The number of Russians in Italy is much less than representatives of other nationalities, and is approximately 135 thousand people. The relatively small number of our migrants in this European state is explained by the economic and social structure of Italy, which makes it difficult for foreigners to fully integrate professionally. The country, which experienced several “migration waves” after the First World War, tried to legally secure its citizens and their well-being by putting up barriers for foreigners to receive education, work or social benefits.

The Russian diaspora does not exist. Nevertheless, established Russian communities function in Italy, the largest of which settled in Milan and Turin. The Association of Russian Compatriots (Milan), founded in 1979, is the oldest entity, which during the Soviet Union was practically the only channel for cultural exchange. At present, this community in every possible way contributes to the integration of our compatriots into the socio-cultural environment of Italians. Another influential association of Russians called Zemlyachestvo has been operating in Turin for over 30 years. It is worth noting that this community is not limited to helping our compatriots adapt, but also acts as a link between Russians and the government of Italy, the Consulate General of the Russian Federation (Milan).

In other cities of Italy there are also Russian organizations: Venice - the April association, Abruzzi - Abrus, Rome - the Union of Russian Compatriots, Bari - the center of Russian culture. The role of these communities is not limited to only helping to integrate our fellow countrymen into a foreign environment, but also helps to preserve national identity and traditions. The next generations of our migrants, with the help of regular Russian language courses and seminars, get an idea of ​​their historical homeland and maintain a cultural connection with it.

Rating of the most prosperous Italian cities for living

Late 2015 research published by Sole 24 Ore confirms the higher status of cities closer to the north of the country. The analysis of settlements was carried out according to such criteria as the standard of living, the development of the labor market and business, the quality of housing services, municipal programs, cultural events and environmental compliance:

• the best in all respects was the city of Bolzano;
• the second-ranked locality is Milan, which held this position 8 years ago;
• Trento, which occupies an honorable third place, stands out for its well-developed transport infrastructure and logistics;
• Florence and Sondrio round out five best cities Italy.

Photo gallery: the best Italian cities for expats to move to

Milan is not only the capital of world fashion, but also a great place to live Bolzano tops the ranking of the best settlements in Italy Sondrio - the capital of the province of the same name. The city is not very popular among tourists, but it is a great place for a calm and measured life. Trento is located in the upper reaches of the Adige River at the foot of the Alps. Florence is an Italian city on the Arno River with a very rich history. In the past, it was Florence that was the capital of the Italian kingdom.

Among the ten most comfortable cities for life were singled out: Venice, Siena, Cuneo, Ravenna and Aosta. Rome, according to analysts, has fallen in the ranking from 12th to 16th place.

Outsiders among the settlements of Italy are the southern cities, which confirms the different level of development of the south and north of the country. At the very end of the ranking are: Reggio di Calabria, Caserta, Vibo Valentia, Palermo and Taranto.

Adaptation and work in Italy through the eyes of Russians (reviews)

Despite the huge number of attractions and interesting culture, the integration of Russians into the Italian environment is quite difficult. As evidenced by the responses of migrants, the indigenous people are not always willing to accept our fellow citizens into their environment.

Almost everyone who has left and lives there says that the connection with Russia should not be lost. No matter how well you speak the language, no matter how well you earn, you will always be an outsider, you will always stand out. Not always in a positive sense, etc. On the other hand, none of them is in a hurry to leave, because, having got used to the Italian way of life, to Italian beauties, food, they don’t really want to return to their Ulyanovsk, Nizhny Novgorod or even Moscow .

My opinion is to get on your feet and earn money in Russia. And already having a certain passive income in Russia, even if it’s 700-1000 euros per month (whether it’s renting an apartment or a bank deposit), in Italy you can already feel comfortable, not grab any low-skilled job, get an education, an MBA (in Many people study Italy before the age of 35-40!) and build a decent life. Among the stories when a man left everything and left to conquer Europe more with a sad ending than a happy one.

