What a beautiful way to live life! Love this reflection and we need more of this spirit in the States.
I had a doctor appointment before work the other day and debated whether I should stop to treat myself to a coffee on my way home when I could just as easily make it at home... I nearly talked myself out of it because it felt frivolous. But I’m so glad I went because it was delicious and turned out to be one of the highlights of my day! Now next time I will get a pastry too 😉
Morganne! I’m so happy you stopped for the coffee! Yes for the pastry too! Yours is the first message I’m reading upon waking up today and it’s a happy and inspiring way to start the day. Thank you! 😊
I’m conflicted! I LOVE raising bambino but I do think questions about Italian living are broader than parenting in Italy. Sorry, not very helpful. I wonder if u just move this content under weeknight pasta? The pasta recipe can always be there but the content prefacing it can incorporate all these topics! So, “weeknight pasta from Italy” (plus thoughts from an American living in Italy.
Oooooh Emma! Thank you! This is something else I'd thought of so I'm so glad you thought of it too. I lean towards keeping them separate, but since you've also had the idea, let me look into how I could format something like that without creating pure chaos or losing visibilty of one or the other!
Thank you for this Lolly! In Brooklyn, “grabbing a coffee” means to go to a nearby coffee bar and “fare due chiacchiere” after drop off or with other freelance friends on a day neither of us happen to be working, but never ever before a work day! BUT we do always take a few minutes for coffee once we get to work. That’s city life, of course; I’d imagine it’s different in the suburbs.
It’s a huge part of our lifestyle here in NYC, but then, NYC has been accused of being its own little state.
Haha! Love this, Victoria! Thank you for giving me this insider look into Brooklyn/NYC coffee life! I lived in Manhattan before Italy (but never as a mom) and you’re right, I NEVER met people for coffee before work. Just never. Fare due chiacchiere! You speak Italian and/or you are Italiana? ❤️
I imagine getting coffee in the US is a one hour commitment. Not sure about uk of course. But here in naples it’s the same, parents and moms often have a quick one. I see them at the bars near the school. I started going too before work a few days per week just to get some socialization in!
You rock. I do the same. I find that these little bursts of socializing are so good for creating bonds with the people in my neighborhood (isn't this a Sesame Street song?!) I love that you're doing it too. I'm finding myself quite sad about this coffee thing in the US. I do remember though when I was looking at schools in Chicago, the moms would hang out in front of the school after drop-off and chat outside - so there's that! Do you love strong Napolitano coffee now?
Mmmm yummy. I hear you about the availability. We are very lucky. I’m testing what it’s like to only get caffè outside the house. I stopped making it at home. It forces me to take little mini breaks to go out!
In the UK, when my son was in Waldorf school, grabbing a coffee meant sitting in a coffee shop and talking for an hour or two. My daughter is now in mainstream school, and just like your American friend, I avoid coffee mornings.
In the 5 years my son was in the Waldorf school, there was no “quick coffee”. Schools sometimes organise coffee mornings, which usually run for an hour as well. When I went to Italy a few years ago, I noticed that the locals were quick to drink their coffee, unlike me :) Also, in the UK, no idea how it is in Italy; a lot of people work in coffee shops and, since the pandemic, in some pubs as well. The habit/tradition is to go, sit down, drink, do work or read a book. Maybe British coffee shops mirror the British tea rooms.
Ah, so interesting! That sounds similar to the coffee mornings at the International School here in Italy where I worked for a while. They were 1 hour. The parents (mostly moms) who attended didn't work or had to especially arrange to go to work late because of the format. Difficult for working parents. Such a shame that there seems to be no option for a quick tea or coffee! I really like how you analyzed it though! People rarely, very rarely work in coffee shops here. That is not the culture. Bars (what we call coffee shops) are a social place or place to eat and drink good food and beverage.
