The subject of the third and final meeting with Enrico is our relation towards the nature.

In Western countries, like Belgium and Italy, we could state we’re quite similar: we both sort our garbage; general garbage, cans, paper, all in a different bag or box. Enrico pointed out that there is a difference between north-Italy and south-Italy. Because of the migration of ethnic groups in Southern Italy, some of these groups didn’t have the education to sort their garbage. So it’s certain that the south of Italy is a little less cleaner than the north, where Enrico lives.

Italian people are more outer-directed, this means they would go along with the laws and forces of the nature. Although they are outer-directed, they would try to control everything possible to reach their goal. Belgian people are similar to this, we are flexible towards nature, but can be dominating towards our tasks which needs to be finished as soon as possible.

If Enrico would walk down a street with a ice cream cup but there isn’t a trash bin nearby, he would throw it in a bin, when he sees one. In the south of Italy, the chances they would throw it on the ground, are bigger than in the north.  I, maybe as many others, would do the same, or hold it until you get home.

If we compare the green zones in both our countries, Enrico is sure that we’ve got more green zones next to our highway. Not the ring around Leuven, but the highway like E40, E314,... Apparently, in Italy, you have to pay a ticket before you can enter the highway. You have to indicate how many kilometers you want to drive on the highway and you pay it immediately. I reckon that’s also a way of retarding the pollution.

The green zones in Italy are the most important factor for economic growth. The tourists come for the nice weather, the green, the sea and the history of certain places.

If they would cut all the green away, there would be serious unemployment in Italy.

After a while, Enrico and I started talking about the polluted world. Like every nation in the world, Belgium and Italy are aware of the pollution. Every nation contributes to this enormous problem. But what do we do about it? Belgian people try to sort, recycle and buy long-lasting bags in supermarkets. Italians sort their rubbish and recycle too. Of course, there are also the new hybrid cars, but really few in Italy, because it’s too expensive for Italians because of the economy.

Here in Belgium, I think we’ve got more hybrid cars, which got lots to do with the bonus we receive if we buy one.

Maybe another transportation is the train, here in Belgium, its quite popular. But in Italy they’ve got 3 kinds of train: the Red Arrow, a high speed train, like our HST, really expensive, because it’s all business class. the second option is the regional train, they are cheap, but also dirty. As Enrico said: “they use it as transportation but they forget to clean it afterwards” . The third option is an intercity train, more expensive than the previous one, but luckily better quality and cleaner.

Hearing this, I don’t think I would take the regional train, I’d rather pay more for a cab or a bus

Italians know more about Belgium, and we have more information about the people,  the county and their culture!

26-05-2010 om 21:33 geschreven door HeleneStorms