Suddenly there is a new forum and lots of new members appear from nowhere asking really useful questions! it's almost as if someone somewhere is trying to make the new site justifuy its existence. Which is nice.
Ram's activity
Questions Asked
One for Charlotte - i have an American client, executor of his fathers estate who says that under the Uniform International Wills Act he can deal with the Italian succession of his American/Italian father.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 06:36
Thu, 05/10/2012 - 13:28
'Tourists' in ITaly have now got a deroga from the government allowing them to buy stuff that costs more than 1000 euros with cash.
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 03:22
There is a hugely important element to the manovra published yesterday. For people who took residence in Italy to get prima casa, but dont actually live here...From 2012 you will pay 7/1000 on the value of any property owned OUTSIDE ITaly.
Thu, 12/15/2011 - 02:52
oops apologies - going blind in my old age
Thu, 12/02/2010 - 03:55
So the Nationwide has introduced bank charges - £1 fee and 2% commission on every withdrawal via ATM abroad - Im gutted. But, I had no advance warning and am also deeply annoyed. Anyone else in the same boat?
Thu, 11/18/2010 - 03:54
Somewhat open mouthed to see a large ad for Giambrone on the front page of the Italy Mag website.
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 04:04
Does anyone have any info on the scudo fiscale. It seems that the new version is not only retroactive, but anyone bringing money into Italy could be liable for 5% tax if they are resident.
Tue, 01/05/2010 - 13:05
The disaster in the province of Messina goes to prove the instability and 'eyes wide shut' approach to living in Italy.
Mon, 10/05/2009 - 04:04
Comments posted
Your tiled roof is the problem. Put up a garden shed, and its precaria. A tiled roof is a permanent thing. Campania has, I think, extended Piano Casa until 2014 - you could therefore extend your house by the 20/25% for a verandah quite legitimately (probably).
I knew nothing about this - but it seems totally bizarre that you have buy your own breathalyser to incriminate yourself or not. Its like paying to have your own fingerprints or DNA available for the authorities to use when they like.
Im sure you're absolutely right - but when i talk in Italian, as I do every day for work - most people use the imperfect. What can I say? As someone who taught English in an Italian university I had to agree with the students who said that the text book said one thing and everyday English was quite another. Its the same with Italian - no excuse for not learning the rules however.
But Pacentro, I'm not quibbling with you! but... now you've started.... :) Im curious. Would you say that you went on holiday last June - sono andato in vacanza o andavo in vacanza? I would use the latter - too long ago to be passato prossimo, I would use the former if I had been on holiday last week, but..... When I learned Italian it was ho mangiato this, and ho letto that, but talking to Italians they all seem to use the imperfetto instead.... so when in Rome .... or am I completely wrong/cross purposed? As for Dante's Italian - I was in Tuscany last week, and there they never stop reminding you that they speak Italian proper like what Dante did!
Here, where I live, the passato remoto is used in everyday speech - people say andai for what they did this morning, and yesterday. Disse for what someone said in a phone call less than a few hours ago. I know that in the north, where Dante's Italian is king' they would use the imperfect for everything other than Cesare fu imperatore' but down here its not the same. They even do it in Montalbano!
One of the ways to ram something home is put post its round your house, on the furniture, etc with the italian word for fridge, sofa etc - then every time you use something make a sentence using tenses. aprirò il frigorifero. Apro il frigorifero, ho aperto il frigorifero, etc - you'll find that the tenses begin to come naturally. It all depends where you are in ITaly as to which tenses you use. In the north they use the imperfect for the past, while in the south they will still use the remote past for things they did this morning - which takes a bit of getting used to. If you can get a grip on present perfect, present and future you wont need much else. For me, its the pronouns that I hate - glielo, gliegli - what type of sputtering nonsense is that!??? And of course that all the books say how 'regular' Itlaian is, until you realise that everything is irregular and its only practise that will help you get it in your head... Montalbano - yes lovely scenery - all filmed where I live, but unless you want to learn Sicilian dont copy the accents on the programme!
Are you looking for long term or holiday rentals? For long term rentals try immobiliare.it, or specialist agencies like soloaffitti.it. You can also try subito.it or vivastreet, or eurekacasa. FOr holiday rentals subito is also a good bet, or the classic ownersdirect.co.uk type site,
This is a real eye opener - I wasnt aware of gangs, double entendres, name changes or any of that - I have always bumbled along avoiding the personal stuff. It is an interesting point of view - as to why people vent on the net and I suspect it has something to do with being able to express yourself better in your 'home' language. My written Italian is fairly poor - it would take a lifetime to be able to write Italian as I write English, the nuances, 'clever clogs' references and so on. As I live here, speak ITalian in business and personal life every day - writing in English on a forum is one of the few ways to actually say what I mean. Is it the same for others here? I shall continue to bumble along and avoid the personal - but if it gets too stroppy and childish - Im outahere....
Lidl do them when they have a gardening special - and they're cheap proper garden forks and spades.
Hi Charlotte, This may be a daft question, but if I have dual nationality - eg British and Italian, can I still choose British law to govern my succession? Im in the process of getting my Italian citizenship and it has just occurred to me that it may have implications in this regard. THanks