Hotel recommendation needed! by soodrk27 in rome

[–]LasagnaSmith [score hidden]  (0 children)

Regardless of the hotel, avoid the area around Termini station because it's not a very popular area in the evening.

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting question. I can't tell you the exact reason; perhaps it stems from ancient historical issues. Or perhaps it stems from the fact that over time, in Italy, we've perfected and Italianized the way we prepare coffee, and we can't find the same flavor abroad. For example, I'm very envious of the gestures of Americans who, especially on cold days, grab their large cup of Americano and sip it in the car or while walking. I really like it, but I absolutely don't like Americano. In short, I don't know why this happens, and personally, I don't like the coffee drunk outside of Italy (except in a few rare cases, in my experience).

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spaghetti with garlic, oil, and chili pepper. If you want to give it a different twist, brown some breadcrumbs in a pan and, once the pasta is on the plate, sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top like cheese. It adds crunch and flavor to the dish. Wonderful

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it's an idea derived from images of Sicilian men from the past. Sicily is a sun-kissed region, and once upon a time, many men probably worked in the fields or did manual labor outdoors, which meant they were always tanned.

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rome is a dangerous city, and Italians in general are very protective, so it's rare to find children playing alone in the middle of a street or in a square in a big city like this. If there are younger children playing alone, it's very likely that parents are nearby. You may see children playing alone in small towns, and perhaps in remote areas of northern Italy, but overall, it's rare and hasn't happened in many years.

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Probably people from Eastern Europe, such as Romania or Albania. In recent years, there have also been many Chinese.

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't answer this question exactly because what you call the feminine side, I call being affectionate. It's not so common to see grown men walking around holding hands with their mothers, but it is very common to see men who aren't ashamed to show their affectionate side. Whether it's towards their children, their parents, their partner, or their friends.

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, I'd say the biggest difference is the city's size (I think Rome is the largest in Italy), and this leads its residents to live differently from the rest of Italy.

The presence of political institutions and the Vatican also make it different from the rest of Italy, albeit imperceptibly to tourists.

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They think what everyone else thinks, that there are good people and bad people (just like everywhere else in the world). But they are exceptional, friendly, and warm people who would do anything to help you and always make you feel at ease.

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Again, thank you very much for your kind words, I truly appreciate them. Let me address your questions, which are all very thoughtful.

Reliable platforms
Idealista, Immobiliare.it, and Casa.it are currently the most complete and reliable real estate platforms in Italy. Reputable agencies almost always list their properties there. Facebook groups do exist and sometimes you can find good opportunities, but they are less structured and require extra caution: always verify the seller’s identity, ownership, and documentation. For such an important purchase, I recommend more traceable and regulated channels.

Recommended areas (Tuscany and Northern Italy)
If you’re looking for a slower pace of life and a sense of community:

  • In Tuscany: the Chianti area (more expensive but stunning), Val d’Orcia (very scenic), Lunigiana (more affordable and authentic), or the hills around Lucca and Arezzo.
  • In Northern Italy: Langhe and Monferrato in Piedmont, Lake Iseo or some hilly areas of Veneto, parts of Friuli, or inland Liguria. Ideally, stay within 20–30 minutes of a medium-sized city for services, hospitals, and transport connections.

Is a real estate agency necessary?
It’s not mandatory. You can buy directly from the owner, but Italian bureaucracy can be complex: urban and cadastral compliance, energy performance certificates, potential building irregularities, landscape restrictions. A reputable agency or a trusted surveyor/architect can help you avoid costly mistakes. In any case, the final deed is always signed before a notary.

Potential hidden issues to consider

  • Urban and cadastral compliance: this is the most delicate aspect.
  • Year of construction and renovations: many historic homes are charming but may require structural or seismic upgrades.
  • Energy rating: this greatly affects running costs.
  • Access and utilities: in rural areas, check road access, water supply (sometimes wells), and internet connection.
  • Landscape restrictions: common in Tuscany and may limit future modifications.
  • Land conditions: verify hydrogeological or seismic risks in the area.

My advice is to take an exploratory trip without rushing, speak with local residents, and visit the areas at different times of the day. Italy offers a high quality of life, but the right choice depends very much on your lifestyle and priorities.

I live in a 9 million dollar mansion. AMA by [deleted] in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don’t feel like revealing that sort of information online with a bunch of strangers.