Pubs used to be for socialising, but many closed during and after Covid. A lot struggled before, too. In the afternoon and evening, pubs are definitely for socialising. Some pubs are trying to "reinvent" themselves to stay afloat, so they open up in the mornings for those who don't work at the office. More people socialise in coffee shops during the weekends; I hardly ever see anyone working in a coffee shop during the weekend. There is also the British cafe, which is def. for socialising and eating. Cafes are less "polished" than coffee shops, and I feel very authentic to the British culture. I don't think the coffee mornings at schools are aimed at working parents; the timings always crash with those who work. When you are in London next time, you could go to a cafe for breakfast or lunch and compare the vibes. (Sorry for writing an essay :))
This is fascinating about the pubs, Magda! In fact when I was recently in London, one of my work colleagues mentioned how the pubs were empty and struggling. I don't even know what a british cafe is. I wonder if I've been to one. What would be an example?
I’ve just discovered your column and really enjoy it (I also lived in Italy). As my kids are now grown, I’m most interested in your Italian life, which of course also includes your experience as a mother. As a reader, that’s of secondary interest to me. Thank you for sharing your experience:)
I was in Piemonte, in Cellio, a town/village of 600 people. No other Americans and it took about 8 years (of visiting, not living there full-time), before anyone ever said anything to me in English…
I woukd love to read about italian everyday life such as this. I'm a mother of older teens in U.s and love hearing about small nuances of life that are not hollywood.
I LOVE after car-pool coffee. 😊. My kids are grown now, but it hasn’t been that long. (Oh I’m from Louisiana). I think you are right, in general, Americans rush too much, don’t stop to smell the roses enough…but I meet a lot of outlaws like me here, so there is hope. 😊
Of course my children went to Montessori school…here usually a symbol of more progressive, woo-woo, hippie parents.😂.
What a beautiful way to live life! Love this reflection and we need more of this spirit in the States.
I had a doctor appointment before work the other day and debated whether I should stop to treat myself to a coffee on my way home when I could just as easily make it at home... I nearly talked myself out of it because it felt frivolous. But I’m so glad I went because it was delicious and turned out to be one of the highlights of my day! Now next time I will get a pastry too 😉
Morganne! I’m so happy you stopped for the coffee! Yes for the pastry too! Yours is the first message I’m reading upon waking up today and it’s a happy and inspiring way to start the day. Thank you! 😊
I’m conflicted! I LOVE raising bambino but I do think questions about Italian living are broader than parenting in Italy. Sorry, not very helpful. I wonder if u just move this content under weeknight pasta? The pasta recipe can always be there but the content prefacing it can incorporate all these topics! So, “weeknight pasta from Italy” (plus thoughts from an American living in Italy.
Oooooh Emma! Thank you! This is something else I'd thought of so I'm so glad you thought of it too. I lean towards keeping them separate, but since you've also had the idea, let me look into how I could format something like that without creating pure chaos or losing visibilty of one or the other!
Thank you for this Lolly! In Brooklyn, “grabbing a coffee” means to go to a nearby coffee bar and “fare due chiacchiere” after drop off or with other freelance friends on a day neither of us happen to be working, but never ever before a work day! BUT we do always take a few minutes for coffee once we get to work. That’s city life, of course; I’d imagine it’s different in the suburbs.
It’s a huge part of our lifestyle here in NYC, but then, NYC has been accused of being its own little state.
Haha! Love this, Victoria! Thank you for giving me this insider look into Brooklyn/NYC coffee life! I lived in Manhattan before Italy (but never as a mom) and you’re right, I NEVER met people for coffee before work. Just never. Fare due chiacchiere! You speak Italian and/or you are Italiana? ❤️
My father was from Lugano and my mother’s side from Sicilia però tanti tanti anni fa.
I imagine getting coffee in the US is a one hour commitment. Not sure about uk of course. But here in naples it’s the same, parents and moms often have a quick one. I see them at the bars near the school. I started going too before work a few days per week just to get some socialization in!
You rock. I do the same. I find that these little bursts of socializing are so good for creating bonds with the people in my neighborhood (isn't this a Sesame Street song?!) I love that you're doing it too. I'm finding myself quite sad about this coffee thing in the US. I do remember though when I was looking at schools in Chicago, the moms would hang out in front of the school after drop-off and chat outside - so there's that! Do you love strong Napolitano coffee now?
