It is unfathomable that I have been abroad in Rome for two months now. Within these two months I have been taken aback by some cultural aspects. One big shock to me was the concept of “siesta breaks”. Italians and many other European cultures love the idea of a mid-afternoon rest break. These breaks typically happen when temperatures are high at the very end of the afternoon. For Italians, siesta occurs anywhere from 3 PM – 5 PM. When first coming to Rome, I found this extremely challenging because I would go to school all during the day. After classes, I would need to go shopping for something that is a necessity to find the store or restaurant closed. Employees work from early morning and then take 3-5 hour breaks in the middle of the day to rest. Then stores open back up at 7. The first month of going through the struggle and not being adjusted to this cultural shock was hard. But, I am starting to further understand why this concept is important to italians.
Many areas in Rome, specifically Trastevere, are full of small shops. With a small shop, there are very few employees or even a singular employee working all day. Having breaks in the middle of the day allows small shop owners/employees to go and take a well needed break to sit and relax or eat lunch. To foreigners the concept of siesta is annoying and unnecessary but when you look at it from a new perspective you start to understand why it is important and grow to enjoy it. Funny enough, I actually found myself growing a custom to this concept so much so that I take siestas and without them I find myself tired and worn out by the end of day. After school and classes for me end, I go back to my apartment and take a quick siesta break and then get right back to my homework. This tiny break helps fuel me through the rest of the night and increases my productivity.
Overall, yes just as any other student on this trip I did have a little bit of a cultural shock when coming to Rome but I can proudly say I have learned to love it and integrate it into my life now.