THE TERRAZZA LAW

In The New Italians, Charles Richards reports about an Italian journalist Beppe Severgnini, who explains

 why Italians are so different from the English.

First, he says, you must ‘learn the Terrazza Law. Italians always seem to be on the point of blowing their tops, but never do. We like our country (the weather, the towns, the food, the wine, the charming people) as much as foreigners do. We may have had a lousy day. We may have been told that we are going to have to pay more taxes because someone in government has made off with another few billion lire. But in the evening we can have a meal al fresco with our friends, maybe on a terrazza under a clear sky; and our bitterness evaporates. This is the Terrazza Law.’

Here we are back at relationships again! The Italians have figured out that taking a daily break for relaxation and camaraderie with family and good friends is the perfect deterrent to becoming overwhelmed with the hardships of life.

Hmmm! Sounds like it works well and is lots of fun. I think I’ll try it. How about you?