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I Lived in Italy for 20 Years - Here’s What Nobody Tells You
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I Lived in Italy for 20 Years – Here’s What Nobody Tells You

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I’ve lived in Italy for 20 years—and it changed me in ways I never expected. This isn’t a list of tourist tips. It’s what you really learn when you stay long enough to notice the details: the unspoken rules, the beauty obsession, the coffee curfews, and yes… the sidewalk parking.

In this video, I’m sharing the mindset shifts and daily habits that Italians just do differently—and how those lessons rewired the way I think, eat, and live. Some things I love. Some still drive me nuts. But that’s the beauty of it.

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Tenuta Cefalicchio, where I stayed: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AtN4bmML3YnVuK3C6

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28 Comments

  2. @RandallAcquistapace-q9j

    Gregor, truley enjoyed this episode. Im from Stati Uniti. Im in process of moving to Castrovillari Calabria Italy. Love spening time in Tropea. Im solo and learning Italian is essential to your survival.
    ty

  5. @andrea.dalessandro

    It sometimes happens that I haven't eaten at lunch, and so I order a cappuccino with a croissant. But it doesn't happen after 3:30 PM
    The bartender doesn't look at me badly: but I'm Italian and therefore I'm allowed what is despised in a tourist 😆

  6. @bartonone2005

    Buongiorno, Gregor!! Loved this video and found your observations not only interesting but relevant. Years ago, after a divorce, I rented a room, which included "cena," for several years in the home of "familia italiana nativa" living in the US. I'm Italo-Americano, which is not considered a "thing" to native Italians, but I learned a great deal about the culture. Although I hesitate to call myself fluent, a year of studying Italian did help a great deal. I always dreamed of living in Europe, but life got in the way. I did make seven trips over the Atlantic in my time and I'm grateful for those travel opportunities.
    Chuck in Northern New England (within striking distance of Canada)

  7. @fredbrillo1849

    I live near Miami, Florida. It must be the Latin influence because do many people here believe that traffic laws are merely a suggestion. Turn signals? I used them once. 😂😂😂 Love your stuff. My wife and daughter are pursuing dual citizenship. Although I'm second generation Italian American, my Grandfather became a naturalized US citizen and disqualified me for bloodline citizenship. Love your videos.

  8. @fredbrillo1849

    Is it true, that while walking down the street, strangers never make eye contact? I've watched some videos lately and notice they treat each other as if they owe them money, whereas, in the U S, even in New York, a smile usually gets you a return smile from a complete stranger.

  13. @vernonpeterson4021

    Gregor, we missed seeing you recently when we stayed next to the "My Bakery". We left and enjoyed "Fonte Bertusi" outside Pienza. How sweet it was!

  15. @argeliadavilarendon2940

    I literally loved everything you said!👌🏼 And about the cappuccino rules, I heard they drink it early because milk is hard to digest. Whatever the truth is, I don't have any problem following this rule because italians know how to eat properly. I also believe I can fare uno strappo alla regola 😉

  18. @MyTexasLife

    Gregor, I’d love to know what countries or areas outside Italy you’ve visited and would recommend in a multi country trip. Italian focus, but a few close places across borders or quick flights.

  19. @EAMSILVER

    I love the connection to food and the slowness (maybe except for trains) and taking time to savor. We will be there for two weeks+ and hopefully we can enjoy some of that, for sure the food. Thanks Gregor!

  21. @exeter66

    Isn't it ironic?? I parked on an empty crosswalk spot for two minutes in TURN and got a ticket….so much for FREEDOM!!

  22. @Urbohat

    Very happy to be living in the USA.
    How can one be productive with a 3 hour lunch and one hour cappuccino??

    Economics don’t make any sense

    Someone else is subsidizing this lifestyle

  23. @douglasneel4012

    Hi. I spent 7weeks studying Italian at a language school in southern Tuscany. It was a wonderful experience. I just went back for a refresher course and was surprised how many people remembered. While sitting in a park my first morning there, a car drove by , honked, and the driver shouted, “Ciao Douglas.” I was home!

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