GRAND VOYAGE ITALY
  • Piazza
    • Older Posts
  • Travel
    • Our Family's Voyage
  • Cucina
  • Culture
  • History
  • Style
  • Photos
  • Videos
    • Music Videos
  • About
    • Survey
    • Links
  • Shop 🛒
  • Piazza
    • Older Posts
  • Travel
    • Our Family's Voyage
  • Cucina
  • Culture
  • History
  • Style
  • Photos
  • Videos
    • Music Videos
  • About
    • Survey
    • Links
  • Shop 🛒
We're All About Italy

Culture

Killer Italian Shoes that Can Actually Maim a Flirt?

4/30/2025

Comments

 
Picture
I understand this was a long time ago, but really, stabbing someone for flirting? If the tipo actually puts his hands on the woman, perhaps. Puncture him all you want.

In reality, I've witnessed pappagalli (parrots or wolves) flirting with pretty ladies walking by in Rome and other Italian cities, and have found their comments are actually complimentary in nature, and because of their culture, can actually be fairly poetic...
  • "Sei così bella che mi fai dimenticare il mio nome". (You’re so beautiful, you make me forget my own name.)
  • "Complimenti alla mamma" (Compliments to your mother).
  • "Nel cielo manca un angelo?" (Is heaven missing an angel?)
  • "Dove sei stata/o tutta la mia vita?" (Where have you been all my life?).
  • "Hai una mappa? Continuo a perdermi nei tuoi occhi."  (Do you have a map? Because I keep getting lost in your eyes!)
  • "Come sei carina/o!" (How cute you are!)
  • "Questo vestito ti sta belissimo." (You look beautiful in this dress.)
  • "Il tuo sorriso è contagioso!" (Your smile is contagious.)
  • "Mi puoi incidere il tuo numero di telefono sul cuore?" (Can you engrave your telephone number on my heart?)
  • "Mi fai sciogliere come il gelato al sole." (You make me melt like ice cream in the sun.)

Flirting is part of life in Italy and it even has a poetic name: fare la civetta, which literally
means "to make like an owl", or as we might say, making googly eyes at a girl. 

When in Italy, young ladies have to keep this in mind: More so than American men, Italian single men--even into their Fifties--actually have a great respect for women. Many single Italian men are actually Mama's boys and traditionally live with their Mamma until they get married! 

No stabbing. Go easy on them. Va bene?

--Jerry Finzi

You might also be interested in:

Fare la Civetta: Flirting in Italy
Expressions of Love in Italian: Finding Love in Italy
Benefits of Kissing Like an Italian
Juliette's House in Verona: Phony! Fake! Falso!
Love Locks in Verona

Picture
Comments

Creepy History of a Venice Carnevale Mask

2/26/2020

Comments

 
Picture
One of the more intriguing aspects of the Venice Carnevale is the beautifully fantastic cartapesta masks attendants wear. Many are colorful, feathery, glittered and elegant. But there is one long, bird-beaked mask that can creep out most who come across it... the Medico della Peste or Dottore Peste (plague doctor).

This birdlike mask wasn't originally designed for the pleasures of Carnevale, but in fact was was invented in the 17th century by French physician Charles de Lorme to protect doctors airborne bacteria and viruses while treating victims of the plague. Carnival goers eventually started wearing a decorated version called Memento Mori, to remind them of their own mortality.
Picture
Picture
In the 1600s, the beak was to be filled with aromatic and medicinal herbs to protect them from putrid air, which at that time was seen as the cause of infection.

Often the city or town paid their fees, and some plague doctors were known to charge patients and their families (especially the wealthy) additional fees for special treatments for false cures. These so called "doctors" were often lay people without medical training, their only apparent useful purpose was in detailing and recording how many of the population were actually affected by plague. Even though these plague doctors offered little real healing, their value to the ruling class and local governments were overly inflated. In Florence and Perugia, doctors were often asked by officials to perform autopsies to help determine how the plague played a role.

