The ROMANS: cheerful, volatile...
yet incredibly hospitable |
|
S.P.Q.R. : it was written beneath the eagles of the Roman legions, today you still find the acronym everywhere, even on Rome's buses, or in all man-holes. It means "Senatus PopulusQue Romanorum": "The Senate and the People of Rome", a clear sign that people have always been the centre of life in Rome.
Although nowadays Rome pulses with the beat of all international metropolis, its people largely retain the original character, blending the new traits with the old ones.
The peculiar personality of the working class always attracted writers, artists, and recently also the film and theatre directors. Endless tales and stories were propagated through the media about the boisterous character, the candid bonhomie, the good-humoured cynism and the fun-loving volgarity of the working class, making them iconic traits of the Romans.
|
|
First Communion at the Sanctuary of Divine Love. Upbringing after religious values is still very popular |
|
MUSIC:
Felicita' (Happyness) by Albano and Romina, 1985
Lyrics (transl. from Italian):
Happiness is... to be hand in hand... it is your innocent look in the midst of people... a glass of wine and a sandwich... it's leaving you a message in the drawer... it's singing with you ... it's a surprise party... an unexpected phone call... and you already hear in the air our love song. |
Yet the personality of the Romans is more complex, and distinctively with many contrasting aspects.
You find nobleness of the soul, combined with opportunism; a remarkable friendliness, combined with carelessness; utmost kindness and politeness, combined with irreverence or roguishness; brilliance, often improvised, and the all-Italian spirit of adaptability, combined with indolence. Add gusto, love of life, of the family and friends, and you have the whole picture. Ambitions and expectations? Why not, however only if they don't interfere dramatically with lifestyle and with the family (let alone with the affairs...).
The bottom line is that the human qualities of the savvy Romans make them happy, unaffected by an increasingly stressful and materialistic world.
(Right): taking a break, at the Spanish Steps. |
|
The upper classes naturally are far more mannerly and sophisticated, spending - or squandering - their time in a most intriguing lifestyle. Yet in Rome the old popular cultural traits are a highly considered reference for all. Romans and Romephiles cherish their memory and actually turn them into a legend, as it occurs with the "Roma Sparita" (the vanished Rome of the last centuries), because this protects Rome's cultural identity.
|
|
Acting helps going by: would-be actors making their living as Roman soldiers by the Coliseum |
Life's most beautiful day, at St. Peter's |
In any event, the most remarkable feature of the Romans is their hospitality, in particular their unobtainable inclination to accept everyone, which is far more valuable than merely "tolerating" other people. In Rome, you will always feel at home, and at ease, more than in any other place in the world. This is why many come to Rome, and just never leave. More on this.
|
|
Could we forget football? Rome's champion Totti's shirt on sale by the Coliseum |
Youngsters love scooters. Apparently reckless as Valentino Rossi, they also know when it's time to drive carefully |
Roman Homes homepage: Rome apartments accommodations vacation rentals and villas |
