Italians are discovering Moldova but do not understand it yet. Interview with Domenico Simone, an Italian businessman visiting Chisinau

[ - What do you think about Moldova after you have seen it? Is your present impression matching your expectations?] I was a bit nervous, not to say afraid on my way here, because I was told that Moldova is a third-world country, that it is extremely poor, undeveloped and dangerous, that the organised crime thrives here, and it’s not worth the trip. But now I see that it’s ok, it can be easily be compared to Romania or Bulgaria. Because in Italy I’m in the restaurant business, I have noticed that there a lot of such places in Moldova, which are quite crowded. This made me think that things are going just fine here too. But I also noticed that the prices are highly exaggerated, much higher than in Romania or Bulgaria. In fact, everything is way too expensive and I cannot understand how people live here on such low wages. Where it all comes from? I definitely didn’t like your roads – a pit is a pit. [ - What do you think about Moldovans?] Oh, they are very friendly, receptive and simple… But the girls are wicked… Just kidding… [ - You have seen Moldovans in Italy and Moldovans in Moldova. Is there any difference?] The Moldovans in Italy are kind and hard-working. But when the come back home, they go for their older habits: pleasures of all kinds, expensive entertainment, which they cannot afford in Italy. We Italians, as a rule, go to the bar to have a coffee, a muffin with tea, a paper. In Moldova, the bars are full of people and carefree enjoyment… [- From which part of Italy are you?] I come from Como, Lombardy, 30 kilometres away from Milan and very close to Switzerland.