Cultural differences between Northern and Southern Italy?

Cultural differences between Northern and Southern Italy?

Today we’re going to talk about one of the issues that tourists talk about when we talk about Italy: the very clear difference between northern and southern Italy. I have seen many readers commenting on Italian cultural issues and often there is not much precision in ‘reading’ these differences. It is worth remembering that there are many inhabitants in northern Italy who came from the south, in search of better job opportunities; just as there are several people from the north who preferred to ‘go down’, to live the most of the ‘dolce vita’ in southern lands. Not to mention the different families, both from the south and from the north, who ‘blend up’ and live a little there and a little here! Here at Your Travel to Italy with Ana Patricia you make the trip of your dreams!!! ALSO: see our “Accommodation in Italy – Tips for your holidays!”

Introduction

If we analyze it coldly, in each country there is also a great cultural difference, isn’t there?

Italy is a beautiful country, because it is simply different! We have many regions, many traditions and also many different dialects. If you travel through Italy, you will realize that a Venetian inhabitant may find it difficult to communicate with a native of Sicily. I think it is like that in every place of the word, right? When we talk to some people from other regions (north, northeast, south and southeast) we notice the difference in the accent and some words that we don’t understand, because it is regional.

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Today we’re going to talk about one of the issues that tourists talk about when we talk about Italy: the very clear difference between northern and southern Italy. I have seen many readers commenting on Italian cultural issues and often there is not much precision in ‘reading’ these differences. It is worth remembering that there are many inhabitants in northern Italy who came from the south, in search of better job opportunities; just as there are several people from the north who preferred to ‘go down’, to live the most of the ‘dolce vita’ in southern lands. Not to mention the different families, both from the south and from the north, who ‘blend up’ and live a little there and a little here!

However, at no time it makes us like more or less the north or the south. Of course, there’s always that region that our personality ‘matches’ best, but even if we don’t like certain differences, the important thing is to always respect them, right? As in other countries, here in Italy, when we talk to some people from other regions, the first big difference we notice is, without a doubt, the difference in accent; not to mention the countless words that we do not always understand, as they are regional; maybe that’s what makes it all so interesting, charming and different.

Well then: the Italians themselves point out differences between the northern and southern regions, and there are those who say that there is a small ‘fight’ between the two regions. Dear, just to make it clear, when we talk about north and south in this case, we are talking about Rome above and Rome below; in this topic, they disregard the center region, OK? Let’s take a look at what Southern Italians think about Northern Italians and vice versa? Are you ready? Look:

1) Cultural differences between Northern and Southern Italy?SOUTH X NORTH AND VICE VERSA

What do Southern Italians think about Northern Italians and vice versa?

Northern Italy

• Polentone (which eats a lot of polenta !!);
• Cold;
• Boring;
•  Workaholics.

Southern Italy

• Noisy;
• Terrone (who loves the Earth, cultivating !!);
• Religious;
• Superstitious;
• Family lovers.

People: IT IS NOT A RULE!

There are, of course, exceptions, but the characteristics cited in our short lists are the first characteristics cited by Italians when we ask them this question.

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2) Cultural differences between Northern and Southern Italy – THE CULTURE OF EACH SIDE

As we know the culture of a people derives from its history, so in Italy it could not be different. At the time of Italy’s unification, in 1861, there was a huge gap in the country (between North and South) in many areas, from the social, economic, cultural, linguistic: the north boasted a greater degree of industrialization and literacy, mainly thanks to influences from other European countries; in the south, the mentality rooted in agriculture continued, and for farmers’ families to send a child to school was to lose labor, so it was a luxury that many families could not have.

Northern Development

The reasons why the North was always ahead of the South, at least in some respects, are different, since the Middle Ages thanks to the influences of continental Europe, and with a greater purchasing power it had a more developed economic system; this ensured the presence of university centers, which helped to spread the culture. In the south of Italy, the landowning system for centuries blocked the development of other areas and, consequently, the delay mainly in the part of industrialization and the university system.

Southern Development

However, despite the industrial or economic backwardness, the South can be proud of many other aspects that are definitely neglected above. Living for 14 years in Calabria, having Calabrian friends, a Calabrian husband and a Calabrian family (my husband’s), I can say that the people of the South place more value on some important aspects of life, such as family, traditions, respect for others. It should not be a coincidence that the man from the North is represented as a cold man, attacked at work and always too busy to notice some other aspects of life, while the man from the South is represented as a good man always ready to help others.

The Positive and Negative Aspects

There are positive and negative aspects in both parts of Italy, unfortunately many times the South seems to suffer from some kind of “low esteem”, they forget that a large part of the inhabitants of the north choose to spend their holidays in the south, to get to know its wonderful landscapes and the authenticity of the products that the South offers.

Other differences between north and south

Let’s list some differences between northern and southern Italy.

Culinary Traditions

If there’s one thing Italians appreciate and defend tooth and nail, both in the north and the south, it’s their culinary traditions! There is, there always was and there will always be that delicious brawl to discover the best cuisine in Italy. It is obvious that they will never reach a conclusion, as it is impossible to determine which one is the best and which one leaves something to be desired. Here in Italy this is something that doesn’t exist: we will never know who offers the best cuisine, as the whole Italy is impeccable when it comes to gastronomy. Click here to learn more about Food in Italy!

The time

Time is something that also ‘changes’ between the two regions; I am not referring to the weather, but to the time on the clock itself! In northern Italy, some places don’t make the famous ‘siesta’, that strategic stop right after lunch for a short rest, while in the south, it’s practically the law! People from the north often abominate the practice, while people from the south cannot understand how those in the north live without it! In northern Italy, especially in small towns, many stop, but in big cities, no way. (The same goes for the south: the big tourist cities don’t always manage to stop as they would like, but when they can, they stop and they don’t care if there are tourists or not, if they would earn more or not, and life goes on!)

The weather

Another thing southerners like to ‘flaunt’: the weather! They LOVE to say that the weather in southern Italy is mild all year round, which is not quite true, because when the cold comes here, it does – and merciless! But if we compare the climate of the south with the climate of northern Italy, in fact, our temperatures don’t ‘punish’ us like the low temperatures in the north! Point to the south! Click here to learn more about Weather in Italy!

After all?

North and South love each other ♥, understand each other and, yes, they respect – a lot – the differences between the two regions. They are like brothers: they fight, argue, point out faults here and there, but there is a love and a connection between them that no one will ever change! And that’s what makes Italy so magical!

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Conclusion

Cultural differences between Northern and Southern Italy? The difference between south and north exists, it has always existed and probably it will always exist, and it is precisely these differences that make this country so wonderful! And if you need help to organize your trip, don’t hesitate to contact me! I will love to help you make your dream trip to Italy come true.

If you feel insecure or have no time, and need help to organize your trip, do not hesitate to look for me! I will love to help you make your dream trip to Italy. And how can I do that? Continue reading this post until the end and you will understand how can we make your life and journey easier 

Did my post help you? If yes, make sure to leave your comment below, but if you still have questions, just leave them as a comment below and I will reply, O.K.?