Katerina Danekina

I have been living in the south of Italy (near Naples) for 7 years now and my husband is Italian. For seven years I have endured all kinds of bullying and ridicule from Italians, such as “is there bread in Russia”, “why do you know how to drive a car”, “your higher education like our 10th grade”, “if you are Russian, you can only wash the floor and take our men away”, etc. We are considered by the level of development to be something at the level of a dog, accustomed to living in poverty, but we have no moral principles in general, the entire former union is considered a country of badantes and women of easy virtue. Of course, there are close people and they treat you like a human, but I'm talking about the mass.

diana72

I have been living here for 3 years, and although Prato is in Tuscany, it is full of immigrants from the south ... as well as Chinese, Arabs, African Americans, Romanians and Slavs ... People's attitudes are different and mostly quite biased ... I never answered “I am a fool myself” , I don’t need this type of self-affirmation ... I just don’t care what people who don’t know me think about me ...

Kateryna
http://ursa-tm.ru/forum/index.php?/topic/2130-zhizn-v-italii/

I live in Taranto, a very southern city. During the entire stay, there was NEVER a case of nationalism (can I say so?) in my address. Curiosity, interest, a lot of questions about our lives - yes. There are many stereotypes about Russia, but this is due to the lack of information.

Katia
http://ursa-tm.ru/forum/index.php?/topic/2130-zhizn-v-italii/

An unprecedented influx of refugees in 2014 and 2015 reduced the possibility of employment for Russians to a minimum. If in the north of the country there is still a chance to find jobs, then in the south even representatives of the indigenous population are deprived of such an opportunity. Of course, in any country there are exceptions: if a Russian migrant had an employment contract with an Italian company in advance, then this solves many problems both with entering the country and with living in it. However, the majority of our compatriots who have Russian diplomas of doctors, engineers and teachers will most likely work as waiters, governesses, builders or laborers in the fields. It is worth noting that nepotism is quite developed in Italy, since all heads of small and medium-sized enterprises primarily employ their close and distant relatives, depriving foreign applicants of this opportunity. A small family business is very well developed in the country.

When people talk about unemployment in Italy, this is not for the sake of a “red word”. According to official figures, the unemployment rate in Italy was 12% (compared to 5.7% in Russia). But in practice, things are much worse: unemployment is skyrocketing, especially among young people. In Russia, if you wish, you can always find a place for a waiter or a seller in a store. Let it be 10,000 rubles, but you can. In Italy, about 100 applicants apply for the position of a seller or a waiter for a salary of 500 euros. If this is not a tourist area, Italians are hired first.

Natalia Goberti
http://natali-goberti.livejournal.com/32432.html

Jobs in Italy are obtained depending on knowledge, experience and education. There is a certain familiarity factor, but it is no more than in any other European country. Another conversation is that in Italy there are a lot of family businesses, where, in principle, almost all family members, relatives, cousins, etc. work. This is part of the culture. If we talk about large holdings or international companies, then we cannot say that there is some kind of “blat” there.

There is a selection for a particular company, everyone is interviewed, most often not one or even two, often even at the first stages without visiting the company's office, but via Skype. In general, as in any other European country. In general, if an applicant gets a job in an international company, then it does not really matter where exactly you live.

Your education, qualifications, work experience, your personal qualities play a role. If you are interested in the company - they will call you and draw up all the documents themselves. Many who are interested in good job, and not the idea of ​​“life in Italy no matter how”, they are looking for work while still in Russia.

It all depends on education and perseverance. If you have a special medical, engineering or financial education, then you can find a job. Such jobs are in demand.

Katerina Danekina
http://prian.ru/pub/25309.html

AT Idea: about working in Italy

Some aspects of native Italian life are as distinctive as their culture:

1. All residents of the country must strictly observe the siesta - lunch break, lasting from 13 to 16 hours. As a rule, banks, shops, cafes do not work at this time, and various meetings are not scheduled.
2. The ratio of men and women leans towards more of the former.
3. Indigenous people are very fond of and proud of their country. For a positive contact, Italians must see the respectful attitude of a foreigner to the history and traditions of Italy. In addition, it is very important to follow the rules of a well-mannered person: do not forget to thank, say hello and say goodbye.

Video: all the truth and myths about Italy and Italians

Thanks to the mild climate, many attractions and a relatively calm economic situation, Italy can become a home for a Russian migrant. However, most of our compatriots recommend leaving real estate in Russia in case of unforeseen circumstances and for additional income, since Italy does not give foreigners a sense of stability.

