No One Walks Alone

In this country that is as technologically as advanced as the US with the use of computers, i-pads, cell phones and every other bit of equipment, there is one distinct difference. I have yet to see someone excuse themselves in a restaurant to take a call, and I have never seen anyone talk on their cell in a restaurant. No anouncements need to be made in any public venues to turn off phones and rarely is someone talking while walking down the street. The greeting "pronto" is "hello" in Italian so its easy to recognize since its only used to answer the phone. Everyone has a cell phone, I have seen them used at the beach and in a outdoor cafe occasionally, but the calls are quick to the point and people do not linger. Most of all when talking they are considerate of others. I have not seen texting at all, i-phones are here but most Italians use a simple cell phone no fancy computer attached. In the US we text constantly, and often have a cell phone attached to our ear while excusing ourselves "just take this call" or text while driving, eating or in the midst of a group activity. Its become normal for us to check our e-mail, the weather, have our "apps" send us messages we feel obliged to view the moment they are sent and "naturally" we have respond to text messages within minutes if possible. Its that little "ping" sound that signals an urgency we seems to respond too. Why has this phenomenon not made its way across the Atlantic? We figured it out..... in Italy what makes the phone thing so different is the joy of the group dynamic. Everywhere you look people are congregated, there seems to be no one that walks alone. Everyone is talking and engaged with the group or person they are with. It would seem totally rude to be with others and have a private conversation, it is just so contrary to the Italian sense of inclusion. So we realize we have been blessed without the constant ringing of cell phones or annoying people talking so loud on a cell you are included in a one sided conversation without your consent. Here if you want to have a conversation just start talking to someone, believe it or not they will answer even if they don't understand a word you are saying.