Growing up Italian has its perks, but it also has annoying disadvantages. I grew up in a very loud, very hungry Italian family. Over the last 18 years I've noticed that my Italian friends' families and mine had a lot of the same qualities, and I am here to tell you what they are.
1. You have a cousin named Anthony or Angela.
It doesn't matter who you are, but if you're at least a quarter Italian, you have at least one Angela or Anthony in your family.
2. Being "not hungry" is basically the same thing as saying your grandmother's ravioli is terrible.
DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT, come into an Italian's home and tell them you are not hungry, we will simply either A) still make you a plate and put it in front of you for you to eat it or B) Say, " You no like my food? Why don't you like my food, huh?" and guilt you into eating our food.
3. Less than 24 hours after shaving, you're prickly.
I personally struggle with this one all the time, it is the Italian curse. You get amazing hair, yet it grows everywhere.
4. You can cook anything.
Italians are known for amazing food, pizza, sauce, cannolis, etc, therefore whilst growing up you learn quite a bit from watching your mother, grandmothers, and aunts in the kitchen.
5. You do not ever call pasta macaroni, it is practically the 8th deadly sin.
Nor do you call it spaghetti, spaghetti is a kind of pasta, it is not pasta itself
6. You are constantly told to be quiet or talk quieter.
Italians are loud, very loud. It's both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because at Sunday dinners it's the only way for you to be heard, a curse because everywhere else it's the reason you are heard.
7. Your family swears by their sauce recipe.
Mine is probably the best, but that's just my opinion.
8. Someone is always not talking to someone else in the family.
Italian's live off drama, no matter what there is always some type of family feud going on.
9. You have to yell to be heard at the dinner table.
I mentioned this a little earlier, but it is true. Especially on Sundays, when the whole family is over, you have to talk on the top of your lungs to just speak to the person next to you.
10. Your family is there for you through everything.
Italians are known for being very big families, but don't let that fool you, we are all very close.