Beautiful Italy attracts millions of tourists like a magnet. Many of them, seeing with their own eyes and appreciating the incredible wealth of Italy, begin to think about the question: "Why shouldn't I move to Italy to enjoy all the benefits that life in a developed European state with a high standard of living, a wonderful climate and healthy food?

The decision to immigrate to Italy is not easy for anyone. Every foreigner remembers the "parting words" of their ancestors, like the hackneyed sayings "Where you were born - there you fit in" and begins to doubt whether life in Bel Paese is really so incomparable and fertile?

For all those who continue to have doubts and do not dare to, we have written this mini-guide for a potential immigrant. Today we will talk about "pro" and "contro" or, simply, the pros and cons of life in Italy, and we will also devote a whole section of the article to the impressions of our fellow citizens who decided to change their fate radically by moving to permanent residence in the country of the sun.

Now about everything in more detail. Let's start with the positives!

Benefits of living in Italy

• If the climate in your homeland does not suit you, after moving to Italy, you will no longer experience discomfort, rest assured. Here you can choose almost any climatic conditions for a comfortable life: from cool to hot, from mountains to the sea, from lakes to green hills. It is not for nothing that many older Americans and Europeans, having retired, move to Italy for permanent residence (you can read more about the methods of immigration to Italy in).
• Italian cuisine is a masterpiece, without undue modesty! And the Mediterranean diet is considered the healthiest in the world! Italy is famous for its abundance of high-class restaurants, however, each Italian trattoria will be able to offer the client a special dish prepared according to a family recipe that your taste buds will remember forever.
• Italy is a paradise for lovers of cultural and historical sights. Agree, for the opportunity to walk every evening, admiring the facade of the Florentine Duomo or the majestic Milan Cathedral, you can sacrifice a lot.
• Italy is washed by five seas from three sides: wherever you live, the sea will be located nearby.
• "Made in Italy" is a kind of quality mark, no matter what product it concerns. Every year, millions of tourists come to Italy to shop for luxury brands or to buy handicrafts, some of the best in quality in the world and very extraordinary in design.
• Despite its length and area, the Italian Republic is diverse and many-sided. This means that every foreigner who decides to immigrate to Italy will be able to choose a place to live that he will like. If you prefer restraint and efficiency - you are in the North, if you like chaos and cheerfulness - Welcome to the South!
• Italians are good-natured, easy to contact and quite well-mannered. When you enter a small shop, you are sure to be greeted and served with a smile.
• Italy is one of the founding countries of the European Union. As a resident of Italy, you will be able to freely move around the Eurozone, as well as live and work in any of the EU countries;
  
• Italy is the 3rd largest economy in the EU, it is profitable to start or expand your own business here. real and not too complicated procedure. Immigrate to Italy by opening a company is one of the the best options for a foreigner who has firmly decided to get a residence permit in Italy and firmly stand on his feet.

25-year-old Olga frankly told why she was mistaken that Italy is her country where you can stay to live. It turned out that the whole point is that traveling to such countries is one thing, but I want to live in Russia.

25-year-old Olga considered Italy the very country in which you can stay to live:
“After spending some time in Italy, having already received a residence permit, I realized that this is not entirely true. Initially, I perceived the country as more open and friendly. Italy is very different, everywhere has its own regional characteristics.”
The first visit to Italy was as a tourist:
“In 11th grade, during spring break, I went on a bus tour of Italy. They promised a student group, but already at the station it turned out that only pensioners would go with me. First impression: this is my country. Everyone is very positive, sociable, emotional! When you ride in a tourist bus, the children at the bus stop are all waving at you!
In 2010 I graduated from high school. In the same year, she went to Rome to study Italian: eight months was enough to get enough skills for free communication. Then she entered the International Fashion Institute in Florence. From that moment, my new independent life in another country began.

Lost in translation (language)

“Be prepared for the fact that when studying classical Italian in Russia or Italy, you will not understand anything when you come to one or another region until you adapt. There are a great many dialects. Italians love to parody each other: everyone considers their language to be true and perfect. I got used to the Tuscan dialect for a year, initially perceiving it as a speech impediment.”

