ita li a n ch at s
Make the most of your enforced downtime with… Dante’s Lockdown Survival Guide By Dante Alighieri Society
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n times of crisis - it is said - Italians give their best, and the coronavirus
Missing aperitivo? Invite friends to online cocktails. Just start an aperitivo
emergency is no exception. Here are some tips on surviving – even
hour on a video conferencing site, sending one or two friends every day
enjoying – life under lockdown (like a true Italian).
an invitation to drinks in front of their laptop (or phone) at a time when we might normally meet in a pub or at each other’s homes. It’s surprising
We are creatures of habit in what we eat, when we work, what TV shows
what a difference it can make to a day of isolation, and to your spirits in
we watch. Right now, all those habits have been shoved out of the window.
general, to see your friends’ faces in the evening and hear them talk and
There’s a lot of confusion, but this is an opportunity to create new habits.
laugh.
So what to try? What’s your new routine? It may be fluid and can change, but what do you want to try? One more thing before we begin our usual top 5. We all know how sad and hard the lockdown time was in Italy, and how families suffered so much during this period. With this article we absolutely don’t want to disrespect anyone, but simply put a smile on our faces; after all, just like Dario Fo said: “(…) soltanto nel divertimento, nella passione e nel ridere si ottiene una vera crescita culturale.” (Only through fun, passion and laughs one could achieve a true cultural growth)
*Scendi il cane pure tu! Take your dog outside as well! *Porto fuori il cane! (correct form of the more colloquial “Scendi il cane”)
If there’s one positive aspect to come out of this pandemic, it’s the increase in pet adoptions nationwide. In Italy people craving companionship in this isolating time are turning to shelters to find their new best friend/ partner in crime. If you previously shied away from getting a dog due to working outside the home, you may now find yourself in an ideal
Prendiamoci uno Spritz da remoto!
situation. But remember that adopting a pet is a commitment and of course a way to claim benefit of some much-needed escape from lockeddown homes.
Let’s have an Aperol Spritz through the webcam!
Dogs can certainly help reduce stress and improve well-being by increasing physical activity. Most dog owners regularly walk their dogs, which of One of the nastiest aspects of the pandemic is that it turns your friends
course also leads to valuable health benefits. However, in cities under
and all that you do to show them affection – hug and kiss; share meals
strict lockdown orders, exceptions are typically made for pet owners for
and drinks – into a deadly threat. And yet, in this appalling moment,
taking them on walks around the neighbourhood which has ultimately
we need our friends more than ever, and it is probably true that our
led to dogs complaining about too much walking during the pandemic.
immune systems do, too. Isolation is bad for a species addicted to social
What are you waiting for? Adopt a dog and put it on a treadmill: it will
intercourse like Italians.
be your passport out for freedom. 24
