Many of us go on vacation, but beyond the fun we’ve had, a thinner wallet and the time it takes to recuperate, we don’t often take the time to think if we’ve learned anything about ourselves after visiting a foreign country. During my recent travel experience, my very first trip to Italy, I’ve had the opportunity to learn a few things about myself, family, and enjoying life.
Many of the locals I met in Italy actually enjoy their work and unlike Americans, they work to live, not live to work. What they call “siesta” is a two-hour break for lunch, and most businesses” close between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m. Of course, they work later and they eat dinner between 8 and 9 p.m. Their love and passion for life are contagious. Time doesn’t seem as important because they understand the full essence of life: to enjoy life and live it fully and passionately.
The culture in Italy is very family-oriented. Many families go to church together every Sunday and share a meal at least once a week. Dinners impressed me most. They are not a daily ritual for sustenance and survival, but rather a time for social gathering and bonding. It’s not hurried; most meals are prepared from scratch with home-grown fruit and vegetables.
This in comparison to my dinners at home, when either the television is on or someone is nose-deep in his or her cellphone, often ignoring everything else. Sometimes during a commercial break, someone may be inclined to inquire, “How was your day?” or “Did you do anything interesting today?”
At the first restaurant I visited after my return from Italy, I noticed more than ever before how meals are rushed in order to clear the table for the next customer. It’s business. I get it. However, in Italy, your next course is not served until you request it, even if your plate is empty.
So what exactly did I learn from these experiences and observations?
How important family is, and how we should take the time to be present in the lives of others
How to make dinners a time for bonding and engagement
How life should be enjoyed as much as possible by stressing less, taking vacations, and doing something you enjoy just for yourself
How important it is to do what you love, in terms of your career.
How to incorporate time to nurture your spiritual life, either for prayer, meditation or both
For more insight on Italian dining, please view my blog post, “Relax and Enjoy Dinner.”
