Growing up in an Italian family is an experience all in itself. A lot of questions get asked from people who have no idea why we do the things we do. Until someone makes a movie about Italian families that's fun for everyone - ahem, My Big Fat Greek Wedding - then here's a glimpse of what it looks like, in no particular order.

1. On Sundays we eat pasta. Any kind of pasta. We're not picky.

2. Espresso was an after dinner staple. You basically started drinking it when you learned to walk.

3. You live in a house with a fruit cellar, or your relatives live in a house with a fruit cellar.

4. There were more pictures of religious people than your actual family.

5. Before you even ask the question, my family is not involved with organized crime.

6. Please don’t even mention that you’re not hungry. We all know you are and we’re going to feed you anyway.

7. You talk with your hands more than your mouth. If the area was crowded your chance of knocking over a glass increased 12.7%.

8. The Presepio setup was a huge deal, and baby Jesus wasn't allowed to go in until Christmas Eve.

9. "I can’t hang out Sunday because I have family dinner."

10. "Dinner's ready!"

11. There is no such thing as a small family gathering. Just the immediate family is coming over? That's 50 people right there.

12. You constantly reprimand your friends on how bad they butcher the Italian language. Gnocchi, parmesan, biscotti, they were all a lost cause.

13. We're not fighting. That's how we talk. We have to be loud so every family member can hear us.

14. What are low carbs? What is a diet? I'm on my third bowl of pasta and fourth piece of bread.

15. Sitting around the table after dinner feeling as though you look like Jabba the Hutt.

16. “Lower your voice.” “What do you mean? This is my normal voice.”

17. Conversations switch from English to Italian every few sentences.

18. There's not actually ricotta cheese in this. These bad boys held all the leftovers.

19. Need I say more?

20. People have the hardest time pronouncing your name.

21. "I think I'm getting sick." "I'll make you some pastina."

22. "Here. Have another one."

23. Sundays were also spent visiting relatives, or people you referred to as relatives for extended periods of time.

24. Salad came after the main course

25. Christmas Eve was a time for fish. Seven of them to be exact.

There are most certainly more than 25 ways you knew you were growing up in an Italian home. For example; your Nana never sat at the dinner table until everyone was basically done, your relatives went through 100 names before reaching yours because they all sound alike, and someone in your family was bound to make their own wine. All in all, I loved the way I grew up and I'm proud of my Italian heritage. Plus, let's not forget we throw killer parties too.