The city of Orvieto hired plague doctor Matteo fu Angelo in 1348 for four times the normal annual rate of a traditional doctor. Pope Clement VI hired several extra plague doctors during the Black Death to attend to stricken in Avignon. Of 18 doctors in Venice, only one was left by 1348: five had died of the plague, and 12 were missing and may have fled.
Picture
Their special costume were first used in 1630 in Naples, and spread to be used throughout Europe. The spooky attire consisted of a light, waxed fabric overcoat, a mask with glass goggles and that frightening beak. They carried a scalpel for cutting open blisters (the goggles protected their eyes from the spatter) The wide brimmed hat identified most doctors during this time. Around their neck they wore a pomander which contained more herbs and aromatics--again, to protect themselves. They also kept and chewed raw garlic whenever near the inflicted. Their long cloak went nearly to the ground and was waxed heavily to ward off damp and fleas--possible carriers of the disease. They also carried a long cane to poke and probe patients during examinations and treatments, to avoid actually touching them.
As mentioned earlier, that beak was stuffed with herbs, straw, and spices. The scented materials included juniper berry, ambergris, rose hips, mint, camphor, cloves, laudanum and myrrh.

Historic facts prove that these charlatans in their scary costumes did little to heal or prevent the plague in Italy. The Italian Plague of 1629–1631 was a series of outbreaks of bubonic plague which ravaged northern and central Italy. This epidemic claimed possibly one million lives, or about 25% of the population in these regions. Verona lost over 60% of its citizens. Milan lost 46%. In Venice, one third died.

Stay healthy, amici.

--Jerry Finzi
Picture
Comments

Old Men: Italian Style

9/18/2017

Comments

 
That's right... old men, with Italian Style. Sexy, yes?
Here's how older men look their best in Italy. Take notes.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Comments

Che Palle! Are These Good Fashion Looks?

2/6/2017

Comments

 
Picture
Golden arches? Fast food chic? Really?
Aside from my mainstay of photography--advertising for liquors, jewelry and home furnishings--I used to do some beauty and fashion work. I even did a short stint in Paris. In my time, I've worked with and directed many types of models (some who became household names), stylists and makeup people. While lately I don't really pay close attention to fashion styles and trends, I do see what's going on--at least in my peripheral vision. I will also admit to being fairly opinionated--no more and no less than most creative types.

I'm of the opinion that classic style is timeless. It lasts. It's not really a trend. The best Italian style is exactly that. When we traveled throughout Italy, the best looks were the simplest--sort of like the Italian cuisine versus French. The first is simply prepared with the best ingredients. The latter is overly complicated and at times convoluted.

​Beauty is beauty. Balance, lines, color and texture have certain rules if they are to work well together.

Here are some thoughts on a few looks I've stumbled upon lately... Am I not getting something? 

--Jerry Finzi
Picture
Sorry, but I don't get overly tight jackets... and is that blood spattered on his shorts?
Picture
Hold your hand over the top half, and the skirt is fine--but with that top?
Picture
I think it's time for Mama to buy him a pair of big boy pants.
Picture
The look is tailored. The hair is fighting the look.
Picture
Ah yes... the baseball jacket and tutu trend.
Picture
No.
Picture
Brazilian parrots don't have fur.
Picture
What to wear when visiting the Sphinx.
Comments

What's Worth Buying When in Florence

2/5/2017

Comments

 
Picture
Leather Sandals Made-to-Order in Florence
Picture
To start with, buy one of the wonderful leather and marbled paper journals or sketchbooks to record your Voyage. Not everything has to be captured in digital form, you know. Let the Hemingway in you out and onto the written page. 

