It's the reaction that counts.

Writing thoughts, in English, thinking in a completely sarcastic and American view point, and then commenting on another's culture in what may seem to be an impolite and one sided manner seemed just natural, but then I realized that people are actually reading what I am writing, and maybe a little more time and thought should go into what I publish on a whim. That's why the literary world has editors. This is in response to my last blog, about the superficiality of Italian culture. It was titled What's in a Name? It appears to be more about what's in the brains of people than in the names associated with locations and styles.

My friend Ilaria, an Italian girl, read my blog and it upset her. She went on to make valid points that I am usually surrounded by Italian youth, who have yet to form their identities, and that I see them primarily on Friday and Saturday after the work week.

The major thing here is that I felt wrong in upsetting people I cared about. I wouldn't be here in Italy if not for them. Shit, they're the reason I came back to this country anyway, so if I have complaints to make I should have thought about that decision before coming here.