Guess who else is overworked and underpaid.
I love Italy and always have. I love the chaotic nature of its people, the obsession with food, and its appreciation for beauty. If you read my book, Wander Lust: A sassy, sexy memoir of my journey from the known to the wild unknown, you know that my experience working with Italians was a delightful challenge, one for which I will be forever grateful. Italians complain constantly, never failing to point out the percentage of taxes they pay and the endless hours they have to work (even though, according to the World Economic Forum, your average Italian receives more than 30 days off per year). Still, it’s kind of cute. At first.
It has been a full year and 2.5 months since I moved to Mexico. It has been 4 years since I’ve visited Italy. When I booked a flight to Milan for October, I was both ecstatic and curious about how I would feel once I got there.
And when I finally walked that familiar Italian soil…I felt…
Irritated.
Let me repeat: I LOVE ITALY. For a variety of reasons, many of which are nostalgic. My trip was magical. But now that I live in Mexico, I have no tolerance for grumpy people. And Italy was full of them.
Just like an Italian, I loudly complained about it. On social media, because isn’t that the advisable outlet for criticism these days? My complaint, which was “Northern Italy has absolutely terrible service” ignited a series of responses, nearly all of which came down to one (valid) point: Italians are overworked and underpaid from an unprecedented influx of international tourists. Of course they’re not smiling/laughing/helpful/nice.
To which I have only one thing to say.
Guess who else is overworked and underpaid.
MEXICANS.
[As are, one might argue, most Americans, and I agree, but I’m not getting into that now.]
I’ve said this before.
Yet it bears repeating.
HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE.
You choose to smile.
You choose to laugh.
You choose to see the bright side even when you don’t want to.
I’m not saying that you can’t be grumpy sometimes.
I’m not saying that you can’t complain sometimes.
But if this becomes your persona, you’re going to infect everyone around you.
Joe Rogan (go ahead, judge me) recently said on his podcast “You affect people.” And he’s right. The way you are affects the way people around you are. I’m happy in Mexico. Because Mexico is full of happy people. When I smile, they smile back. When I ask a question, they answer (even if it’s the wrong answer). When I need help, they help me. Being in Mexico makes me want to be a better, friendlier, more helpful person.
This country is not perfect, it’s far from it. It’s violent, it’s corrupt, it’s poor, it’s systematic, it’s sensitive. These are definitely quirks that I could do without. But if I had to choose the words that defined Mexico for me, “happy” would top the list.
I know that happiness is cultivated from within. I also know it’s a hell of a lot easier to cultivate something that you’re surrounded by. If you want to be rich, spend time with rich people. If you want to be fit, go to a gym. Immerse yourself in France if you want to learn French.
Surround yourself with happy, and you’ll be happy too.
When you’re feeling low, take a look at who and what is around you. Maybe therein lies the answer to finding your joy.
Then, book A Weekend Away in Mexico.
With love,
Bethany
