Unexpected Kindness During Our Three-Month Italian Journey

My home is in Minnesota, a place known for its friendly residents. Minnesotans smile often, hold doors for each other, and wish each other a nice day. We pride ourselves on what we call “Minnesota Nice,” a cultural stereotype described on Wikipedia as Minnesotans’ unusually courteous, reserved, and mild-mannered demeanor.

This summer, my husband and I lived on both the east and west coasts of Italy for a total of three months. Being in southern Italy, we encountered a depth of kindness that surpassed even our own Minnesota Nice.

Otranto, Italy

Dealing with Back Pain in Otranto

Shortly after arriving in Otranto, Puglia, the eastern region of Italy, I began experiencing severe back pain. Being in a foreign country made the situation daunting. Although I had familiarized myself with their healthcare system beforehand, dealing with an urgent medical issue abroad was scary.

What started as a pinched nerve escalated quickly, jeopardizing our future plans in Italy. During a visit to our favorite local patisserie, I mentioned my pain to the friendly owner. Without hesitation, he called the local urgent care center while his colleague searched for solutions. Leaving his work, he drove my husband and I to the nearest urgent care facility.

While I awaited treatment, he returned to the patisserie and prepared pastries as a gesture of gratitude for the medical staff. After the appointment, he drove us back to our apartment.

For five consecutive nights, I required injections for my back. Since we opted not to rent a car during our stay, walking to the clinic was out of the question due to pain. Upon hearing of our predicament, our landlord arranged for a nurse to visit our apartment and administer the injections. Despite the language barrier, this compassionate nurse refused any payment for her services. Thanks to her care, my pain subsided, and we could resume our Italian adventures.

Getting a Haircut in Otranto

While in Otranto, my husband decided to get a haircut at Stefano’s, a shop we had passed by numerous times. The owner, Stefano, was exceptional – he not only gave a fantastic haircut with plenty of humor and charm but also treated us to espresso, which we gladly accepted.

Referring to himself as Maestro, he took our coffee order, dipped into his register to grab some euros, walked over to a nearby coffee bar, and returned with our order. It was a delightful experience with a warm and talented Italian artisan. My husband says it’s the best haircut he has ever had!

The Maestro

Gathering for Farewell

As our time in Puglia drew to a close, our patisserie-owning friend organized a special farewell. He opened his shop after hours, hosting a small gathering. This was complete with delicious pastries and pizza for us and other acquaintances we had made during our stay. His kindness and the warmth of those we met left a lasting impression.

A Special Train Connection

Our journey continued to the Amalfi Coast, where we encountered more unexpected acts of kindness. On the train journey from one side of the boot to the other, a delay threatened to cause us to miss our second train connection in a tiny remote town. The conductor, anticipating our arrival, communicated ahead to delay the connecting train, only for myself and my husband. He then assisted us in disembarking and ensured we made our connection seamlessly.

Friendly Attitude Is Everywhere

In the town of Minori, on the Amalfi Coast, we met Lucia, a local woman who struck up a conversation with us in a park. Despite limited English, we communicated with the help of Google Translate and our basic Italian. She surprised us by inviting us to her home for homemade tiramisu and limoncello, treating us like old friends. This friendship continues now through occasional messages.

Similar to Minnesota, greetings in Italy often involve friendly exchanges, albeit with a different language: “Buongiorno!” Everywhere we went, locals responded warmly to our greetings, sometimes with surprise at hearing Italian spoken from tourists or Americans. In one memorable instance, while exploring the Centro Storico, a restaurant owner recognized my husband and loudly greeted him with enthusiasm. We were shocked to hear his name shouted out from afar in this bustling Italian town center.

There were a few moments when we found ourselves short a few euros for a purchase. Shop owners would simply say, “Come back tomorrow with the rest,” trusting us without any written agreement.

Loving the People of Italy

We traveled by ferry to the nearby city of Vietri Sul Mare, famous for Italian Ceramics. At the port, we found ourselves far from the city center where we intended to visit. After seeking directions from locals, one kind gentleman first advised us to take a bus but also offered to drive us himself to the picturesque tile-encased wall we had only seen in pictures. Gratefully, we accepted, and his generosity saved us from frustration and confusion.

Ceramics in Vietri Sul Mare

As we prepared to depart Italy, we bid “Arrivederci” to the friends we had made in at numerous shops and cafes along the way. Their heartfelt good wishes and farewells were touching. Our landlord treated us to a memorable dinner at a renowned restaurant with his family.

Another trattoria owner insisted that our final meal at his eatery be on the house, his parting gift to us. A shop owner who knew of my quest for exceptional olive oil presented me with the gift of a jar of his finest, while another friend gifted us two ceramic jars of olive oil from her own establishment, visibly moved as we left for the ferry.

Kindness Draws People In

Being back in our home state of Minnesota, we enjoy the Minnesota Nice all around us. However, the unexpected kindness from Italians has inspired us to begin planning a return trip in the future.

Maiori, Amalfi coast, Italy

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Where have you seen kindness this summer? At home or abroad? Have you shown kindness to somebody? Please share a story!