Difficulties (housing issue)

“Housing was difficult. First, I was placed in a student house, still at the stage of studying at a language school in Rome, two students per room. Lived with a Brazilian. She moved out very quickly."

“As a result, I changed eight apartments during the entire period of my life in Italy. To find modern apartment not easy by our standards. Italians live in old palazzos: antique furniture, stone floors, cold walls, minimalism. Gas is very expensive, as a result of which it is very cold in the rooms in winter. At home, it is customary to walk in shoes: neither guests nor hosts take off their shoes.
The Italians, to be honest, are distinguished by a special indifference. Therefore, their concept of comfort is very different from ours.

girls

"Italian girls don't care about appearance, I'm talking about grooming. They are completely independent." Even those who try to take care of themselves and do manicures will walk around with their nails neglected to the extreme if their master has gone on vacation. They will not be able or will not want to file a nail on their own. The girls are clueless. I don’t talk about hair removal at all, they probably have their own view on aesthetics. ”


The inscription in Italian: "All this luxury is a provocation."

Service

“The level of service they provide is very poor. Hairdressers and more. In general, their service in this sense is weak. Expensive and poor quality - tyap-blunder. They don’t know how to do it neatly, they can slap from the heart!”


This is how pizza is made, for example, from a big heart.
“They will do a manicure for you:“ Normal! Great! Have a good day! Come down!”

The youth

“I have talked with Italians more than once, and in friendly conversations they asked what I do. I talked about myself, about my plans.


""And how old are you?" - “23-24″. This was a pleasant surprise for them, because in Italy you are a child until the age of 30. When you say in society that you are 25, they immediately begin: “Oh, what a child, what a little one!” - “Piccolina!” They immediately treat you very condescendingly, as if you will only mature at forty.
Until the age of 35, they live only for entertainment, travel, the guys do not have an understanding of who they want to be.

Education

“Italians finish their education very late: they finish school, lyceum, then they travel somewhere, then they sit on their parents' necks, look for themselves, think about where they should go. Many go to work, bypassing higher educational institutions.
If a we are talking about state university, then they have such a system: until you pass, you can repeat the year until you get bored. That is, you did not pass the exam, for the second year, for the second year ... Groundhog Day! They are not kicked out. God forbid they graduate by 30.
I lived with a Florentine woman who graduated from university at 28. She had terrible depression. I asked: “Francesca, what is happening to you?” She explained to me that in Italy there is such a scheme that the employer pays the minimum tax for an employee who is under 30 years old. But before the age of 30, 10% of them receive education. If you're 28 or 29, no employer will hire you for a year. To train you for only a year, so that after 30 years he will pay a huge tax for you. And so they are in such a state of limbo.

Men

"Remembered interesting phrase fellow students in Italy about Italian men. In order to resume communication with her Italian father, she, a Muscovite, moved to Italy, learned the language. She lived there longer than I did, she was friends with the Italians. And she told me: “When you meet a man in Russia, all your problems are his problems, when you meet an Italian man, all his problems are your problems.” It really is.
Initially, I thought that Italians were my type. It turned out that their men are very infantile, all whiners, no matter how brutal they look: with tattoos, a beard, the true look of a male. This phenomenon is colloquially called "mammone" ("mama's boy"). They are absolutely not embarrassed by it. For them, a woman's word is law."


Men are whiners, and this is the biggest problem.
“Here's an example: we lived 300 meters from a large supermarket. We had Italian friends. Went to buy food and drink. They returned from the supermarket, gave the boy packages, not very heavy, small, and he walked and grumbled why we didn’t go by car.
They complain about everything. Drink a cup of coffee - "Fascifo!" (“Wrong coffee!”) They bring pasta: “My mom cooks better!” “God, how hot!”, “God, how cold!”, “It's all wrong!”. They are all wrong. Apparently, due to the fact that everything is too good, they are very capricious. Girls are easier."

European values

“In my environment, people were very far from the values ​​generally accepted in our country. We did not perceive 50-year-old teachers as 50-year-olds. They're all childfree, creepy party people. We had such a thing that someone arranged a party, called the professor, invited him, and he came. For an hour or two, but looked.
Many Italians are completely unencumbered by anything, they are only engaged in a career, their interests, parties, travels.


