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10 Reasons to Be Thankful You're Italian
Discover why you should show your gratitude for your heritage this time of year
Our Paesani
by Francesca Di Meglio
There are plenty of reasons to gripe about Italy and your Italianness. Trust me, I know. I sometimes live in the Boot, and I've experienced the bureaucracy, the judgment in the piazza, and the prejudice (you stinkin' American). But there are many more positives than there are negatives. At this time of year, I like to be a glass-half-full kind of gal and reflect on my gratitude. So, here are reasons to be thankful you're Italian:
10. Extraordinary People
You can claim your place among some great people who have done great things. Think Galileo, Sofia Loren, your Zio Vincenzo. They have made outstanding contributions to society, including all sorts of scientific discoveries, entertaining generations (not to mention inspiring lust in people the world over), and marrying your Zia Gina, who, let's face it, can be a pistol.
9. Rich History
Your history includes the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. Woah baby! Perhaps, we've been somewhat resting on our laurels since then. At least all those crumbling governments since World War II, an election of a porn star in the Italian parliament, and numerous elections of Silvio Berlusconi make for colorful commentary on the evening news.
8. Italian Women
Your mamma and your nonna – they just don't make women the same way in any other culture. Enough said.
7. Devotion to the Two Fs
Not what you're thinking. Family and food are like a religion.
6. The Cooking
The French may have created the basis for modern cuisine but Italians perfected it. There's a reason why people of other cultures choose Italian as their favorite type of food.
5. Hard Work and Passion
Your work ethic and determination can be traced back to Italy. This is a credit to the old-school Italians, who either raised you or your parents and grandparents. You have caught glimpses of this greatness among Italians who immigrated to other countries, such as the United States, Argentina, Canada, and Australia. And you'll see it in Italy today in your cousin Giuseppe, who still works the fields, or the guy who makes the fresh mozzarella or the folks over at Fiat in Torino. They are willing to do back-breaking work for days at a time, all to support their family. They are motivated by their passion for the job, which is simple and pure.
4. La Lingua
Oh baby bambino, they don't call Italian a romance language for nothing.
3. Pretty Stuff
The beauty and creativity you'll find all over the Boot is remarkable. There are the fashion houses in Milan, the vineyards of Tuscany, the icons of Rome, the natural wonders of islands, such as Ischia and Capri, and the passion of Calabria and Sicily. This list goes on and on. In fact, it may be infinite.
2. Bringing Sexy Back
It's not a fluke that I'm constantly getting e-mails from people of all different cultures, who want to successfully court an Italian. The people are gorgeous and often quite charming and flirtatious. There's something to that Facebook plaque, “Then God said, 'Let there be sexy people,' so He created Italians.”
1. You
No matter where in the world you live, if you have Italian blood coursing through your veins, then the country contributed to who you are in ways big and small.
Di Meglio is the Newlyweds Expert for About.com, and you can follow her life and work at the Italian Mamma Web site.
Article Published 10/20/2014
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