Is Italy Friendly to Foreigners? Si, Assolutamente!
As a gamer and world traveler, I‘m happy to report that Italy rolls out the red carpet for visitors from around the globe. With open arms, Italians welcome over 60 million sightseers per year. So rest assured – your foreign status won‘t prevent you from unlocking Italy‘s full hospitality and having an epic adventure!
By the Numbers: Italy Grades High for Foreigner Friendliness
Let‘s examine some key statistics that support Italy‘s excellent foreigner reception:
- 81% of expats say Italians are generally friendly toward foreign residents (Expat Insider Survey)
- Italy ranks #13 out of 65 on the Global Peace Index, indicating very high safety and acceptance for outsiders
- Over 5 million foreign tourists visited Italy in 2018, up +3% from 2017 (Tourism Bureau Data)
- Between 2012-2017, Italy had fewer than 10 reported hate crime incidents against immigrants per year (OSCE Report)
| Foreign Visitors to Italy 2012-2018 |
|---|
| Year |
| 2018 |
| 2017 |
| 2016 |
| 2015 |
| 2014 |
| 2013 |
| 2012 |
So we can see a positive upwards trend in folks opting to complete side quests in Italy. This movement wouldn‘t persist if travelers weren‘t enjoying excellent NPC interactions!
How Italians View & Treat Americans
As an American looking to explore Italy, you can expect smooth sailing through the country‘s landscape. America has maintained strong diplomatic ties with Italy for over 150 years. And today in pop culture, movies and brands like Domino‘s pizza give Italians continual positive exposure to Americana.
In terms of personal treatment – expect Italians to be very friendly, curious and excited to chat in English. According to Studentsville International Accommodations, "Italians are openheartedly attracted to Americans" and often give preferential treatment for customer service as they admire Americans‘ purchasing power. As an American gamer visiting internet cafes, conventions and eSports tournaments, you‘ll fit right in with young Italians enthusiastic about US entertainment and tech innovations.
Of course American tourists earn some grumbles from locals for being loud, arrogant or culturally ignorant at times. But overall the worst an American should expect is some playful teasing or laughs at their expense. Avoid politics discussions, be willing to try Italian customs, learn handy phrases in the native tongue, and you‘ll maximize positive interactions.
Running an Expat Side Quest: Americans Living in Italy
What if your gaming adventures inspire you to upgrade from tourist to resident? The visa process can be laborious with much red tape to shred through. But tens of thousands of Americans have proven it‘s conquerable.
Popular expat spots like Rome, Milan, Florence and Tuscan countryside offer enviable amenities in exchange for the bureaucratic headaches:
- Amazing cuisine
- Rich, stunning scenery
- Family-centric culture
- Highly reputed universities
- Cutting edge design across fashion, cars, art and architecture
Italy also brings super affordable living costs compared to the US. Everything from property rentals, groceries, dining out and healthcare rank much lower in terms of monetary grind. For example, while the average American spends over $10,000 per year on healthcare, Italy has a national plan granting access to medical services for only around $1500 per annum. That frees up a lot of extra gold pieces for pursuing your gaming passions!
Sure you‘ll need to adjust from a typically American lifestyle pace and mindset if relocating long-term. And minor annoyances like translation difficulties, smoking in public areas, or sporadic postal service can arise. But nothing that should deter an adventurous gamer from planting their flag if interested!
When In Rome: Tips for Americans Visiting or Moving to Italy
To maximize positive interactions as a foreigner in Italy‘s world, keep this basic etiquette cheat sheet on hand:
Attire Up: Italians focus on appearing sharp and polished day to day. So dress stylishly in nice jeans, jackets, scarves, etc rather than just t-shirts or athletic pants.
Cash Is King: Many smaller shops and restaurants still prefer cash transactions or have credit card minimums. Carry euros rather than depending solely on cards.
Learn The Local Tongue:Brush up on some Italian to impress locals and augment your EXP. Greetings, courtesy terms, restaurant ordering vocabulary prove handy.
Watch the Clock: Know that Italy runs on a later schedule – meals are eaten at 9pm and later. Stores/attractions have afternoon siesta breaks. Deadlines and meeting times often flex.
When In Doubt, Do As The Romans Do: Avoid controversy by being sensitive to cultural norms. For example, don‘t demand cappuccinos post-11am or request ranch dressing with your pizza!
Putting these tips into practice helps avoid "game over" scenarios for Americans looking to hack travel in Italy.
So in summary, I wholeheartedly endorse fellow gamers to select Italy for your next real-world sandbox environment. The travel quests and side missions available offer tons of rich content! And the locals couldn‘t be more welcoming to aid you in fully experiencing their vibrant culture.
Sure you may face the occasional tricky platform jump navigating language barriers or visa constraints if moving long-term. But the reward payout of gaining this spectacular country as your secondary gaming hub makes it all worthwhile!
Let me know in comments if you‘ve had epic adventures gaming across Italy! And stay tuned here as I livestream my upcoming travels across Naples, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. Ciao for now!
