The Perception of Time in Italy vs. United States

As an American expat living in the south of Italy, one thing I’ve noticed that is vastly different in Italy vs. the U.S. is the perception of time.

In the U.S., we’re always in a hurry…

…we have no time…

…we believe time is money…

…and we hate wasting time.

In Italy, we have all the time in the world. And despite the long lines you often find yourself in, you will rarely see an Italian get upset about the wait.

At the Doctor’s Office

Today I went to the doctor for the first time. I wasn’t sick but needed a referral for other services. I entered the tiny waiting room and there were five other people already waiting for the same doctor as me.

Knowing that things often take longer than they would in the U.S., I settled in with my driving school app to pass the time taking quizzes.

One woman was pacing the waiting room, clearly frustrated about the wait, given that she obviously didn’t feel well. The other women were yammering on about how stupid it is that some people treat their dogs like their children (Italians love connecting on just about any subject!).