Pasta, bread, cannolis. You name it. The luxuries of having Italian grandparents. They make you the best food in the world. They also make you laugh because they don't get American sayings or customs. My grandparents--Nanna and Nannu--are my favorite people and have influenced the person I am today. If you are Italian or know people who are Italian, you will understand the following things about growing up with Italian grandparents.

1. You can't leave their house without eating.

Even when I used to visit my great grandma, she wouldn't let my sister and I leave without eating pasta or a piece of bread. As soon as you say you are hungry, Nanna already has a pot full of water boiling to make you pasta. If you refuse food from a Nanna, you will get a disappointed look and maybe the wooden spoon.

2. You always have to kiss and hug them when you enter or leave their house.

This is a common practice in Italian households. In addition to your grandparents, their guests or other family members reflect this rule.

3. You have to explain a lot of 21st Century lingo.

I love teaching my grandparents new words or phrases. It might take a few explanations for them to fully understand what you are trying to teach them.

4. You constantly have to ask them to translate or switch to English.

My cousins, my sister, and I are the only ones in the family that don't speak Italian. We only know words and can pick out a general understanding of a conversation. However, usually when they are yelling, they are just talking. It's an Italian thing.

5. According to your Nannu, everything is invented by Italians.

I don't know how many times my Nannu has told me a tool or whatever is invented by some Italian. Or even the best music was created by an Italian.

If you are a grandchild of Italian grandparents, I am sure you can relate to at least one of the things I listed. Growing up with an Italian American family is interesting. But I wouldn't change it for the world.