My Italian heritage has something I've always been extremely proud of. Although, my nationality includes other backgrounds such as Irish, I was brought up learning more about my Italian side than anything, and also embracing it a lot more openly. People love to point out things that I do or say that clearly makes it apparent that I am in fact Italian. I used to get mad and would respond, "I can't help it, I'm Italian!" Now, I have the response, but I'm not angry. I laugh it off because although I may be a "stereotypical" Italian, there is a part of it I can be undeniably proud of.
So if you're Italian, here are 10 things you've probably experienced and I promise you're not alone.
1. "Why are you yelling? Use your inside voice!"
Excuse me, this is my inside voice... I'm just loud.
2. Sauce or gravy?
You've probably had an argument with your Italian friends and maybe even your own family, is it called sauce or gravy?
It's gravy, by the way.
3. JARRED. SAUCE. IS. NOT. ACCEPTABLE.
If you try to feed us this disgrace that you call "red sauce," just know our insides are burning and we will probably have nightmares.
4. Dominic the donkey is your favorite Christmas song
Even if you don't realize it, this is your favorite Christmas song while you prance around your house singing every word... and you don't understand why non-Italians think its the weirdest song ever.
5. Spaghetti-os & Chef Boyarde are just as cringeworthy as the jarred sauce
Again.. nightmares. Please don't do this to us.
6. JERSEY SHORE IS NOT HOW WE ACT.
But I sure do love this show... and maybe fist pumping.
7. Yes, I talk with my hands. No, I do not care.
Stand back when I talk, I may hit you by 'accident.'
8. Early Sunday dinners
Your friends don't understand why you need to go home at 2 in the afternoon on a Sunday for dinner at 3... Pasta, that's why.
9. Parmesan cheese on EVERYTHING.
Yes, I need to buy three bottles when I go food shopping. No, that's none of your business.
10. Being around other Italians makes you feel somewhat normal
You feel less weird about the way you talk, traditions, and superstitions that have been embedded in your being.
So if you're Italian, be loud and be proud because we're some of the best people anyone has the chance to meet!
