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"The Roman Character"

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The Roman Character

Italy is one of those countries that inspire a lot of preconceived notions about their national character. Even people who have never set foot in the country have opinions on what it means to be Italian. This isn't all that surprising considering that Italy is a country that attracts millions of visitors every year, has been depicted in countless books and films and boasts some of the most famous historical monuments and illustrious art in the world. And it must be said that buried beneath every stereotype is a grain of truth which tells you a lot about a country and its people.   

Within Italy, the Romans are the subject of more than a few stereotypes. Many people throughout the country choose to live in Rome, but this popularity is a double-edged sword for the capital. Often Rome is seen as receiving greater recognition and privilege than other major cities, such as Milan, which also bring the country prestige and financial gain. Rome is therefore often viewed with a certain degree of suspicion by its fellow countrymen. 

Meanwhile, the Romans seem rather unconcerned with these political and administrative questions. It isn't that they don't care or fail to see the importance of these issues. Rather, they realise that they are powerless to address them and therefore prefer to avoid futile discussions on the subject. Something, however, that does provoke intense and passionate debate is football. In addition to discussing the trials and tribulations of Rome's two teams, Lazio and Roma, diehard football lovers also follow the antics of Italy's many other stellar clubs such as Milan's Inter and Turin's Juventus.  Football is the undisputed king of national sports, and its fans can be found in just about every corner of the country.

Romans have also developed a rather nonchalant attitude towards their past glory. The events immortalised in history books and represented in celebrated monuments throughout the city are simply another aspect of quotidian life. From a local perspective, the heart of Ancient Rome, which includes the Coliseum and the Forums and attracts millions of tourists every year, is primarily seen as a traffic nightmare to be avoided at rush hour. 

The traffic is precisely one of those aforementioned infamous character traits that plague Rome relentlessly. Trying to get around Rome by car can turn into an odyssey, especially if you are new to the city and unfamiliar with its streets. The Roman driving style tends to be aggressive and there seems to be a glaring lack of traffic signs. Traffic lights exist but seem to exert no authority on drivers or pedestrians, turning rush hour traffic into something close to mayhem. It is no wonder that many people opt for motorcycles and bicycles, especially since the public transport system is sorely lacking in efficiency despite numerous buses and trams and two underground lines that connect the city.

Luckily driving in traffic is just about the only stressful experience you are likely to encounter in Rome. Generally the Romans prefer to take things easy. There always seems to be time for a long chat or a good show. In the winter, Romans tend to gather at cafés and trattorias. A surprising number of Romans also have a penchant for the opera and the cinema. The best seasons in Rome, however, are spring and autumn. The weather is pleasant and warm enough for dinners outside, strolls in the park, eating ice-cream in a quaint square or a leisurely shopping trip. After nightfall the city continues to buzz with activity, and you will have no problem finding something appealing amidst the ample nightlife possibilities. All of this goes to show that yet another popular notion about Rome is true. The city is best enjoyed outside because that is where everything happens.

One thing that can be said about the Romans is that they know how to have fun. Generally speaking, Romans tend to be cheerful and communicative. Roman men are especially fond of helping young female tourists travelling alone. Strangely enough, most women are not the least bit offended by this direct, undisguised flirtation. There is something light and unthreatening about the approach that makes most of these encounters quite charming. Depending on who you ask, the Romans are phlegmatic, boastful, unrefined and even rude or spontaneous, cheerful, astute and very welcoming. As with all generalisations, the truth about the Romans probably lies somewhere between these two extremes.

Rome, like most cities, is largely defined by its population. What is uniquely charming, however, is the attractive duality that characterises the city's people. There is the traditional, almost provincial, Rome with the classic Italian mammas taking their children for a walk or the elderly sitting and chatting for hours in a sun-soaked square. And then there is the modern city, the dynamic and youthful Rome populated with young hipsters who are completely up to date on every trend and are interested in design, fashion, style and all things cutting-edge.

The city is lively, at times even disorganised and chaotic. But whereas chaos can be unsettling in other places, in Rome it seems a natural and even enjoyable state of affairs. The glory days of the Eternal City may be over, but Rome has somehow managed to retain its charm, inviting visitors to let go and enjoy the fun.