poise

In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, in Florence you learn poise. - Virgil Thomson (above: me, not so poised...) In Florence, balance and composition is very important. The Florentine is always composed, sophisticated and unruffled on the outside. Even if your life is in shambles, pulling yourself together, remaining calm and collected is very important. Alchohol is an excellent example of this idea. Wine is major part of Italian culture. And unlike the American, the Italian loves to drink but they do not get drunk.  Afterall, as the Italian proverb goes, Bacco, tabacco e Venere riducono l'uomo in cenere (Wine, women, and tobacco can ruin a man). It's important to drink yet retain their calm, cool, self-assured manner. To get drunk would meaning losing their composition which would be distasteful and embarrassing. A Florentine would never have that. Poise gives off the idea of self-confidence and control and confidence, something very important to the Florentine.