325 Blog 5

In class the other day, we discussed the difference between European leisure and American leisure. Is leisure a lost art for Americans? After spending a day in the Borghese Gardens (basically the “Central Park” of Rome), I was able to relax and collect my thoughts on what it means to chill out.
In America, it seems that when people travel or lounge, it is always considered a “break.” When Americans relax, it is in order to gain their energy back to complete the next day’s work. It would appear that Americans actually work too hard, because their leisure time is always focused on their work. Or perhaps Americans simply focus more on their careers as the defining aspect of their life.
In Europe, on the other hand, leisure time seems to have less focus on regaining energy, and more focus on enjoying one’s self in that moment. This may be because Italians seem to worry less about what they do for a living than in the United States. In Italy, and Rome in particular, social status does not seem to matter. Luigi Barzini acknowledges this in "The Italians." He says that “the tiring game of extracting social recognition from others and expensively impressing the world with one’s own fortune, name or rank, is played by a relatively small minority of Italians,” and many of these have foreign ties. Italians do not gawk over Ferraris in the road, nor does a wealthy Italian man stick his nose up to an average Roman citizen. It is known that the one man has more wealth and power, but conversation between the two men will seem as if two old friends just ran into each other. Also, Italians seem to enjoy their average jobs more than Americans. Owners of small shops and restaurants are incredibly enthusiastic when attempting to serve you. Whenever I enter a store, I suddenly wish I could speak fluent Italian. I want to be able to engage the owners in conversation, because they seem so anxious to speak to me about anything. Barzini also explained this phenomenon by saying that it is each Italian’s duty to make one another feel important. For example, as I browse through stores, shop owners will often create deals that are “just for me.” This is especially noticeable when Danilo is with us, because he is Italian and usually knows the owners of the shops. They each attempt to make each other feel special, and each Italian is expected to return these small favors.
For our class activity on Monday, we were required to enter the Borghese Gardens and relax. When we arrived at the park, we sat to eat some sandwiches we had bought. I immediately realized that our class discussion was very accurate. As we started walking around the park, I realized that I was thinking about the things that I had to do later that day. Particularly, I had to read some of my books and write this blog. I had brought one of my books with me to the city, but I felt that if I sat in the park and started to read it, I would be failing my class assignment. So, I left my book in Ben’s bag and broke from the group. I walked by myself for a while and took in the atmosphere of the park. I snapped a few pictures, sat on a bench and people-watched, and discovered a few statues and fountains. By being in the park, I realized how adjusted I had become to living in Rome. If we had gone to the Borghese Gardens in our first week, I would have had taken a thousand pictures, walked at a quick pace, and my eyes would have been wide. Instead, I was able to relax in a park in a city that felt like home. I did the same things in the Borghese Gardens as I would have done in a park at home. The only difference is that I was in Rome. I realized in a moment what this entire experience of living in another country means. This trip will shape who I am for the rest of my life. The fact that I feel at home now in an entire different culture in a different country is incredible. I am not sure what it will mean for me, but I know it will somehow make me a better person. Well cultured, mature, and more confident (or at least more comfortable) than ever before.
Because I realized these things, I finally felt that I had accomplished my goals for the class. It was Aristotle’s philosophy that leisure time should be used to improve one’s self. It is difficult to explain how this improvement comes about. Through introspection, communicating with others freely, and simply letting one’s mind be free, we can come to new conclusions about who we are. Regardless of how I use my leisure time (to regain energy for work, or simply to enjoy myself), I feel that I am capable of improving myself through relaxation. And I feel that the Borghese Gardens are a great place to do this.