MOVING TO ITALY?

What to know before you leave :

1) where to live
2) visa
3) how to find an apartment, neighborhoods
4) for how long
5) how to find a job
6) information on driving (valid licenses, car rental )
7) information on traffic laws and signs (traffic light, one way, …)
8) information on public and private school

when you arrive : lots of patience
9) how to open a bank account
10) how to find a doctor (information about medical sevices…)
11) how to register at the town hall
12) how to hook up utilities

Settiling in :

13) business hours (bank, supermarkets, post ofiice, stores , restaurants )
14) bar
15) tabaccheria
16) market days
17) American associations,
18) English publications
19) Transportation
20) Relations with neighbours

Daily differences :

a) nobody will bag your groceries

b) when you ask for un caffe you will receive an espresso . If you ask for a latte you will receive a glass of milk. Any Starbucks name is invalid in Italy. A macchiato is espresso with a drop of milk. If you ask for a skim milk you will only get a confused stare. A caffe doppio is two shots of espresso.

c) You ‘ll probably not have a dryer and it is acceptable to hang your clothes outside

d) Garbage disposals don’t exist

e) During gas station business hours you must always pay an attendant whether you pump your own gas or not;

f) Unless you take a number (where it is possible) you will not find a line to stand in . Instead, a bunch of people will be squeezing their way to the “front”

g) Servers do not live off of tips. They do not expect tips. Sometimes large groups leave some change. Therefore do not expect the same service as the US unless you are at a an exclusive restaurant. You must always pay for water and a “coperto” which is a small fee set by the restaurant.

h) You don’t get free refills . If you want a drink with ice you need to ask for it.

i) Don’t expect to receive mail on time from other countries. Nobody will pick up your post from your mail box; you must bring it to a red federal mail box yourself.

l) Cars don’t really care about pedestrians. Look carefully before you cross.

m) You can always get fresh bread at the bakery

n) If a movie stops half way, don’t worry , it’s just intermission . The movie will resume in a few minutes
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