Comments on: Learning Lessons In Confidence Thanks to the Italians http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/ running towards the things that matter, like boys & whiskey & stuff. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:19:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Lauren http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/comment-page-1/#comment-300 Lauren Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:42:24 +0000 http://www.alifeintranslation.com/?p=133#comment-300 Jamie I absolutely love this post and your writing style. I couldn't agree with you more about how up front Italians are and most Europeans as well. I've lived in Spain the last three summers and have had to get used to this. I agree though I would rather someone but up front and honest then BS you to make you feel better. Confidence is sexy and the Italians got it down!! Sometimes they are a little tooo confident and forward, as I see you're also experiencing!! haha Take it with a grain of salt and embrace their culture, they don't mess around!! :) Enjoy your travels and I look forward to reading your posts in the future! Jamie I absolutely love this post and your writing style. I couldn’t agree with you more about how up front Italians are and most Europeans as well. I’ve lived in Spain the last three summers and have had to get used to this. I agree though I would rather someone but up front and honest then BS you to make you feel better. Confidence is sexy and the Italians got it down!! Sometimes they are a little tooo confident and forward, as I see you’re also experiencing!! haha Take it with a grain of salt and embrace their culture, they don’t mess around!! :) Enjoy your travels and I look forward to reading your posts in the future!

]]> By: Elena http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/comment-page-1/#comment-122 Elena Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:32:58 +0000 http://www.alifeintranslation.com/?p=133#comment-122 Smashing! Now I know why I am so in love with Italy and Italians! Thanks Smashing! Now I know why I am so in love with Italy and Italians! Thanks

]]> By: Steve Errey - The Confidence Guy http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/comment-page-1/#comment-120 Steve Errey - The Confidence Guy Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:25:54 +0000 http://www.alifeintranslation.com/?p=133#comment-120 Spot on Jamie. It's that simplicity that I love too; that knowing who you are, what really matters to you and what doesn't matter. It gives you a sense of clarity and self-confidence that's entirely natural and effortless. It's my mission to bring that to the UK and USA! Spot on Jamie. It’s that simplicity that I love too; that knowing who you are, what really matters to you and what doesn’t matter.

It gives you a sense of clarity and self-confidence that’s entirely natural and effortless.

It’s my mission to bring that to the UK and USA!

]]> By: Katy http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/comment-page-1/#comment-116 Katy Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:53:45 +0000 http://www.alifeintranslation.com/?p=133#comment-116 So true! I think I need to become more Italian... So true! I think I need to become more Italian…

]]> By: Lia Halsall http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Lia Halsall Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:42:09 +0000 http://www.alifeintranslation.com/?p=133#comment-114 Sounds to me like you're newly chosen although challenging at times is agreeing with you. You spirit and soul sound free yet some what refreshed. I'm enjoying your posts, look forward to the next one. ;o) Sounds to me like you’re newly chosen although challenging at times is agreeing with you. You spirit and soul sound free yet some what refreshed.

I’m enjoying your posts, look forward to the next one. ;o)

]]> By: Theresa Taylor http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Theresa Taylor Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:19:10 +0000 http://www.alifeintranslation.com/?p=133#comment-113 Give me for instance? What are they saying so brutally honest to you? When I went to England for instance I felt the people there were very direct and restrained, like they have no emotion. They smile just a snap and then off with you. ( I think that's where Cheeky comes from). Anyway, Unlike the Italians where they like to talk alot and talk with their hands, they can be so emotional. Different countries different ways of life. So great that you can see and have the insight. Love the adventure!!! See you soon...Miss you Lots!!! Give me for instance? What are they saying so brutally honest to you? When I went to England for instance I felt the people there were very direct and restrained, like they have no emotion. They smile just a snap and then off with you. ( I think that’s where Cheeky comes from). Anyway, Unlike the Italians where they like to talk alot and talk with their hands, they can be so emotional. Different countries different ways of life. So great that you can see and have the insight. Love the adventure!!!

See you soon…Miss you Lots!!!

]]> By: nicole antoinette http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/comment-page-1/#comment-112 nicole antoinette Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:28:50 +0000 http://www.alifeintranslation.com/?p=133#comment-112 You're so never coming back. You’re so never coming back.