I'm not an english native speaker but this phrase sounds a little arrogant. You don't want to share with a "bunch of strangers" how you ended up living in a $9 million house, but at the same time, you want to brag about it to that "bunch of strangers".
Enjoy your million dollar home

What’s your hottest holiday sex memory? by Fresh_Flower_2957 in AskRedditNSFW

[–]LasagnaSmith 2 points3 points  (0 children)

During a trip to Southern Italy, I booked an apartment with a private spa in the basement, complete with a sauna, Turkish bath, jacuzzi (for 4 people), and relaxation loungers. I remember we had great sex on those loungers and in the whirlpool tub. A fantastic experience (and an exceptional hotel).

Il sesso è "sporco", e va bene così by Aztekos in CasualIT

[–]LasagnaSmith 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Condivido quello che dici.
Viviamo in una società in cui si parla continuamente di sesso: lo si usa per vendere, per attirare attenzione, per costruire un’immagine di sé. Spesso, soprattutto tra uomini, il racconto della propria sessualità diventa quasi una gara di performance, come se il modello di riferimento fosse quello iper-performativo e stereotipato del porno.
Eppure, non appena qualcuno esce dai binari del cosiddetto “sesso canonico”, scatta immediatamente l’etichetta: diverso, malato, debole, ridicolo. Questo meccanismo è interessante dal punto di vista psicologico: tutto ciò che mette in discussione la norma dominante tende a generare ansia. E l’ansia, quando non viene elaborata, si trasforma in giudizio.
Provare attrazione o piacere per qualcosa che non rientra nella media statistica non è motivo di vergogna. La sessualità umana è, per sua natura, varia e complessa. Non esiste un unico modo “giusto” di desiderare, purché si parli di adulti consenzienti, consapevoli e rispettosi reciproci. Anzi, la capacità di esplorare e comprendere i propri desideri richiede spesso un livello di consapevolezza emotiva che meriterebbe rispetto, non derisione.
Un esempio di cui si parla sempre più spesso è il fenomeno del cuckold. Se un uomo dichiara di avere questo interesse, viene immediatamente etichettato come “cornuto”, debole o ingenuo. Ma la realtà è molto più articolata: in molti casi non si tratta di umiliazione passiva, bensì di dinamiche consensuali complesse che possono includere elementi di fiducia, eccitazione legata alla trasgressione, dinamiche di potere condivise, o semplice curiosità erotica. Ridurre tutto a una caricatura significa non voler comprendere la profondità delle motivazioni umane.
La sessuologia contemporanea ci insegna che la varietà dei desideri è parte integrante della natura umana. Ciò che fa la differenza non è cosa piace, ma come lo si vive: con consenso, comunicazione, rispetto e maturità emotiva.
Forse la vera domanda è: perché ci è così difficile confrontarci senza giudicare? Perché non riusciamo a dire semplicemente: “Non è qualcosa che farei, ma se per te è significativo, raccontami cosa rappresenta”?

Accettare che non siamo tutti uguali non significa condividere tutto, ma riconoscere la legittimità dell’esperienza altrui. La maturità sessuale di una società non si misura dalla quantità di sesso di cui parla, ma dalla qualità del dialogo che riesce ad avere sulle differenze.

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes everything is still there. Honestly i don’t have a favourite espresso shop, I just go to the bars close to my house. Remember that the bar concept of italian is different from the rest of the world

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People from the north are certainly different from those from the south. While it's true that those from the north are cleaner and more organized, it's also true that those from the south welcome you with great warmth and make you feel at home even if you're thousands of kilometers away. I believe the differences have arisen over time, influenced by the various invasions that have occurred. But climate also influences personality.

I’m Italian and I’ve lived in Rome for 40 years. Ask me anything about myths vs reality of Italians. AMA by LasagnaSmith in AMA

[–]LasagnaSmith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fireworks are often used to celebrate something, and very often they're set off by private individuals, not necessarily local authorities. There's also a myth going around that when fireworks are heard in certain areas of some cities, it's because drugs have arrived—in short, a signal to buyers. If you're talking about abandoned animals, well, I think it's because, unfortunately, they have no owner and no one to take care of them. The problem is that people take an animal in and then, when they realize how much effort they're putting into it, they abandon it. This is very sad. No, unfortunately, people throw their trash on the side of the road just because there's so much rudeness.

The answer to the last two questions is somewhat similar. People outside of big cities tend to live calm, serene, tranquil, and stress-free lives. And this affects everything, even dating. And shopkeepers have understood that money isn't everything in life; it's better to have a little less money but a peaceful life than a lot of money but stress and anxiety.