Yesterday I discovered two very interesting tidbits, the kind of knowledge that can only be gained from travel. The first one is that in Italy, a girl can get anything she wants. I am not sure if equality has not yet set in here or if they are just a very forward people, but being a women here not only warrants you dozens of stares and ciao bella's a day, but also special privilege. I had noticed this, but for the first time yesterday used it to my advantage at the Central Market. Sara and I were waiting in a long line for the world famous sandwich stand ( Tripe, cow stomach lining, is the deli meat of choice here) to get roast beef, not tripe for lunch. Since we were in a rush I made eye contact and smiled at the sandwich guy who was helping one of the fifteen people in front of us. Sure enough next thing we know there are our sandwiches....making all the stupid cat calls worth it. This system works everywhere, if a women goes to the same produce stand a few times and flirts with the guy, she will have free tomatoes for life.
Another discovery yesterday was that English girls are obsessed with Americans. We went to a small bar near our house at night and I started talking to a few English kids who were in Florence for a school field trip. All the girls wanted to know was what it was like being American, how were the malls? What was Macy's? Had I ever been to New York or Las Vegas? Why did we call gay people fags? They thought being an American girl was the best thing ever! Which is so weird because doesn't every American girl try to talk with a British accent and try to be a spice girl? I mean these girls used the word 'posh'in a sentence and it sounded natural! I tried to explain to them how fancy being British seemed and how great the accent was, but they wouldn't hear of it. They said moving to America is every high school British girls dream and wanted to know all the brands we wear...all I could think of was Gap and Old Navy...which I am sure is exactly what they wanted to hear. it's funny how other people view my own culture, when all I think of is greasy fat people.
OK, these are the kind of blog posts I LOVE!!!! Mommy says that "eye contact" from you is fine...but cleavage, air kisses, flirting and short skirts is NOT!
ReplyDeleteAnd greasy, fat people??? What! I know we are a Fast Food Nation but come on!!!!! this was laugh out loud funny and you had better make sure I do NOT accidently get a tripe sandwich when I come.
Guess what??? ONe of Fran Gilleland's best friends from college lives and works in Florence. As a matter of fact, she owns one of the tiny tourist stalls right by the Ufizzi so you probably walk past her every day! She met a man while abroad for college, married him, and moved back to Florence. DON'T get any ideas.
ReplyDeletethis is Oma
ReplyDeleteHi, Sarah
We sure enjoy your blog. Keep sending those great news.
Wish you were here today. After our fun golf we are going on a picnic and later on everyone is coming here for chicken l'orange.
But you seem to have so much fun there, we are all envious.
Keep up the blog.
Lots of love Oma and Opa
Love it. Isn't it funny how each culture has its associations about another? US = Vegas, McDonald's, Macy's (really?). Britain = Spice Girls, Beckham, etc. Of course, when I was your age, we thought Britain = Carnaby Street, Rolling Stones, Twiggy, doubledecker busses, and supremely, The Beatles.
ReplyDeleteHow we can reduce each other to a few catch phrases.
Love,
Your greasy fat compatriot, Sarah K.
I can remember that the British girls loved the American GI's. The British guys hated us. All they ever said was that we were overpaid, oversexed, and over there. Be careful with the Italian men. They can be downright forward and any undue flirtation just makes them moreso. Don't end up like the american girl in Perugia.
ReplyDeleteOpa