People Watching in the Piazzas

By Samm Carbone

Piazza Santa Croce

During our travels through these major European cities, we encountered many different people and had the opportunity to experience a variety of social practices that we don’t often see in the United States. It was very interesting to see how people interacted with their environment in these lively places. One practice that I really enjoyed observing and participating in occurs very frequently in the city squares, where people would take advantage of their leisure time by sitting with one another and becoming immersed in the buzzing environment. To be able to grab a bite to eat or just exist amongst other people and the historical structures and fountains as a local would, was very enjoyable. It felt like there was no need or rush to be anywhere else and that made it easy to just be present in the surroundings, which are so rich in history and culture. 

On a cool Saturday afternoon in Florence, Italy, in front of the Palazzo Pitti, there were clusters of people in small groups scattered around on the pavement, having conversations and enjoying each other's company. It seemed there were people of all age groups and different backgrounds because of the tourists who were also there, so it was nice to see everyone in one area taking advantage of the views during their leisure time. While we sat and waited for our entry into the Palatine Gallery and the Imperial and Royal apartments for a luxurious glimpse of how the different dynasties lived, I found it was just as enriching to take the time to sit and people watch outside the palace.

Palazzo Pitti

The gathering of people like this reminds me of the courtyard areas on college campuses in the United States. In the nicer weather, you start to notice some people out there, but it tends to be more of a transitional space of people passing through on their way to classes rather than spending time. People can use these spaces to meet friends or set up places to sit and eat and be outside. Although in America, it is more common that a lot of those things are done on the go, because of time restrictions and busy schedules. Yet, this seemed very easy to do while in Europe, where the passage of time can be enjoyed at a more leisurely pace in comparison to the hustle culture that is embraced in the US.