If you know my family, you know why this post is appropriate. If you don't know my family, we're "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" but we're Italian. Our family get-togethers are loud, obnoxious and tons of fun. We're in each other's business (in good and bad ways), have 27 first cousins and instead of roasting lamb in the front yard, we make sausage in my grandfather's basement once a year. We hug everyone regardless of how long we've known you, you're a guest ONCE and then you're family and all my aunts look similar enough my husband of 4 years has just recently been able to tell them apart. We're laugh hard, love hard and are fiercely protective.
American Kids: When their mom visits them, she brings a bundt cake, you sip coffee and chat.
Italian Kids: When their mom visits she brings 3 days worth of food, begins to tidy up, dust, do laundry, and rearrange the furniture.
American Kids: Their Dad's always call before they come over.
Italian Kids: They're not at all fazed when their Dad shows up unannounced on a Saturday morning to prune the fruit trees. If there are no fruit trees, he'll plant some.
American Kids: Always pay retail and look in the Yellow Pages when they need something done.
Italian Kids: Call their Dad or Uncle, and ask for another dad or uncle's phone number to get it done. Cash deal, ya know?
American Kids: Will invite you over for coffee and cake and you'll get coffee and cake.
Italian Kids: Will invite you over for coffee and cake and you'll get coffee, cake, antipasto, wine, a pasta dish, bread, a choice of two meats, a cannoli, fruit, espresso and some after-dinner drinks.
American Kids: Will greet you with "hello" or "hi".
Italian Kids: Will give you a big hug, kiss on your cheek and pat on the back.
American Kids: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
Italian Kids: Call your parents Mom and Dad.
American Kids: Borrow your stuff for a few days and then return it.
Italian Kids: Borrow your stuff for so long they forget it's yours.
American Kids: Will eat dinner with you then leave.
Italian Kids: Will spend hours there talking, laughing and being loud.
American Kids: Know a few things about you.
Italian Kids: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
American Kids: Eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on white bread.
Italian Kids: Eat Genoa salami and provolone sandwiches on crusty Italian bread.