]]> By: Grace Boyle http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/comment-page-1/#comment-108 Grace Boyle Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:24:47 +0000 http://www.alifeintranslation.com/?p=133#comment-108 This always surprised me as well. When I was in a digital photography course there I remember my teacher telling another student, "No, I just don't like it. The foto, isn't good." We all sort of looked at him, mouths gaping, but then realized it's nice to hear the honest truth. He could have put it another way (many think to say this) but that's just how Italians are. We're so used to be being polite or hiding what we really think that it seems unhealthy. Since I am Italian, sometimes I feel like I just blurt things out and say things because that's the way I feel. No sugar coating. But in America, it's often looked down upon. I've grown to tactfully measure American with my Italian-ness. Quite honestly, I just like to hear it exactly how it is. If it's offending sometimes, think how nice it is when it's a true compliment. They really mean it, always. This always surprised me as well. When I was in a digital photography course there I remember my teacher telling another student, “No, I just don’t like it. The foto, isn’t good.” We all sort of looked at him, mouths gaping, but then realized it’s nice to hear the honest truth. He could have put it another way (many think to say this) but that’s just how Italians are.

We’re so used to be being polite or hiding what we really think that it seems unhealthy. Since I am Italian, sometimes I feel like I just blurt things out and say things because that’s the way I feel. No sugar coating. But in America, it’s often looked down upon. I’ve grown to tactfully measure American with my Italian-ness. Quite honestly, I just like to hear it exactly how it is. If it’s offending sometimes, think how nice it is when it’s a true compliment. They really mean it, always.

]]> By: Jenny Blake http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Jenny Blake Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:29:15 +0000 http://www.alifeintranslation.com/?p=133#comment-107 Such an insightful take on what can feel like "brutal honesty" from other cultures. I can see how they are not trying to be insulting, but genuinely looking out for others' happiness (even if it is still based on their own idea of what that might be). And it's so true that in America we are coddled into buying things with effusive praise, to the point where I want to believe it when someone in a store says something looks nice - but I just can't. I end up asking fellow patrons for a second opinion instead. Have a fantastic Italian week, my dear! Miss you to pieces!! Such an insightful take on what can feel like “brutal honesty” from other cultures. I can see how they are not trying to be insulting, but genuinely looking out for others’ happiness (even if it is still based on their own idea of what that might be).

And it’s so true that in America we are coddled into buying things with effusive praise, to the point where I want to believe it when someone in a store says something looks nice – but I just can’t. I end up asking fellow patrons for a second opinion instead.

Have a fantastic Italian week, my dear! Miss you to pieces!!

]]> By: Kerri http://www.alifeintranslation.com/2009/09/learning-lessons-in-confidence-thanks-to-the-italians/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Kerri Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:23:40 +0000 http://www.alifeintranslation.com/?p=133#comment-106 GREAT post. This is something I definitely needed to hear (er, read), so thanks. It's so true, I thought the same thing over and over when I was over in Italy (same thing in France)...the men and the women are just dripping with confidence, and not just because they're tan, Italian sex gods with their long limbs draping off their Vespas. Not because they casually sip cappucinos like they mean it, or make talking with their hands another whole language. All in all there's a general sense of honesty in how they live and experience and communicate and love over there. I think that's why they're so enviably passionate -- because passion comes from believing in something so much that you don't care what gets in your way -- you say it like you mean it, you live it like you mean it. It's commendable. I would LOVE to live like an Italian. :) BTW, did you take that photo? GORGEOUS. GREAT post. This is something I definitely needed to hear (er, read), so thanks. It’s so true, I thought the same thing over and over when I was over in Italy (same thing in France)…the men and the women are just dripping with confidence, and not just because they’re tan, Italian sex gods with their long limbs draping off their Vespas. Not because they casually sip cappucinos like they mean it, or make talking with their hands another whole language. All in all there’s a general sense of honesty in how they live and experience and communicate and love over there. I think that’s why they’re so enviably passionate — because passion comes from believing in something so much that you don’t care what gets in your way — you say it like you mean it, you live it like you mean it. It’s commendable. I would LOVE to live like an Italian. :)

BTW, did you take that photo? GORGEOUS.

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