Italian Roberto and Moldavian Efimiya, friends of our family. Happy couple

“They really start to think about starting a family only closer to forty years. A very interesting version was told to me by an Italian woman. She taught me Italian in Rome. According to her, since Italian women give birth very late, they do not have a maternal instinct, which affects their hormonal levels. Italians are very aggressive and unrestrained, especially in relationships. It is not uncommon for a couple to sort things out in the middle of the road: the wife screams at her husband, and he stands, endures everything and does not answer her.
Not only is there a matriarchy with a woman at the head of the family, but also they, the women themselves, are very twitchy.

Friendliness in the cafe

“If you come to an institution in Florence, even if it is some small restaurant, there is home cooking and relatively low prices. They do not look at you as a potential client who brings in income. They try their best to make you happy.
Recently I was in Florence for a Radiohead concert. My friend and I went to have dinner at a restaurant, which was not far from our hotel, in the center. We ordered a glass of wine and food there. We ate, we ask for the bill, a waiter comes up to us, whom I remember from my college days. He asks: “But what about the sweet?” We: “Thanks, don’t, we ate.” Him: "No, you can't leave without homemade tiramisu." He brings a large portion of tiramisu for two, tops up with wine that we did not order - dessert. Then: “But what about coffee, Italian traditions, have you forgotten ?!” They drink espresso after every meal. It really helps when you eat well.”
And he brought coffee, it was maximum friendliness. By the way, all treats were not included in the bill. And it's the same in many other restaurants. They bring compliments, goodies. And this is not ostentatious politeness.

Sense of style

“They have a very developed taste. And style. In blood. All Italians are artists and creators at heart. It is not customary for girls to walk in heels, at least in Florence. Even if you have modest classic pumps, cars honk and people pay attention. At the university they ask: “Are you going on a date today?”


They don't wear heels. It's just inconvenient, paving stones are everywhere.

Attitude towards Russians

“A double attitude, to be honest. I lived with a Ukrainian. She is 30 years old, she came to Italy to look for a husband: not to study and not to work, but to meet men. But Italians, Europeans do not share: you are Russian, Ukrainian. Psychologically, they postpone the fact that a Slavic girl - she is easily accessible, agrees to everything, has come to get married. When you behave in a different way, you get some kind of double respect from the locals, because they expect a slightly different behavior from you.
I can’t say that this is a stereotype, because indeed many people come there to get married.”

Russian evenings, Russian cuisine

“Sometimes the girls and I arranged Russian evenings, cooked pancakes with caviar, Russian salad and so on. The Italians were delighted with Russian cuisine. I don’t remember if we fed them borscht, but as for our hard mayonnaise salads, pancakes, pastries, they are delighted.”


“Actually, they also have our olivier, only called “insalata russa”, which means “Russian salad”. But they cook it disgustingly, to be honest. Potatoes, carrots, filled with mayonnaise, and this is sold in any supermarket. And when I cooked a real Olivier, they were absolutely delighted. I even left them a recipe for a real Russian olivier.”

Putin

“In Europe, not only in Italy, he is very respected and treated with some apprehension. This is the attitude towards our government. The adult generation has a special respect for Putin's policy and often discusses it, at least in my circle there were just such Italians. The younger generation also has respect, but against the backdrop of fear and apprehension. And that's good too."

Why didn't you stay

“Every country has its own problems. When I returned to my homeland, I often heard the question: “Why didn’t you stay?” How why?! In addition to my inner spiritual feelings, it’s really: it’s one thing to travel, it’s good to be a tourist everywhere. Another thing is to live. Because it also has its own gaps in the legislation, its own pitfalls. There are so many reasons why I didn't stay."


“There was no peace of mind. Love to motherland. Although I can say that Italy will forever remain my place of strength and inspiration!
If we talk about a career, then after graduating from the university, given that I am Russian, if I came with my diploma to a certain brand, I would be offered to work as a consultant in the gym. There are a lot of Russian tourists, knowledge of Russian and Chinese is now valued.”


"The salespeople make good money, but that's not what I was aiming for."
“After moving to Moscow, it was hard to return from the accumulated problems to the unknown. It was hard to speak Russian, my brain rebuilt, I forgot words, I built sentences incorrectly, then I adapted.”

