Becoming Italian: Who is This Expat in the Mirror?
photo credit: Leandro Martinez
I’ve been an expat in Italy for more than three years and I’ve experienced more than my share of crazy Calabrian moments. Yes, like the time I marketed our B&B at the GYN or the time my husband’s uncle tried to cut his son from a tree or when I was offered fruit from my own garden.
Oh yes, being an expat in Italy is interesting, but somewhere along the way, between the three-hour lunches, homemade pistachio liquor and short, but stout, coffee shots, I became one of them.
Almost.
You know how in America if someone yawns, you assume they are tired. Or maybe bored? In Calabria, if you yawn they will ask you if you are hungry.
Funny, huh?
Well, I always secretly laughed at them for this observation until one day, I yawned. And yawned. And yawned.
I wasn’t tired. I wasn’t sleepy. I wasn’t bored.
I was hungry.
Don’t believe me? Pay attention to your symptoms next time you start yawning … dinner anyone?
***
Speaking of eating, my husband used to complain about how sweet American sweets are-so much in fact that he let me choose all three flavors of our wedding cake because “he wouldn’t like it anyway.”
Too much sugar? I don’t think so!
Well, you can imagine my dismay last week when I tasted a pastry from the nearby bakery and said, “Eeew,” squeezing my eyes shut, “This is horrible-it is waaaay too sweet.”
As soon as the words were spoken I wanted them back. Unfortunately, it was to late. That sentiment was out there and now, sadly, it is true. I don’t like sweets that are too sweet.
Just call me Calabrian.
***
In similar fashion, I always held strong to my belief that water couldn’t be too cold.
Calabrians would disagree.
At least I was alone a few days ago when I drank a glass of water fresh from the refrigerator and thought, “Ouch. That hurt my teeth. This water is too cold.”
Could someone tell me, please how this happened? How did I lose my deep-rooted American beliefs and how, oh how, did I become quasi Calabrian?
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Cara Cherrye… you’re on your way! I’ve started to show some signs of transformation.
When my doctor told me he didn’t want me to gain any weight during my pregnancy I was shocked. He said, “the less the better”. I’m almost into my 5th month and no weight gain! (no way that would happen in TX!)
The shocker…. my mom sent a bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch.. (you knew us Texans need our ranch dressing!!) well, after weeks of craving it.. i finally had some.. and it was disgusting! It smelled & tasted like Vinegar! I finally understood why Carlo never liked it.
As far as cold drinks… I still need my coke cold… & in a glass full of ice!!
Ha. I literally GASPED out loud when you said you didn’t like the ranch. Guess you are further along than me!
Ciao Cherrye! I loved this post! So true how those little things seep in. Just this past August I had my first mysterious fever that Italians seem to get. It came out of nowhere, lasted a day and a half, and then went away. Probably came from one of those drafts…
Ahhh, I am so jealous. Why can’t I get the Italian fever?
I think i must be the exception to the rule. I have never liked the sweet Sicilian desserts, am always the most underdressed person in the room, and yawn all the time because i am exhausted. When i am not in Italy the only thing I miss/ crave is aqua frizzante (which i have noticed lots of italians don’t drink due to the ‘gas’LOL). I guess the only thing more italian I do is OVERDRESS outside of italy!!
PS i have been here 5 years and now have a passport too.
Eeek, gassy water is *so* not for me, either! ha
I love this post, Cherrye! I forget how nutty and crazy the Italians may seem to be because being around it all my life, it’s just normal.
Are you admitting to be nutty and crazy, too, Lulu?
When I start complaining of a neck ache and say it’s due to cold air, then I’ll know I’m completely converted.
Ha! Please don’t do that, Mary.
Hah! Just yesterday, I made a Chocolate Sheet Cake…a recipe I found on Pioneer Woman’s website and alas…it was toooooooooo sweet. It was so sweet, that I was embarrassed to serve it!!! And In the icing, I didn’t even use what the recipe called for….
Anyway, I guess I posted this to tell you that you ARE NOT ALONE!!!!
Ha ha ha ha… thanks, Amber!
haha. Too funny.
While I’ve cut back on Coke, I still like it cold and with ice (lots of ice!)
I like ice, too. But more for margaritas! Ole!
my husband says all of these things, and it has yet to rub off on me…but I will let him know that there is still hope!!! lol
Ha! In bocca al lupo!
Cherrye, it’s so funny that I found this today. I have just returned from many hours shopping with my mom and the entire time I was saying “I need to buy a scarf or I’m going to get sick”. How Italian is that!?! The best part is that mom stepped up her shopping game because she’s Italian too!!!
Very cute story! So, didya get one?