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Dottoré!

Silvio, Is That You? A Neighborhood In Naples Mourns A VIP

A case of mistaken identity for our Naples-based psychiatrist, in the wake of Silvio Berlusconi's passing.

Photo of a Berlusconi stencil graffiti depicting the politician as a skull and bones. Taken in Merano, Italy.

Berlusconi graffiti in Merano, Italy.

Mariateresa Fichele

Patrizia arrives for her appointment in a frenzy.

"Dottoré, it's too painful. Why did he have to die like this."

"Signora, unfortunately there's no good way to die. If you're religious, you can always pray for him!"

"But what am I supposed to do now? He's been like family to us for the past 20 years. Whatever we needed, I'd call him and he'd get it done!"

"Signora, here we go again with your delusions. Do you mean to tell me that all this time, you had Silvio Berlusconi's phone number, and that he'd respond to whatever you needed?"

"Dottoré, who the hell is talking about Berlusconi — the whole neighborhood was rejoicing about that yesterday! No, my butcher Don Gaetano has died! Where am I supposed to go shopping now?"

____________________________

Learn more about Worldcrunch's exclusive Dottoré! series here.

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Italy

The Benefits Of "Buongiorno"

Our Naples-based psychiatrist reflects on her morning walk to work, as she passes by people who simply want to see a friendly smile.

A woman looks down from her balcony in Naples

Ciro Pipoli/Instagram
Mariateresa Fichele

In Naples, lonely people leave their homes early in the morning. You can tell they're lonely by the look in their eyes. Mostly men, often walking a dog, typically mixed breeds that look as scruffy as their owners. You see them heading to the coffee bar, chatting with the newsstand owner, buying cigarettes, timidly interacting with each another.

This morning as I was going to work, I tried to put myself in their shoes. I woke up tired and moody, but as soon as I left the building, I felt compelled, like every day, to say to dozens of "buongiorno!" (good morning!) and smile in return just as many times.

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