Yes - but I drink decaf! And I love how it's always available and high quality :)
Mmmm yummy. I hear you about the availability. We are very lucky. I’m testing what it’s like to only get caffè outside the house. I stopped making it at home. It forces me to take little mini breaks to go out!
In the UK, when my son was in Waldorf school, grabbing a coffee meant sitting in a coffee shop and talking for an hour or two. My daughter is now in mainstream school, and just like your American friend, I avoid coffee mornings.
Ah! This is so interesting, Magda! Thank you for commenting. So there’s no happy medium or “grab a quick coffee” concept?
In the 5 years my son was in the Waldorf school, there was no “quick coffee”. Schools sometimes organise coffee mornings, which usually run for an hour as well. When I went to Italy a few years ago, I noticed that the locals were quick to drink their coffee, unlike me :) Also, in the UK, no idea how it is in Italy; a lot of people work in coffee shops and, since the pandemic, in some pubs as well. The habit/tradition is to go, sit down, drink, do work or read a book. Maybe British coffee shops mirror the British tea rooms.
Ah, so interesting! That sounds similar to the coffee mornings at the International School here in Italy where I worked for a while. They were 1 hour. The parents (mostly moms) who attended didn't work or had to especially arrange to go to work late because of the format. Difficult for working parents. Such a shame that there seems to be no option for a quick tea or coffee! I really like how you analyzed it though! People rarely, very rarely work in coffee shops here. That is not the culture. Bars (what we call coffee shops) are a social place or place to eat and drink good food and beverage.
Pubs used to be for socialising, but many closed during and after Covid. A lot struggled before, too. In the afternoon and evening, pubs are definitely for socialising. Some pubs are trying to "reinvent" themselves to stay afloat, so they open up in the mornings for those who don't work at the office. More people socialise in coffee shops during the weekends; I hardly ever see anyone working in a coffee shop during the weekend. There is also the British cafe, which is def. for socialising and eating. Cafes are less "polished" than coffee shops, and I feel very authentic to the British culture. I don't think the coffee mornings at schools are aimed at working parents; the timings always crash with those who work. When you are in London next time, you could go to a cafe for breakfast or lunch and compare the vibes. (Sorry for writing an essay :))
This is fascinating about the pubs, Magda! In fact when I was recently in London, one of my work colleagues mentioned how the pubs were empty and struggling. I don't even know what a british cafe is. I wonder if I've been to one. What would be an example?
A British cafe is also called a greasy spoon. They usually serve English breakfast and lunch, which is pretty affordable, builders tea and coffee.
Yes, I do often eat in cafes or meet up with friends, but I wouldn't work in one.
No idea where you were staying last time, but this is a guide I found online, which might be useful next time you are in London: https://jamesdimitri.co.uk/2023/12/18/london-greasy-spoon-guide/
I’ve just discovered your column and really enjoy it (I also lived in Italy). As my kids are now grown, I’m most interested in your Italian life, which of course also includes your experience as a mother. As a reader, that’s of secondary interest to me. Thank you for sharing your experience:)
Thank you so much for commenting and sharing your interests, Amy! This helps me so much. ❤️ Where did you live in Italy before?
I was in Piemonte, in Cellio, a town/village of 600 people. No other Americans and it took about 8 years (of visiting, not living there full-time), before anyone ever said anything to me in English…
Where are you?
Incredible. What an experience. Why were you there? I’m in Como. Before I lived at the edge of a village of 1000 so I have some idea what you mean
I’m sure! I was married to an Italian😊. Haha the most common reason, no?
It’s why I’m here too. Was married to an Italian ;-)
I woukd love to read about italian everyday life such as this. I'm a mother of older teens in U.s and love hearing about small nuances of life that are not hollywood.
I LOVE after car-pool coffee. 😊. My kids are grown now, but it hasn’t been that long. (Oh I’m from Louisiana). I think you are right, in general, Americans rush too much, don’t stop to smell the roses enough…but I meet a lot of outlaws like me here, so there is hope. 😊
Of course my children went to Montessori school…here usually a symbol of more progressive, woo-woo, hippie parents.😂.