Discover an Expert's Secrets for Living Like an Italian… Anywhere

By Raelennn D'Agostino Mautner*

When editor Stefano Vaccara invited me to collaborate on his new magazine A & I Weekly, I couldn’t wait to become a part of this innovative project that seeks to strengthen communication and understanding between Italy and the U.S. In my own small way, through my writing and research, I have been trying to achieve the same objective for many years now. One of the most effective ways to do this is to make Italian matters accessible to those who share a passion for Italy and its culture, yet for various reasons cannot speak or read Italian—either because the language has faded across generations, or because they never learned it to begin with.
Writing “Living La Dolce Vita: Bring the Passion, Laughter, and Serenity of Italy into Your Daily Life” was one way for me to preserve my Italian heritage in a positive way for generations to come. The book deals with the psychological principles of well-being “all’italiana” or Italian-style, as I experienced them growing up, and as I observe them today through the impartial eyes of a researcher. These tenets, as it turns out, are universal. They are the timeless invariants of well-being and happiness that work for all of us, whether Italian or not. I would like to revisit some of these ideas with you in this weekly column.
I don’t blame you if you are thinking, with all of the somber and frightening events unfolding every day on the global front, how can we even bring ourselves to care about something as “frivolous” as a dolce vita lifestyle?” I asked myself that same question. Fortunately, both the psychologist and the Italian in me answers that question in a very clear and unwavering voice. The tougher times are, the more we need to learn how to put things back into perspective. The key to serenity lies in finding balance in our lives. I knew that if I could help others to understand this cross- cultural perspective on well-being, then I might have made a small contribution towards making this world a sweeter place, in the face of the unrelenting harshness of our daily reality.
My column for A & I Weekly will cover contemporary Italian and Italian-American lifestyle issues from a psychological and social perspective. I want to get right to the ideas that are important to you, and I will depend upon your letters and e-mails to keep me informed as to what those issues are. Perhaps you ‘d like to examine what really drives America’s fascination with the gangster image. Maybe you are concerned about the negative impact this kind of ethnic stereotyping is having on our society. Let’s exchange ideas about how we can preserve a positive cultural-esteem for our children and ourselves. On a lighter note, another topic you might be “attracted” to is the philosophy of la bella figura and how personal image affects your behavior and the way others react to you. The time-tested practice of looking good and carrying yourself with elegance has beneficial effects that apply to modern-day cultures as well. Psychological studies validate the relationship between image and self-esteem. What about sharing some tips on how you maintain la bella figura?
Who amongst us isn’t aware that the Mediterranean diet is one of the most healthful eating styles one can adopt? Those of us who know the Italian culture, know it has as much to do with the way we eat as it does with the types of foods we eat. Maybe you’d like to send in your favorite family recipes. We can also explore issues related to physical fitness, spirituality, finance, and mental outlook—dolce vita style. A positive mental attitude, for instance, can add years to your life. Learning to roll with the punches, or adhere to the “arrangarsi” philosophy of “I’ll get by”, actually appears to strengthen our immune system and make us less prone to illness.
These articles will stimulate you, stir you up, and maybe even make you smile and feel inspired. Whatever the case, your feedback, questions and comments are what will make this column come alive. Here’s to our next interchange. A presto!

*Raeleen D’Agostino Mautner, Ph.D. is author of “Living la Dolce Vita: Bring the Passion, Laughter, and Serenity of Italy into Your Daily Life”. She is also an assistant professor of psychology and director of research for AIDA (American Italian Defense Association). To learn more, visit www.mindlifesolutions.com.