Photo Credit (Pixels)
Italy
Italy, which is well-known for designer labels like Versace, Armani, Gucci, and Valentino, received a perfect 10 for being “trendy” and “fashionable.” This is not surprising to locals like Lucio Buffalmano, who founded the blog ThePowerMoves.com and is originally from Abruzzo, which is east of Rome. “It may sound cliche, but Italians take pride in their appearance and go above and beyond to look fashionable,” he remarked.
However, this renowned attention to detail goes beyond style. “Italy has a great impact in everything that has to do with style, from food to furniture,” said Sardinia native turned Rome resident and blogger at Rome Actually Angela Corrias.
Naturally, the cuisine of the nation asserts a significant effect. Corrias suggests visiting Rome, the nation’s capital, if you want to personally witness the influence of Italian cuisine on food. “Romans will never give up eating out, even after the financial crisis hit hard,” Corrias remarked. You can sample both classic flavors and dishes with a contemporary twist right here. For instance, the Porto restaurant in the Prati neighborhood offers a seafood take on the classic cacio e pepe, which is pasta seasoned with black pepper and Roman pecorino cheese. The pairing of cheese and fish may seem strange, but it tastes great.
Other intriguing cultural hotspots for foreign visitors include Bologna, which is renowned for its rich culinary legacy, and Milan, which is the nation’s center for business and fashion in addition to having a sizable and vibrant expat community and many excellent restaurants.
France
France performed well in the categories of “modern,” “prestigious,” and “fashionable,” and the French “je ne sais quoi” is something that people all over the world strive to emulate. Roobens Fils, a native of Paris, was unaware of the impact of his culture until he visited the Middle East and Asia.
“French cuisine, art, and fashion are loved and inspire people in very remote regions. In Iran, I met folks who told me how much they cherished Molière! I was startled! Molière is well-known in Iran. said Fils, who writes for Been Around the Globe, a blog on his travels.
While Paris is undoubtedly the best location to immerse oneself in French culture, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Toulouse offer fantastic, smaller alternatives when it comes to gastronomy and fashion.
The French are very proud of how their identity has influenced the world.
“A lot of excellent wine is produced in the area, and Bordeaux is a prestigious city,” Fils remarked. Aside from Paris, the city boasts the greatest number of historically significant structures in the nation. The third-most populated city in France, Lyon, is renowned for its culinary customs and has produced several three-star Michelin chefs. Toulouse, the capital of the southern Occitanie region of France, takes great pleasure in its more than 2,000-year history, which dates back to the time of the Romans and Visigoths, as well as the pink terracotta architecture that has earned it the moniker “La Ville Rose.”
The French language can be difficult for new expats to learn, yet the French take great pleasure in their identity that has changed the world. The majority of individuals in France speak only a semblance of English. They don’t always want to speak English, but occasionally they do, according to Fils. “French people won’t make the effort to adapt to you; an expat will have to adapt to France.”
Rated as “modern” and “influential in entertainment,” American TV shows, music, and movies are beloved around the world. The US is renowned for expanding and popularizing a concept globally, even when another nation initiates it first, like in the case of the reality TV genre, which originated in the UK. The nation’s IT sector, which is home to Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon, has also made an impact; billions of people use these well-known services and social networks on a daily basis.
This powerful American identity is deeply based in the ability to dream big and rise above modest beginnings. Professor Andrew Selepak of the University of Florida’s Department of Telecommunications and Director of the Graduate Social Media Program stated, “We still believe in the ‘American Dream’ here, which is only possible in what was once a British colony of debtors, slaves, the religiously persecuted, and the world’s poor.”
The largest city in the nation, New York City, is a prime example of these ideals. The Big Apple, sometimes referred to as the city that never sleeps, is still worthy of the famous Frank Sinatra line, “If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere.” Hollywood in Los Angeles, on the other coast, creates the entertainment that influences culture both inside and outside of the US. According to Selepak, “American TV series and films produced here have an impact on how we talk, dress, consume media, and define who we are.”
But there is a wide range of terrain that includes mountains, farms, deserts, and oceans between the two cities. Furthermore, the nation, home to over 300 million people, takes great pleasure in its variety. “We all have different cultural upbringings and values, just like our ethnic backgrounds,” Boston-based blogger Jon Salas said at The Running Publicist. “The country’s geography is subject to the same rule. Every US city you visit will have a unique experience for you, based on your personality and areas of strength. Neither Miami nor New Orleans are comparable to Chicago or New York City. Every city has been influenced by its inhabitants and history. Try visiting a different part of the nation if your experience in one area wasn’t quite what you were hoping for.
