01.30.06
Just when you think you know Italians
I was walking the kids home from school today when we saw our neighbor’s son. His name is Alesandro and he’s always very nice and stops to say hello. As we were walking home, he said that it was too warm outside. I was very confused. The high today was supposed to 50°F, but I’m not sure it ever made it that high. So when I asked him how he could possibly think that it is too warm out today, he just shrugged his shoulders and said, “Meglio freddo di caldo.” Cold is better than hot. I was literally stunned. I have never heard any Italian complain about heat - more often it seems that they’re cold. I usually walk the kids to school with no hat, scarf, gloves, and with my coat unzipped and you wouldn’t believe the stares I get.
It just proves to me that most of the things that I “know” about Italians are probably in some way or another stereotypes.