When I came to Europe in the spring of 2008 there seemed to be a lot of stories about America's perception abroad and even suggestions to travel as a Canadian. (Which besides putting a Canadian flag on your backpack I'm not sure how that's even done. Maybe saying "Excuse me" whenever someone knocks you over or cuts in front of you in line. Canada, America's hat.) But the travel advice was to do anything in order to avoid being labeled an American. I never noticed anything overt, but with that history in mind I was a little curious about how I would be received here. It's been nothing but positive. And to my surprise, I've even been told Italians love Americans. Go figure. I guess they grew sick of all the Canadians. It's true that most people upon learning I'm from Portland, Oregon, get a confused expression on their face. Once they learn Oregon is near California they excitedly tell me about how they've been to New York or Florida. California automatically links to Florida and New York somehow. My roommate Deborah has a friend who lives near Bellingham, WA but as far as she is concerned that is Seattle and won't be convinced otherwise. Oregon doesn't exist, but the US is great, English is great, Obama is great. Toronto sucks. Haha.
Recently I wrote, and you might have read, about my progress in learning the local language. Well, on that front, I've recently started trying to join real live conversations. I emphasize the word trying in that sentence. When I think of a question to ask or a phrase to add, by the time I've sussed out what was said, realized I understood it, and formulated my part of it , they are no longer talking about the color of their socks but have moved on to discussing the new wines from this season's harvest or something. At that point, my startling and brilliant revelation that my socks are indeed black (i miei calzini sono nero) is either irrelevant and unstated or brings the conversation to an abrubt and confused stop if stated. But progress nonetheless!
I have a new criteria for classifying people (I'm still using the one about how they look in a short skirt or might look in a bikini but this new one supplements it) - it's how they react to my attempts at mangling Italian. I'm still working on it but it basically ranges from obnoxious (rolling their eyes and dismissive) to saintly (just let me prattle on with only slight corrections and cheerful encouragement) and in between are people who correct every single freaking syllable in an attempt to be helpful to those who speak so quickly I don't have a prayer of understanding and making no attempt to adjust. I have to frequently remind myself that I have been guilty of the same or worse with non-English speakers and besides, it's their country and my job to learn the language not theirs to come down to my level. But they are still being graded. So either be nice or shorten that skirt!
As always, my favorite reaction is when I do say something and people look at me with a mix of wonder and awe like the brilliant little baby who just learned not to poo in his own pants. Or the puppy who gets an extra treat the first time he sits on command. I'm a puppy with a new trick. My teacher was so excited about something I managed to say in class today that she started clapping before she realized what she was doing and stopped herself and apologized. Frankly, I was so amazed by what I'd conjured that I was clapping too and couldn't blame her. As they say, "di niente". (They really do say that.)
Every year for the past few years I've been fortunate enough to be invited to my friends' children's school for Friends & Family day. The day came around again last week and for the first time in a few years I wasn't able to go. This was the upshot:
Granted I wasn't even invited this time, so to be fair, both parties have legitimate complaints. The worst part is that Pidgeon did go and now she can claim (fairly?) the kids love her more. Dammit. Morgan, I can't believe you turned on me so quickly. No presents for you! I expected this from your mother but never from you.
Have a great Halloween everyone! I wonder what Eric is doing right now?
Luke would like you to know that he does not think you hate America and that he loves and misses you.....oh, and he wants presents. :-)
ReplyDelete@jenn - I knew I could count on him. Let him know we can go shopping and he can pick something out the next time he visits. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you get Luke a pair of Italian shoes with Velcro?
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