Growing up in an Italian American household is definitely a one of a kind experience that cannot be described, only lived through. The pounds put on from never ending pasta, marks left on your cheeks from your weird aunt who smells like moth balls pinching your cheeks, and having a cross in almost every room of your house. Part of an Italian family? You'll understand everything I'm about to list off. If not, yes, every single thing on this list is completely true.
1. You're always meeting new family members
Hey doll face, here's your Uncle Joey's second cousin's ex-wife's step brother Vinny. He's like a brother to me. Love him.
2. It takes a half hour, at least, to say good bye at family gatherings
Every single shade of lipstick worn by all of your aunts is left in a big spot on your cheek and you end up starting new stories that seem to just never end. There's always that one family member who will pinch your cheeks no matter how old you are.
3. One word: Nutella
This was everywhere in everyone's house and it went on almost every food imaginable.
4. Meatballs seem to make an appearance at almost every meal
Breakfast? Meatballs. Brunch? Meatballs. Dinner? Meatballs. Midnight snack? Meatballs.
5. Everyone's favorite holiday guest is my cousin Vino
It is not a family gathering without a bottle of that good wine.
6. Your family is unfamiliar with the term "appropriate portion size"
Oh, you can still see the top corner of your plate? Here! Have some more pasta! Already have pasta? Here's five more pieces of bread. Just say thank you.
7. Holidays aren't just a day, they're a lifestyle
You have to pregame for the pregame. Everyone always shows up to the family house with at least one dish of food. Pasta. Fish. Bottles of wine. Bread. Cookies and cookies and cookies. Food is baked and cooked days in advance before the big holiday and God forbid you go into the kitchen when the lasagna is still being prepared.
8. Tarantella
It isn't a wedding or party until this jam comes blaring through the speakers and you know it.
9. Sundays are for the family dinner
The pasta is being cooked, the sauce is smelling through the house and a small country seems to be forming in your kitchen. Oh, wait. That's just your family.
10. You have multiple family members named Dominick, Maria, Michael and Vinny. And somehow, an Uncle Tony shows up and you never questioned who he really is.
Names themselves clearly are not a good enough description of who you're talking about.
11. You have to spell/repeat your name to anyone you introduce yourself to
No, my last name is Meccarielli not "macaroni." (The amount of times I've had to clarify this one is beyond me.)
12. You have to explain to all of your friends that just because you're Italian doesn't mean you're in the mafia
Well....this one is open to interpretation.
13. You absolutely hated the way this show portrayed the Italian name
Yeah, fist bump your way out of here with that fake tan.
14. You have to describe to your friends that when they come over that your family is not yelling, that's just how they talk
No, no, I promise. They aren't mad at each other, that's just them having a conversation.
15. Pasta isn't just a food group, its a way of life
Manga!
16. You eat salad at the end of the meal
Starter salad? What's that?
17. A wooden spoon terrifies you
You better watch out if someone comes running after you with that thing...
18. You know what "stunad" means and hear your uncles calling each other that at least once during a family get together
Let's be honest, you knew Italian before you really understood English.
19. "Gravy"
You're very picky when it comes to your sauce, only your Mother's or Grandmother's will hit the spot.
20. The love shared within your Italian family is something that will never fade
You can be sure that whenever you need someone in your family, they've got your back just like you've got theirs.
