Italians are proud to be Italian, and they do everything in their power to make sure everyone knows, and never forgets, that they're Italian. Part of this reminder is the big family parties. Growing up in an Italian family can come with some crazy family events. Any person that is Italian, is dating someone Italian, or is close with an Italian family knows the signature signs of an Italian party. Here are a list of identifying factors that it's an Italian get together.
1. Lots and lots of food.
An Italian party isn't complete without the wide variety of delicious foods. Meats and cheeses, olives, pasta, meatballs, bread, salad, cannolis, cream puffs, and lots of parmesan cheese are just some frequent flyers at an Italian gathering. I mean, if the party doesn't have at least half of these foods, are the hosts really Italian?
2. Loud talking.
Every person in my family, including myself, talks really loud. So try putting 25 of the loudest people you know in a room together, all having their own conversations. It is a recipe for disaster.
3. Everyone is sharing their opinion.
A signature personality trait of an Italian is being incredibly opinionated. There's bound to be one conversation at every Italian gathering about someone who is doing something wrong in their life. You just have to pray that you're not the one that is put on the spot in front of your family.
4. Someone falls asleep.
After downing all that delicious and heavy food, someone always falls asleep from a food coma. The real question, though, is how someone always falls asleep even though everyone is scream talking. Honestly, I'll never understand it.
5. There's no such thing as a small get together.
Even when my parents say, "were having some of the family over for dinner" there's always at least 10 people here. In Italian culture, the more people the better! And for the host, that means more people to compliment their cooking.
6. The men will say words that they pretend are Italian.
My dad and my uncles will always throw words into their party conversations that we pretend are Italian, but may just be completely made up. Usually they just say a word that ends in a vowel and they add a little accent and BAM they think they're speaking Italian. There has never been a family party where these made up terms are not thrown into the mix.
7. Hands are flying.
It's a curse. Italians CAN NOT talk without using their hands. It's literally impossible. No matter how hard you try, those hands go flying and you can't tame them! Now go to an Italian party, stand back, and you won't see a single person that does't have their hands in the air.
All in all, Italian parties are crazy, with lots of people, and lots of food, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