Spain
Spain, which was once one of the greatest conquerors and empires in history, has had a profound influence on regions ranging from South America to the East Indies. When it comes to native speakers, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world after Chinese. The popularity of Spanish-language TV shows, films, and music contributed to the nation’s rise to the top.
Inma Gregorio, a Galician blogger at A World To Visit, said, “No matter where I travel, it is always pretty easy to find a bit of my country. From the Spanish language to religion, cuisine, festivals, and many other aspects.”
Although Spanish tapas culture has expanded globally, it still fosters local connections. Andre Arriaza, the creator of Barcelona Eat Local Culinary Experiences and a resident of Barcelona, remarked, “Food here is a way of life.” “Eating is sharing—with all the strangers around you who are always chit-chatting or with a group of friends,” he remarked.
Here, eating is a way of life.
This kind of socializing is essential in a nation where extended meals (such as the sobremesa) and family get-togethers are the norm and friends and family always come before work. Gregorio stated, “We work to live, not otherwise.” “Bars were full every day, even during the [constitutional] crisis last year.”
For foreign residents such as Cory Varga, a UK national who has been blogging at You Could Travel and has spent the last six months living in Seville, it’s a welcome change. We adore living in Spain because everyone exudes such a laid-back vibe. Life is viewed as something to be cherished and relished.
All expats find it difficult to adapt to the more relaxed schedules and later meal times. Although it’s not a major obstacle—most towns offer a large number of Spanish language schools and locals will typically want to help—knowing Spanish also makes life a little easier for foreigners living there. “Spanish individuals are amiable,” stated Bernard Sury, a co-founder of GuruWalk who was born in Brussels and presently resides in Valencia. “They’ll still make an effort to assist you even if they don’t understand you.”
The United Kingdom
UK citizens are proud of their ability to create new innovations by fusing a strong work ethic, creativity, and a willingness to change, earning them a high ranking for the “prestigious” category. Author and inhabitant of London Ian Hawkins observed, “We have an entrepreneurial flair and some of the best universities in the world.” “Remember that British inventors created machine code, the computer, and the internet.”
The English language’s adaptability and influence have contributed to Britain’s success as a destination for individuals seeking to build new lives. According to Hawkins, “our language is generous in its acceptance of people learning it and rich in its borrowings from other languages.” Eleven years ago, my Venezuelan friend arrived in London with only £700 in his pocket and no knowledge of English. He currently runs over thirty eateries and retail stores in addition to being a business consultant. It is possible for anyone to visit Britain and embody all that is British. We can discuss it over curry if you don’t think I’m telling the truth.”
British people don’t always say what they mean; therefore, foreigners should be aware that you sometimes have to read between the lines. “It’s critical to pay attention to subtle differences in language and nonverbal cues,” Australian blogger Amanda O’Brien of The Boutique Adventurer stated. “To say I’m not sure is often to say no.”
Hawkins said, “The English often mean the exact opposite of what they say.” “There are a lot of puns, double meanings, and innuendos in this language.”
Anyone can visit Britain and embody all that makes a British person.
London continues to be a popular choice for working foreigners, serving as the nation’s financial and business hub. Despite the city’s housing shortage, its profusion of theaters, museums, and concert halls offers the ideal setting for people to stay up to date on the latest cultural developments.
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life,” as Samuel Johnson eloquently put it, according to current inhabitant Gregory Golinski, a Parisian by birth. “I wholeheartedly concur. You don’t have to do the same thing twice because there are so many attractions here that you can decide to spend your weekends in a different location.
EyeEm/Constantine Werscheck Edinburgh, well-known as the “birthplace” of Harry Potter, has a significant cultural impact despite its small size.
Edinburgh, well-known as the “birthplace” of Harry Potter, has a significant cultural impact despite its small size.
However, innovation doesn’t stop in the capital. Edinburgh is a cultural powerhouse, having produced the world’s largest arts event, the Fringe event, and is home to Harry Potter’s “birthplace.” Another contender is the nation’s center, Birmingham. “Birmingham has a fantastic culture, from clubbing to orchestras,” Hawkins stated. “The city is renowned for having more canals than Venice, and the jewelry quarter is where traditional skills and cutting-edge fashion collide.”