Growing up in an Italian American family has its perks. It also allows the freedom for practically anything to happen. Here's a list of things every child of an Italian family knows to be true.

1. Nobody can correctly pronounce your last name.

If there’s an apostrophe, you’re doomed.

2. You cringe whenever someone mentions "Jersey Shore".

No, not all Italians are guidos and drunkards.

3. A tan that takes most people a whole summer only takes you one trip to the beach.

Or you’re extremely pale and people question your Italian roots.

4. You get a little insulted when someone thinks that Olive Garden is “authentic.”

This will never be okay.

5. Pasta is a food group.

Especially when you have rigatoni, penne, linguini, ravioli, lasagna, and cavatappi.

6. If you don’t eat all of your Nana’s food it’s very insulting.

And nobody wants to insult an Italian grandma.

7. There are most likely at least four men in your family with variations of the same name.

Uncle Anthony and Cousin Tony beg to differ.

8. You or someone in your family is named Sal, Joey, Maria, or Lisa.

Every Italian family has at least one.

9. You probably have an enormous family and don't know half of them.

The family reunions are legendary.

10. You don’t have an “inside voice.”

Every conversation is literally you and your family yelling at each other.

11. It’s impossible to have a conversation without waving your hands around.

Try not to.

12. You look worldly to your non-Italian friends when you can pronounce words like “gnocchi” and “focaccia.”

And with the right accent.

13. Any kind of get together requires platters upon platters of food.

But somehow, you always run out?

14. You probably know every Italian curse word there is.

No shame.

15. And you are quite short tempered.

It’s in your blood. Just like homemade marinara.

16. You thought Catholosism was the only religion in the world.

Only because the Lord’s prayer was ingrained into your head.

17. You know that “gravy” is what most people call “sauce.”

The age old debate.

18. You are very familiar with the seven fish on Christmas Eve.

Eels, smelts, and squid, oh my!

19. The most important thing in the world will always be your family.

And food.