Every
single time I hosted an Italian friend back in the States, WITHOUT FAIL,
the first thing they'd say when they saw the newspaper distribution
boxes on sidewalks, was, "how is it
possible that no one takes all the papers?" The first time someone asked
me, I was baffled. "Why would anyone want to do that? I only need one."
The inevitable response, which I eventually got used to over the years,
was, "But, just because you could! No one's monitoring it!" Apparently
the honor system isn't big around Italy. So I'd then respond, "Ok, fine.
But then what would you DO with all those extra newspapers?" Reply,
"Oh, I don't know, really. Sell them? Who knows. It's just... this idea
that you could take them all if you wanted." I find that a fascinating
cultural commentary. I have no use for 10 newspapers. My mind didn't
even go there. And yet, every Roman who ever came to the States always
marveled at this idea. Love it.
E' una delle cose che adoro degli Americani: l'onestà e la correttezza. Poi c'è anche chi si comporta da "italiano", ma li ammiro tanto per come sono
RispondiEliminaAnche io. E' una delle prime cose che ho notato in America: la gentilezza e il senso civico degli Americani.
RispondiElimina