The Neighborhood Community in Italy

By Angie Branaes

When you spend some time in Italy, you quickly discover how friendly people are and how easy it is to become part of the neighborhood community. Neighbors often greet each other with a smile and say, “Buongiorno! Come sta?”. Sometimes, they even invite you over for a meal.

If they invite you, come hungry! Even a casual get-together often turns into a multi-course meal with delicious local dishes. In Tuscany, you might eat local salumi and homemade lasagna. In Liguria, people often serve salads, vegetable tarts, and pasta with pesto. At the end of the meal, there is always something sweet and an espresso.

In Italian towns, people love to grow their own food. Even balconies often have lemon trees, tomato plants, or pots of fresh herbs. Neighbors might give you some of their fruit or vegetables if you stop to say hello and compliment their harvest with something like, “Che pomodori bellissimi!” It’s all part of the generous, community-focused spirit.

Sarzana, which borders Tuscany and Liguria, is one such town. It’s small enough to feel welcoming, but big enough to have charming shops, summer concerts and a weekly market. If you take the time to chat with people, you’ll feel like a local in no time.

When you learn a few simple Italian phrases, it’s easier to make friends and feel part of the neighborhood community. A warm smile and a “Buongiorno! Come sta?” go a long way.

I’m proud to collaborate with the Italian Language Foundation, which supports Italian language learning across the United States.