"Italian love & Roman beauty"

Translation: Don't eat here, seriously. Any place that writes crap like this should be avoided!

Kids these days...

"Kids these days...." I love saying things like that, it amuses me. BUT today I really do mean it!

I overheard a conversation on the tram between some female American students and it went something like this:

The other day in class I was soooooo tired, it was like crazy, I could barely keep my eyes open, it was like I wasn't even in class. I think I may have to start taking Concerta before class from now on so I can pay attention.

Mind you, a few seconds before, this same girl was talking about how she's been going out every night, drinking like there's no tomorrow, doing pub crawls, etc...

I couldn't help but think, try getting some sleep and drinking less, THEN maybe you'll be able to pay attention in class- DUH! Kids these days are so quick to pop a pill for anything instead of taking more logical steps to resolve their "problems".

Say what?

I've always wanted to document all the crazy "English" shit I see written on Italian clothing but never seem to have my camera with me when I need it. BUT the other day I managed to get a shot of this shirt at Oviesse:



Yes, technically it is correct but what the hell is it about? What does that mean??

Fall flicks

After a long, busy summer of translating films, I have a few Italian movie suggestions for the upcoming season:

First and foremost is "Baarìa", an amazing cinematic experience.

"Good Morning, Aman" with Valerio Mastandrea was refreshingly good.

"Dieci Inverni" was wonderful. Very basic love story but a million times better than the average young Italian film.

"Mirna", a documentary that was simple and beautiful and simply beautiful.

Birthdays and bubbly

Despite the fact that I've been in Italy for over a decade (gasp!) there are still some things that surprise me... like birthday routines. Last week my presence was required in the office for a few days. After lunch, the cleaning lady busted out a gigantic birthday cake... for HERSELF. No, I don't mean she brought the cake only for herself, I mean she brought her own birthday cake to work. I found it so odd that the birthday girl would provide the cake as opposed to the office providing it for her. But then I recalled a friend doing the same thing: inviting people out to dinner for her birthday and footing the bill herself (I was the only one who tried to object, I was obviously outnumbered). So very strange to me...

As for the bubbly, while we were all eating this very delicious cake for the cleaning lady's birthday, she also busted out four bottles of prosecco and started pouring a glass for everyone. I politely declined and was met with stares and that question: "Sei astemia*?"
"No I'm not, but drinking a glass of prosecco at lunchtime while Giuseppe Tornatore is next door ready to review my translation with me does not seem like the brightest of ideas, thank you very much!"
This got me thinking about how normal it is for Italians to comment on one's drinking or lack of. I have several AA friends so I find it somewhat rude to ask someone why they opt not to drink. Once at dinner here in Rome with an American AA friend, the waiter kept trying to pour him a glass of wine and I kept saying no, the waiter rudely insisted numerous times so I finally said "No, lui e' astemio (No, he doesn't drink)" and the waiter commented "Non ha la faccia di uno che e' astemio (He doesn't look like someone who doesn't drink)". I could not believe a waiter, let alone ANY person, would have the gall to make a comment like that. I was so taken aback, I couldn't even respond. Total lack of sensitivity in this country toward people who chose not to drink for whatever reason.


*astemio/astemia- sober, abstemious, someone who doesn't drink alcohol