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« May Day celebrated with beans | Main | A trip to France » May 9, 2006La Bella FiguraAs the weather warms and signs of summer start to show, the people in Rome - both Romans and foreigners - begin to shed layers. A friend of mine was riding the bus the other [particularly hot] day and was clad in jeans and a tank top. This attire is considered the norm for American university students on a hot day. In Italy, however, the standards differ. The elderly Italian woman sitting next to my friend began to tell her to "put some clothes on," and that my friend was "obscene." My friend tried to politely explain to the woman that it was hot, but the woman (sweating in her cardigan) would hear nothing of it. I found this to be a perfect example of the Italian concept of "La Bella Figura". As it pertains to dress, this is a belief that you should basically look good wherever you go. Sloppy dressers are generally disrespected. I have personally received a number of sideways-glances on the occasions that I run to the store in the morning to buy milk wearing a sweatshirt and sneakers. After tank tops, shoes are the second major faux pas of summer attire. At the restaurant where I work, a girl walked through the dining room and passed by my boss, her flip-flops slapping against her heels the whole way. My boss looked at me and asked, "What are those?" "They're called 'flip-flops'," I explained. My boss looked confused. "Why would anyone wear sandals in the city?" Posted by Kelsea CommentsI could remember when no one would even think of going Down Town without wearing there Sunday Best. Posted by: Bill Coppa at May 9, 2006 9:26 AM "When in Rome..." Posted by: Arthur at May 10, 2006 8:16 AM Thanks for the explaination of La Bella figura. That is a simple and direct explaination. Posted by: anson at October 22, 2006 5:33 AM |
Kelsea Brennan-Wessels is a sophomore at The American University of Rome |
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Comments
I could remember when no one would even think of going Down Town without wearing there Sunday Best.
For Rhode Islanders it all changed when shopping cart shopping started.
It all started with The Atlantic Mills. Then, Warwick shoppers,World, Ann & Hope,And all the rest of the Shopping Cart Shoppers Stores.
Now, If some one is dressed in thier sunday best in church on Sunday He or She is considered an odd ball. La Bella Figura!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Bill Coppa | May 9, 2006 9:26 AM
"When in Rome..."
Posted by: Arthur | May 10, 2006 8:16 AM
Thanks for the explaination of La Bella figura. That is a simple and direct explaination.
It is strange that La Bella figura couldn't be found in Wikipedia. Thanks
Posted by: anson | October 22, 2006 5:33 AM