96 gushing

[quote=dianasan]Hi, Fiona. Latest mag arrived this morning, despite blizzards. Only had time so far to read your editorial, but, sorry to say, yes I find far too much gush. As a prole, I know I can never afford to buy a property in Italy, much less restore it. So I am depressed by these articles about allegedly penniless folk who buy a crumbling farmhouse and faithfully restore it with authentic materials! I have wondered for a while if this mag is for me, as I will clearly never achieve that kind of status. Can we not hear more about ordinary I talians and their lives? Maybe a comparison between the working lives of a teacher here and one in Italy, or a nurse or a doctor? How are social services organised in Italy? All sorts of things occur to me, but they are ordinary. Also, one of this month's recipes wants lemon leaves! In Britain? In Feb?![/quote]

If you are looking for lemon leaves try your local Asian market - at ours we get fresh curry, lemon and lime leaves year round. The UK does tend to be better supplied with these things than good old Ireland, so you should be able to track them down. Alternatively use fresh Bay leaves - they impart a lemony flavour - have used this for baked cheesecakes quite successfully.

Re penniless people buying and restoring buildings in Italy - don't knock it - I am trying very hard to be one of those people! :wink:

[quote]Maybe a comparison between the working lives of a teacher here and one in Italy, or a nurse or a doctor? [/quote]

Fiona - have to say I think this is a cracking idea

Italians in general look down on teaching as a profession and on teachers as people, but Italian teachers get crazily long holidays and work shorter hours than their British counterparts so at least they'll have time to answer questions for the magazine.

Thanks for the comments. I am working on doing more on 'ordinary' Italians, but am wary of comparing life in Britain and Italy too much as the magazine is about Italy not the UK. It also goes to USA, Canada, Australia etc. and we don't want to alienate those readers.

It is a challenge to find the right mix of aspirational and factual features, but on the whole I don't think we do too badly. I have seen a couple of copies of an old magazine about Italy that was very 'worthy' dealt with all sorts of serious topics and was not at all glamorous or aspirational and it failed after just a few issues!

Italy has a dark side but it is also the epitome of style and whenever we get too 'ordinary' or 'everyday' you should hear the comments I get from Italians, especially advertisers! We once had a fat man leaning against a Vespa on the cover - a very 'ordinary' sight, but boy did I get stick from Italian advertisers about it. They expect a certain standard of presentation and glamour in magazines (if you have ever seen an Italian magazine then you will understand what I mean)and we have to keep one eye very firmly on the commercial side.

Re the proofreading - things do slip through and having just spotted a typo in my copy of Good Housekeeping I don't feel too bad!

Anyway other people's comments welcome (but only if you actually read the magazine!)

[quote]Re the proofreading - things do slip through and having just spotted a typo in my copy of Good Housekeeping I don't feel too bad!
[/quote]

Fiona - i do this sort of thing for a living and believe me i have made far more than one mistake in the past :D

i think you have to realise the magasine is a lifestyle project.... for those that can afford that dream..... and have the ability to pay for it....it is also a good tool for italian affluent lifestyle.... and gives good room for all those things we all can dream of......
i dont knock this because a publisher and owner have to make a profit... and what i do apreciate is the access given to normal people via this forum..... no censoring on topics ....even those that dont like the mag part.....or at least apreciate it....
i have made postings on real life here and often get told if i dont like it go back to england....... they miss the point.... when i post subjects on this i do them to inform....there is good and bad here.... whats wrong with knowing a few more facts rather than a perceived dream.... if you are on a budget....too late to change your mind when the pennies run out..... i agree with you on these marvellous restorations shown on tv with budgets that wouldnt even pay the architect.... and i also wonder.... how is it all poss.....
.... there are ways of doing things at a reasonable cost here.... but you have to be italian to know how.....
.... so i would say let the magasine do its business.... keep the people running it happy with their circulation and advertisers willing to pay for space..... and basically thank those that do run this mag for allowing the forum to go on as it is...... its obvious from the below the line adverts who is selling what and these are obviously postings that have a slight bent to their opinions.... but in general even these give you a real view....and often what they have opinions on is nothing to do with their work.... but there are lots of normal people with hopes and interest in this place....who post genuine experiences and costs of life here..... and have nothing to sell..... .... try reading thru alex and lyns posts.....
and if you want comparisons.... its not much better here..... i hear the same talk and news as in enlgand... the one good thing is that when they retire here.... often at an early age their pensions are good....
..... i can post on incomes.... and teachers and nurses....and you will find the same stories you are familiar with....schools and hospitals... waiting lists and delays..... private health....

Arent all glossy magazines full of unrealistic articles? Take any magazine such as House Beautiful, Period Living etc and they all inspire us to dream. I for one certainly would not buy a glossy magazine for a bit of realism - isnt that what the newspapers are for?

I think you are doing a fabulous job, Fiona and the team, and proof-reading mistakes just make me smile! :D

Please dont change it!

I haven't got around to subscribing to the magazine yet, but I will. The few copies I have read I have enjoyed.

As Rachel says, they inspire us to dream. My only chance of achieving my dream of living in Italy is if my numbers come up on the lottery. Having said that, I suppose buying a ticket in the first place would increase my chances significantly! :lol:

I've been reading italymag (amongst others) for about a year, and am usually kept entertained for hours. Most magazines I buy, have only a few pages worth reading, I read italymag from cover to cover. Of course there are typing errors, and of course you can't please all of the people all of the time. For what its worth, I will continue to buy italymag, and continue to enjoy. The target readers are people with a passion for italy and all things italian, those of us who have realised our dream, with all its realities, and those of us who believe we can ONLY dream, to whom I say, chase that dream. Dreams can come true!

Hello there,
Firstly, I agree that it would be nice to hear from more " ordinary Italians"
With regard to the content of the magazine, do you want it to depress you or make you aspire to better things. I thought that the point of the magazine was to inspire and uplift the readers, not depress them. Do you really want to see the Italian equivilant of Coronation St.?. Most of us will never be able to afford a place in the Tuscan sunshine but does it hurt to dream and hope ?. There is enough depressing reality around us every day without us having to order in it in.
Be uplifted
Ian.

[quote=neilmcn]Italians in general look down on teaching as a profession and on teachers as people, but Italian teachers get crazily long holidays and work shorter hours than their British counterparts so at least they'll have time to answer questions for the magazine.[/quote]

British teachers don't do too badly when it comes to 'Baker'/Staff development days on top of the holidays.