The cultural difference I observed while in Rome is the difference in apparel. After a couple days in Italy, I noticed that the daily outfit choices of people walking around the streets is much different than in the United States. In the USA, a lot of people wear athletic “leisurely” clothing such as leggings, running shorts, tank tops, and cropped shirts. In Rome, this type of clothing is never worn by people walking in the streets. The only time you will see it is when you are at the gym.
It took me a couple of days to notice this cultural difference, but once I did, it became so obvious. I was walking around one day while wearing leggings and a running shirt and I paid attention to everyone’s outfits. After an hour of passing people, I realized that not one person had on clothes similar to me. I also noticed that a lot of the older women I passed would look at me up and down and give me a dirty look. This was a bit shocking and frustrating for me because this type of clothing makes up the majority of my closet. And as an athlete, it is what I feel most comfortable in. For two weeks, I was upset and disappointed at this new reality. However, I eventually had to put myself in their shoes and understand the reasoning behind this cultural difference.
I eventually realized that Italy is a very old-fashioned and traditional country. Many aspects of their cultural traditions have been around for hundreds of years and will remain for the next hundred years. With this said, athleisure clothing is a new and “trending” style that is mostly seen being worn by teenagers and young adults in the United States. So, it makes sense that Italians have not yet, or will not adapt this same style. In addition, when I remove myself from the situation and take away my personal preferences, I can understand how this type of clothing may not be “professional,” or “respectable” enough. It definitely shows more class to wear nice clothes when walking in the city rather than athletic clothing which can look like you just came from the gym. It shows that you put effort into your appearance and respect yourself and others enough to take pride in your outfit choices.
This exercise deepens my understanding of culture by allowing me to reflect on the cultural differences I experienced while in Rome. Fashion is only one aspect of a country’s culture that can be unique. When traveling to new places, it is important to notice these cultural differences, understand their root, and adapt to the changes to respect the country you are in. After living in Rome for four months, I had to make a lot of changes in my behavior to adapt to these cultural differences. It is challenging, but in the end, it shows respect for your host country and helps you immerse yourself in their cultural traditions.