Nightlife

Since being here in Rome, I now have a new outlook on going out to eat. In America we want our service quick and easy. Back home I know that it is very common to make plans for dinner and a movie. Well here in Italy it seems that when you plan to go out to eat with friends, that is the main event. Eating dinner here can take anywhere from an hour to two hours. You notice with the service that they are very slow. It took me a while to realize that it wasn't poor service we are getting when we go out to eat, it's just the way they do it in this culture. People don't focus the majority of their time here on their jobs like we do in America. It's more important to enjoy themselves and take advantage of their down time. They aren't always on the go or in a rush. It's almost as if you want to "grab a bite to eat" you go to a bar. If you want a meal be prepared to set aside a few hours because it will most likely be the main event of the night. I think that is why a lot of resturaunts are also open so late here. I have noticed that almost all of them are open for lunch and then close for a few hours before opening back up in the evenings for dinner and stay open till midnight or so. It is definitly an adjustment but it's kind of nice to see people sitting around you enjoying a meal with other people and not scarfing their food down in a hurry. They take their time here and enjoy the small things in life that we almost take for granted. This is definitley one thing I will miss about Rome.