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nitive dissonance”—the situation in which we encounter something that contradicts what
we believe to be reasonably possible.
When the topic comes up in conversation with more philosophically-minded individuals
who press me for an explanation, I tell them that I think it's a matter of different belief sys-
tems. One of the things we learn, living in a science-based culture, is that the world func-
tions according to basic principles that are independent ofourbeliefs. So,when we stumble
upon situations and phenomena where our belief systems clearly impact the way we exper-
ience the world, we really don't know what to do with the information.
Livinginthecrackbetweentheworldsaswedo,weregularlyfindourselvesfacingchoices
of behaving and believing as Americans—or as Tuscans. Sometimes it's a matter of con-
scious choice; other times we simply go with the flow and the decision seems to be largely
unconscious. In Italy we eat dinner about 8:00 or 8:30 pm; when we're back in the States
we eat a couple hours earlier. The reason is simple: in Italy we get hungry around 8 o'clock
and in California we get hungry around 6 o'clock. Surely there's a rational explanation for
this (isn't there?).
People who travel with us on our tours in Italy regularly comment that they can drink red
wine here with lunch or dinner, and it doesn't make them drunk or give them a headache.
We usually tell them it's because there are less sulfites and the vineyards use less chemic-
als in fumigating and fertilizing. That satisfies everyone's need for a scientific explanation.
What I don't usually share with anyone is that we have brought the same wines back to
California from our Tuscan adventures and a half-glass after dinner will send me to the
couch for a nap. I know that if I tried to tell anyone that in Italy wine is a food, and that
the entire climate of belief around wine alters one's experience of drinking it, they would
probably be ready to pack me off for treatment along with the hysterics and melancholics
at the funny farm.
For many lifestyle choices, along with the visible and invisible beliefs that accompany
them, we've found Tuscan practices to be very appealing and life-enhancing. But when it
comestogerms,coldsanddrafts,we'veremainedvigilantlyAmericaninourbeliefs.When
we feel that we're starting to come down with a cold, we start taking Vitamin C, Echinacea
and Golden Seal. During the colds and flu season we wash our hands frequently and stand
back from the folks with the scarves around their necks.
As for drafts, I remain determined to retain the cultural immunity acquired from my years
of living in America and enjoying the vitalizing impact of temperature swings. When I
want fresh air, I open the windows and damn the torpedoes. If I happen to sneeze as a cool
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