The Secret of Italy: Buongiorno

 

 

There’s something special about the way people greet each other in Italy.

It’s like music.

Poetry.

Art.

Buongiorno.

Say it aloud with me.

Really elongate the second syllable.

Buon-gioooooor-no.

Contrast it with hey–or hello, what’s up or good morning.

They’re not bad, but they’re not exactly crepes falling from your lips, either.

Buongiorno.

(Let me hear the music in it.)

The greeting creates a closeness between people that’s palpable–even among total strangers.

I remember walking into a cafe with Stefania, my friend from Camucia. Tipping his head, the barista said buongiorno and smiled.

I have rarely felt so welcomed.

 

Maybe it’s unfair to try to distill the essence of Italy from a single greeting.

But it all starts with buongiorno.

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as always, thanks for sharing