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Quintessential Romans: A handful of wonderful Felliniesque survivors can still be found, harking back to a time when Rome was a city of 500.000 people –a city whose facilities matched its needs. Think, in particular, of beaming restaurateurs enticing you into their old-fashioned trattorias, the nimble-fingered barmen making your breakfast cappuccino, the no-nonsense market traders in the Campo de’ Fiori, elegant women walking their small dogs in the Villa Borghese, or the immaculately dressed, noble-featured aristocrats returning from their tailors on via Condotti. Romans: Romans are highly thought of by many of their fellow Italians. Though victims of an image problem, in part a product of the city’s increasing stretched resources, Romans could rarely be confused with the more business-like Milanese, the more reserved Florentines or the more rumbustious Neapolitans. Rome’s official population is 3,5 million. It is actual population is probably nearer 6 million. In the late 20th century, figures were swollen by Italy’s first wave of immigrants, mainly from the Philippines, Somalia, Ethiopia, North Africa and Eastern Europe. Under pressure: Romans not only have to deal with too many other Romans, they also have to deal with a flood tide of tourists. For visitors this can occasionally result in a gruff response bordering on rudeness (though a smile and a little stuttered Italian may well bring you courtesy). Some Romans excel in the art of “not giving a damn”, an oft-heard piece of slang (non mi frega) |
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