Baby It’s Cold Outside: Colpo d’aria
justitalianthings – DECEMBER
It’s officially the holiday season! A time of year filled with festive celebrations, magical lights in the centro storico, and, for many Italians, the necessity of a little extra protection against an unseen danger. What is this mysterious force? You guessed it: I’m talking about the infamous colpo d’aria, literally meaning a “stroke of air” (like heatstroke, but from cold air) – a concept deeply rooted in Italian culture and beliefs about health. While it’s often met with curiosity (and even some skepticism) by newcomers, colpo d’aria reveals a fascinating relationship between health, tradition, and the environment.
Simply put, colpo d’aria is a catch-all term used to describe a range of ailments that some Italians believe can result from unprotected exposure to cold, moving air, especially when the body is damp or sweaty. The usual suspects include drafty houses, open windows, air conditioning, fans, cold wind or rain, and abrupt shifts from hot environments to cold ones. Many Italians attribute symptoms like stiff necks (cervicale) and muscle pain to these drafts, but they are also blamed for colds, flus, ear infections, pink eye, headaches, backaches, sore throats, indigestion, and diarrhea, and even more serious complaints.
From a scientific standpoint, cold air itself isn’t directly responsible for most of these conditions. However, the body’s natural response to cold exposure – like increased mucus production in the nasal passages or a weakened immune system – can play a big role in feeling under the weather as the temperature drops. Additionally, cold can exacerbate symptoms of pre-existing conditions. This overlap of science and personal experience likely explains why colpo d’aria feels so real to many people, despite its broad and highly subjective definition.
What makes colpo d’aria truly intriguing is how it shapes daily habits and interactions, no matter the season. For instance, when I first arrived in Perugia during an August heatwave, I was surprised by how concerned my colleagues were when I positioned two fans at my desk or sought refuge by the air conditioner. Now that it’s winter, I’ve joined them in layering up for the chilly walk to work – only to peel off layers the moment I step inside, where the powerful heaters make it feel like summer again! Despite the discomfort for maladapted expats like myself, locals seem to prefer toasty bars, restaurants, and workplaces, both to keep cozy and to safeguard their health.
There’s also much cultural variation to how colpo d’aria is understood and discussed. My southern-Italian roommate once woke up with a crick in her neck and attributed it to a draft from an open kitchen window. Meanwhile, my northern-Italian professor shared a story with the class about how a gust of wind caused her to vomit when it hit her exposed midriff. These anecdotes reflect a deeply ingrained attentiveness to the environment and a desire to maintain equilibrium between the body and its surroundings. Whether or not these experiences align with medical science, they reveal how health beliefs are inextricably intertwined with culture and daily life.
So, if you’re planning to study abroad in Italy, be prepared to hear plenty of unsolicited but well-meaning advice about avoiding colpo d’aria. Whether it’s a reminder to close windows, avoid sleeping with the fan on, or bundle up before heading outside, these warnings come from a place of genuine care and a shared cultural understanding of health. Personally, I’ve learned to respond with a polite, “Grazie, ci starò attenta!” (Thank you, I’ll be careful!) – not because I worry about catching colpo d’aria, but because it’s a small way to acknowledge and respect the cultural context I’m living in – and then carry on doing whatever makes me most comfortable.
And ultimately, it really does come down to personal comfort. Many U.S. Americans, myself included, are most at ease with the A/C blasting, while my Italian friends usually prefer multiple layers and a spot by the heater. At the end of the day, colpo d’aria offers a glimpse into the interplay between tradition, health, and environment. In Italy, the concept is more than just a superstition – it’s part of a holistic approach to well-being that emphasizes balance and conscientiousness. Whether or not the science fully supports it, the belief in colpo d’aria reflects a deep cultural wisdom that prioritizes harmony with one’s surroundings. So, whether you’re navigating the mercatini di Natale or curling up with a steaming cup of cioccolata calda this holiday season, try to embrace the unique perspectives that make living in a different culture so enriching. After all, staying warm isn’t just about temperature… It’s about finding comfort in the customs and care of those who surround us. And baby, it’s cold outside!
Lindsey Elena Cottle, Umbra Intern