7 typical Italian professions

Every country has them, those typical professions that you only encounter there. Because let's face it, a clog maker, a bullfighter or a samurai simply belong in the Netherlands, Spain and Japan respectively. Of course, Italy is no exception to that rule. There are many jobs that you can only find there. So if you are considering a possible move to Italy combined with a real career switch, then the following list of suggestions that we have collected for you will surely help you.

1. Parmesan cheese beater

In a country where the kitchen is such an important part of the cultural heritage, it is not surprising that there are inspectors who monitor the quality of the typical ingredients with heart and soul. Because that's what we call 'Parmesan cheese' for convenience, but not every cheese grater that we sprinkle over our pasta is actually made from Parmesan cheese.

The name Parmigiano-Reggiano is protected and how! It Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano therefore trains Parmesan cheese beaters who ensure that the cheese meets all the requirements that are set for the one and only Parmigiano.

Of course, as such a special cheese beater, you need well-trained taste buds and a sharp eye to be able to judge the shape and structure of each cheese mould. But also good hearing; while beating with that well-known cheese hammer, you should not miss a hole in the cheese. And only when the cheese mold meets that list of strict requirements on all points, can you, as a controller, burn the coveted brand into the cheese crust.

2. Judge of Balsamic Vinegar from Modena

Just as not every grated cheese is made from real Parmesan cheese, not every bottle is balsamic vinegar that you will find in your supermarket, really balsamic vinegar from Modena. In fact, the chance that you will find it on the shelves there is very small.

The one and only balsamic vinegar with the official Modena seal cannot be called a supermarket product because of the price tag: a bottle with the real stuff can cost hundreds of euros.
So that official seal is what every producer desires, but only very rarely by a panel of five Aceto Balsamicjudges are assigned.

As a judge you receive extremely strict training and you learn to judge each bottle of balsamic on the basis of a very strict system of points. Making compromises is not an option: the real one balsamic vinegar is something special and should remain so.

3. Special agent olive oil

It is more common than you might think: olive oil that is 'cut' with sunflower or other oil and then as extra virgin is sold. Or – almost as bad – Italian olive oil which is mixed with foreign olive oil!

To counter the sale of this fake olive oil, the Italian police have a specially trained unit. As an olive oil special agent, you learn by tasting only a very small amount of oil to determine whether the oil is purely Italian or whether other oil has been mixed with the olive oil. And do you even know whether import olives were secretly used in the pressing.

It may sound like a not-so-exciting profession, but the efforts of this unit have already exposed quite a few olive oil scams.

4. Swiss Guard

Once upon a time, about 500 years ago, they were found all over Europe: regiments of Swiss soldiers hired as bodyguards by monarchs and popes. These troops gradually disappeared because they were killed in the performance of their duties or, less heroically, were abolished.

In the end only one regiment remained: the Swiss Guard in Vatican City. According to the Vatican, the Guard consists of 'Warriors' and 'Defenders of the Catholic Church'. Not something to be mocked just like that, despite the fact that their uniforms are reminiscent of harlequins.

Would you like to become a Swiss Guardsman? First check whether you meet the conditions: you must be a young man of no more than 30 years old, unmarried, Catholic and have a Swiss passport in your pocket.

5. Gondolier

Gondolier is a profession that has been passed down from father to son since the 11th century. But it's also a liberal profession, so why not break with that Venetian tradition and become a gondolier yourself?

Before you sail tourists through the Venetian canals with your own gondola, it is important to find a master who is willing to teach you the tricks of the trade for quite a few years. Years sounds like a lot, but is nothing compared to the second step on the way to a life as a gondolier: getting a municipal permit.

To do that, you have to show in all kinds of theory and practical exams that you are worth more that striped shirt and that straw hat than all those other candidates chasing the same dream. But if you finally succeed, your money is bought!

6. Roman Soldier

Create a career as Roman centurion in modern Italy? It will cost you little more than a red-and-gold outfit, a charming smile and a charismatic demeanor to entice tourists to take a picture with you. Hours in the gym for a toned body is no longer a requirement. Roman soldiering is a relatively safe profession these days compared to the good old days: you don't have to be ready to enter the battlefield every moment of the day. However, the question is how much your new colleagues appreciate your presence at the Colosseum. There is a good chance that they will draw their swords and a gladiator fight will ensue!

7. Anti-Mafia Prosecutor

Prosecutor of organized crime is one thing, prosecutor of the mafia in Italy something completely different! You can then, like illustrious predecessors such as Borsellino and Falcone gain the admiration of a large audience for your work, but at the same time you face enormous risks and you often live under permanent police protection.

The people you're trying to fight are some of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world and don't turn a blind eye to attack you. The life of an olive oil police officer may be less spectacular, but a lot safer!

Your favorite Italian profession?

They were. Seven typical Italian professions. Should living and working in Italy are not in it for you, then you might be able to get started at a Italian company in the Netherlands.

Which of these typical Italian professions do you like?

Image above: YouTube