Picture
Everyone (men and women) should come back home with a scarf from Florence, tied in that unique, chic manner. This is one case where "better" or a designer name is not necessarily needed. The street vendors have lots of stylish scarves that are affordable. Haggling (it's expected) for a two-for-one price will be part of the story you'll tell friends when you return home. Look for "Fatto in Italia" (made in Italy) labels, but if you really want a more chic version, you can spend a lot more on one of the many shops.  Tip: Ladies should always carry one in case you want to visit one of the many beautiful churches--heads must be covered. 
Picture
There's nothing like the baby's bottom, soft as a feather, Italian leather gloves. And Florence in the place to get some. Just be sure to find a good shop and steer clear of the street vendors cheap imports. 
Picture
Florence is a walking city, but luckily, it is also a city with a time-honored tradition of making the world's best leather shoes. You can find shoe merchants everywhere you look. Some will offer custom shoe design, making shoes to fit your feet exactly, while others will have ready made shoes to pick from. The most affordable option is to have a pair of leather sandals made while you wait, with options of color, leather, lacing all selected by you. 
Picture
Most women would love to buy a Florentine made handbag--if they can afford it. The upscale shops are the safest--and most expensive--option to ensure you're getting high quality leather-goods made in Florence. The street vendors have many handbags imported from China--junk for the tourists made from vinyl. If you want to find a bargain from a street vendor, give the bag (or its strap) a bend and smell it. Leather has an unmistakable scent. Be careful of "bonded leather", which is ground up leather, textured and glued to a fabric base. You can also bring along a BIC lighter and ask the vendor to allow you to do a "flash test"--quickly passing a flame across leather won't hurt it, but vinyl will give off a chemical smell. 
Picture
I know my boy, Lucas would love to do this if we get back to Florence--making marbled papers. There are stationers who specialize in the making of marbleized papers right in their shops. Some offer demonstrations and will even let you make your own. 
Picture
Italy has produced some of the most beautiful and desirable fountain and calligraphy pens in the world. In Florence you'll find small shops that might have that perfect pen, fit for your hands to pen your love letters, notes from your Voyage or your next novel. 
Picture
Tools of the trade in a shop in the Oltrano district
PictureSculptor at work in the Oltrano
Keep in mind when visiting Florence, that you are in a timeless city with centuries-old tradition of artisan crafts, with many maestri (masters) in each of their specific trade-crafts. Many still work with traditional tools and methods, while others have modernized their techniques to suit the increase in demand from the tourist trade. This is a double edged sword. On one had, it is still possible to find the best traditional leathers, jewelry, linens and more. On the other hand, the casual Voyager to Florence has to be wary of shoddy materials, careless workmanship, outright fakes and forgeries and cheap factory-made imports from China. 



A great way to start your search is to take a stroll through medieval streets of the Oltrarno (“other side of the Arno”) neighborhood,  in between Via Maggio and Piazza Pitti.  Walk past the vendors on the Ponte Vecchio to the south bank of the Arno and then a bit west. You will sense that you really stepped back in time into the Renaissance discover a literal maze of artisan workshops in the tiny streets--violin makers, bookbinders, gilders, ceramics, tilemakers, mosaics, calligraphers, clock makers,metal-workers, framers and sculptors. Just remember not to go during riposa, when most Italians close up their shops for 203 hours between 2-3 pm. Early morning or later in the afternoon is best. There are also many little piazza with trattoria to enjoy, sit back and just take it all in... 

--Jerry Finzi

Picture
Jewelry maker in her Oltrano studio
Comments

Snaps of Italian Chic on the Streets of Italy

2/5/2017

Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Comments

Under Construction... 

1/1/2017

Comments

 
Picture
Beginning in January, 2017, Grand Voyage Italy is undergoing a reconstruction: adding new pages, categories and moving older posts to more appropriate pages. If you can't find what you are looking for in this new Lifestyle page, use the Search Box to help find what you need. Grazie! 
Comments
    Picture

    On AMAZON:
    Culture and Traditions

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Architecture
    Arts & Crafts
    Cuisine
    Culture
    Daily Life
    Entertainment
    Expats
    Famiglia
    Fashion
    Festivals
    Genealogy
    HEALTH
    History
    Holidays
    Humor
    Immigration
    La Donna
    Language
    L'Uomo
    Nature
    Religion
    Romance
    Shopping
    Slow Italy
    Traditions
    Travel

    Archives

    March 2025
    April 2024
    January 2024
    October 2022
    June 2021
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016

    RSS Feed

    Books on AMAZON:
    Raised Italian American

    Picture
Copyright 2014 - 2024 by GrandVoyageItaly.com
Picture
  • Piazza
    • Older Posts
  • Travel
    • Our Family's Voyage
  • Cucina
  • Culture
  • History
  • Style
  • Photos
  • Videos
    • Music Videos
  • About
    • Survey
    • Links
  • Shop 🛒