The Right Way?
There have been several disturbing reports in the Italian press recently.
First, there was an incident down in Rome in which a gay radio DJ was attacked for, well, being gay. Then, there was the Indian shopkeeper who was threatened and then attacked by, even if reports in the press deny this, what could well have been a racially motivated incident which was inspired by extreme right wing politics.
Next, there was the recent fight at the University of Rome, which, news reports indicate, was provoked by the placement of posters promoting right wing politics.
The above incidents are not all. I keep hearing comments, mainly from those from the south of Italy, that Berlusconi’s cronies are likely to come down hard on those from the south, who are regarded by the likes of Northern League leader Umberto Bossi as being a lazy bunch of wasters.
Yes, there do appear to be those in Italy who are fearful that Italy’s fresh new right-wing government may be showing signs that it leans rather closer to the extreme right than is good for comfort. Those who believe this may well have reason for concern.
In addition to Bossi who has been labelled as being openly xenophobic, Fini, one of Berlusco’s allies, heads a party with fascist origins. Then we have personalities such as Alessandra Mussolini. No prizes for guessing what her political leanings are. I wrote about this lady in my Cashing in on a Brand Name? Not. post way back in March 2005.
The evidence would suggest that Italy’s strongest government in 60 years, may well be its most extreme too.
Italy, it has to be said, has had extreme right wingers in power before, and many times, but this government is different. It has the power to act, whereas similar governments in the past have simply collapsed before they could really become established, and display their true colours.
The thing is, I can understand why those with a potentially heavy hand have been voted into power. Italy and its population do need something of a shake-up, and aside from Berlusconi and co, there was nobody else who was up to the job, with the possible exception of Di Pietro, that is.
However, while the shake-up may well take place, it could well be rather more than many Italian’s bargained for. And certain elements of Italian society are probably justified in feeling rather disconcerted at the moment.
I’ll be keeping an eye on developments, and writing about them, as and when they occur, here. Personally, I hope I won’t have too much to write about….but I have my doubts.
By the way, in northern Italy, summer has yet to really arrive, whereas it has down south. How does the saying go: ‘The sun always shines on the righteous.’.
Not Nice
Yesterday I was out with our dog when I noticed another dog on the other side of the road. It was off its leash and appeared to have wondered into the road. The owners were a Chinese family, mother, father, and child in stroller. Unusual, I mused, you don’t see that many people of Chinese extraction with dogs.
Anyway, I continued, thinking for a moment that maybe a dog with a tendency to wander into the road should not be off its lead in a city. Oh well, it’s their dog, hopefully they know what they are doing, I hoped. Read more
I’m Sorry, I don’t Understand….
….why schools in Milan are short of cash.
Few would deny that Italy has some of the highest tax levels in Europe. Yet, despite the, apparently increasing, tax income, the schools in Milan actually ask parents for, in some instances, monthly contributions to help bolster funds. Read more
An Odd Obstacle for Young Italian Job Seekers
The Situation
OK, so you are young, Italian, from the south of Italy, have just finished struggling through a five year degree course which took seven or eight years and you have had the courage to move all the way up to Milan to do a Master in some business school or other. All in the hope of landing an internship (internship is ’stage’ in Italian), which may become a permanent job.
You have just about finished your Master and are doing the interview rounds. You have a degree mark or 100 or higher, possible ‘cum laude’, and have passed all the Master exams with flying colours. Everything looks positive.
Then you go to a few interviews only to find that you are not called back for a follow-up interview. You cannot understand why, all the questions asked seemed so normal. Friendly even. I mean they even asked about your boyfriend/girlfriend. That was maybe a little unusual, but, well, they do want to get to know you.
The Obstacle
Do you remember that odd, but seemingly innocent questioning concerning your boy/girlfriend? Well, perhaps it was not as innocent as it first appeared. Because, the interviewer was trying to establish whether your ’separation’ is likely to affect your work, presumably because the employer has had problems of this type in the past. And unless you answer satisfactorily, you may not be offered an internship, let alone a full time position. It appears that those from the south of Italy who are seeking work in the north are more likely to receive a grilling about relationships than those from the north.
Now, whereas this line of questioning may very well be considered illegal in the UK, in Italy such questions are quite legal and normal. However, these questions could be described as being more than a little discriminatory, even if, with the rigid Italian employment laws, companies do need to be very sure that they are not going to end up with deadwood. It is still very difficult to remove poorly performing employees in Italy, hence these investigations into such indirect personal matters.
The (possible) Solutions
You could simply lie, and say you have no boyfriend/girlfriend at the moment, but if they find out later, you could face problems, and these problems could prejudice your future career.
As an alternative, you could say that the relationship is not serious, that you are more than happy to work in north Italy and willing to move out of Italy if offered the opportunity. Many companies in Italy are well aware that many Italians are highly reluctant to move away from their places of origin for much more than a short time, and so they are often extremely content to find an Italian who is prepared to live permanently in another area of Italy, or even better, to travel regularly or move abroad.
Then again, you could be honest and let the company take you as you are, and risk not being offered an internship or a permanent position. Then at least you will know what kind of company you are dealing with.
If your boyfriend or girlfriend is in north Italy, either studying or working, make this very clear and you will be considered a lower risk.
Above all, be aware of the potential traps contained in questions about relationships and have an answer prepared. Occasionally such questions may simply be a way of monitoring your reaction to emotional issues and nothing more, but…. Better safe than sorry, as the old English saying goes.
One thing is certain though: it ain’t all that easy for young Italians to find a job.
OK, I guess this post should be in Italian, but those Italians who can understand it are potentially very good job candidates for multinational Italian or foreign companies. And knowing this might be helpful.
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