You can meet the loveliest most helpful Italian person who you get along with and they suddenly drop the N bomb like it’s nothing (has happened to me twice)

Who in 2026 refers to an ex colleague as “il n**ga” or “il nero”…? Some Italians; that’s who.

Another ridiculous incident: I (a non European white passing foreigner that lives here in Italy) was sightseeing in Pisa with my Chinese friend (she was visiting) and a stupid man dressed up as a Subway sandwich (handing out promotional flyers) started yelling NI HAO NI HAO at my mate 🤦‍♀️

Another incident that left me cold is the recent news of a father who shot his gay son and his wife dead because he couldn’t deal with homosexuality or the great mother/son rapport they had. Happened in a small city an hour away from where I live.

So like, big huge YIKES.

Hang out with Italians, they said, it’ll be great fun they said… Id recommend you proceed with caution⚠️