Thoughts on emigration

“It was never a fixed idea, that is, that I definitely want to leave Russia, because I am a terrible patriot, I love our mentality, our humor, Russian rock, and I really missed all this.
After five years of living in a fabulous but foreign country, I returned to Russia as an even greater patriot. And Italy will forever remain in my heart: I have learned to love it and perceive it as it is!”


Now Olga works in Moscow as a creative manager in a St. Petersburg company that manufactures women's clothing. Occasionally travels the world, both as a tourist and for work. Enjoy life, in a word.

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Classmates

According to statistics, Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe by tourists: in terms of the number of tourists coming to it every year, it ranks third after London and Paris. Travelers from all over the world are attracted to it, first of all, by the numerous architectural sights with which Rome is literally oversaturated, as well as by that unique aura that literally envelops the "eternal city". It is noteworthy that of the three million people now inhabiting the capital of Italy, about 10% are from other countries, mainly Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and Romania. According to official figures, about two thousand Russians live in Rome on a permanent basis.

Like any other major tourist center in Europe, Rome is by no means a “cheap” city, but the cost of living in it is still significantly lower than, say, in Paris or London. In terms of financial situation, the Italian statistical office divides all Romans into three categories: those with low (less than 1,000 euros), medium (up to 1,400 euros) and high (2,500 euros or more) monthly income.

Housing expenses

Since tourists come to Rome in large numbers almost at any time of the year (although, of course, most of them are in the summer season), local owners of “extra” apartments and rooms always have to rent them out by the day at very good rental rates for themselves. . Therefore, rent a normal apartment for long term at a reasonable price there is quite difficult. On average, renting a room in the capital of Italy costs, depending on the living area and area, from 300 to 600 euros, and one-room apartment- from 800 to 1000 euros. As for utilities, they are not included in these amounts and are paid separately.

In Rome, there is a practice of paying a deposit when renting a home, which, as a rule, is the payment for living within two or three months. It should be noted that in most cases the apartments for rent are in excellent condition.

Transport costs

In Rome, there are such types of public transport as metro, trams and buses, and it should be noted that all of them work far from ideal. For example, subway trains can run up to twenty minutes on weekends, and local transport workers often go on strike. However, all these inconveniences are partly offset by the fact that the cost of public transport in Rome is relatively low compared to many other European capitals: a ticket for any type of transport valid for one hundred minutes costs only one and a half euros, and an unlimited monthly pass costs 35 euros .

It should be noted that motorists in Rome have a rather hard time. The fact is that in the historical center of the city, many streets are often blocked for entry, in addition, in the Italian capital, most parking spaces are paid, and the cost of temporary parking of a car on them is quite impressive and reaches two euros per hour.

Food expenses

There are several supermarkets in Rome large networks food supermarkets (Carrefour, Coop, Conad), as well as a huge number of small shops. The range of foodstuffs presented in the trade is extremely wide, and the Romans prefer to purchase such types of them as fresh vegetables and fruits in the markets or in numerous small shops owned by immigrants from Egypt.

According to statistics, for one trip to the supermarket, local residents spend an average of about 40 euros. As for food expenses per month, for a family of two, they amount to approximately 350 euros. It goes without saying that such a modest amount, even by Italian standards, must be spent in order to purchase the necessary set of products from which food will be prepared at home. If you have breakfast and dinner at home, and dine, say, in pizzerias (of which there are simply a myriad in Rome) or in other establishments Catering, then this amount should be increased by at least one and a half times.

medical expenses

In Rome (as, indeed, throughout Italy), visits to doctors in public clinics for some categories of citizens are free. These include people with low incomes, people with AIDS and certain other serious illnesses, and pregnant women. Everyone else has to pay for their treatment at least partially. The amount of expenses for one visit to the doctor depends on many factors and reaches several tens of euros.

Thus, it is not possible to more or less accurately determine how much medical care costs in Rome. It is only necessary to note: in the Italian capital there are usually so many people who want to make an appointment with a “free” doctor that they sometimes have to wait for an appointment for several months. Therefore, the Romans have to use the services of private clinics. The cost of admission in most of them is from 100 euros.