Italian Unions
I have a short anecdote from my studies overseas which I feel is relevant to the topic of this blog.
As a good student should, I am trying to be a keen observer of cultural differences between Americans and Italians without questioning or passing judgment. While in Vernazza, a beautiful seaside town on the meditteranean coast (and one of the 5 towns of Cinqueterre) we encountered a wedding reception in the town piazza by the waterfront. It was beautifully arranged with gold and cream flower arrangements and fancy china. Being the nosy people we are (as well as having the wedding crashing mentality my btb sister has instilled in me) my friend ellen and I decided to park ourselves on a bench right next to the head table and observe. It was absolutely beautfiul and the wealthy attendees looked gorgeous. Men came strolling through the piazza in their valentino and armani suits while the women looked breathtaking in their own designer garments.
Anyways, the point of this story is that Ellen and I couldn't help but note that the laid back attitude of the Italians translates even to those "could-be" stressful situations such as a wedding. As the bride and groom were standing around the piazza talking with their guests (and smoking a cigarette...not an italian tradition to be mimicked) a rather large hairy man walks through the middle of the reception gathering bare-footed, in a speedo and followed by a cat. No one batted an eye. Ellen and I were astonished. We thought, maybe they didn't see it. Then, a man in frighteningly short rainbow colored shorts, knee high trouser socks, loafers and an undershirt sat down on a bench even more obnoxiously close than ours. Still...nothing. I think that we can all learn from these observations that even speedos and knee socks are no reason to stress, weddings can still be chic and enjoyable.
As a good student should, I am trying to be a keen observer of cultural differences between Americans and Italians without questioning or passing judgment. While in Vernazza, a beautiful seaside town on the meditteranean coast (and one of the 5 towns of Cinqueterre) we encountered a wedding reception in the town piazza by the waterfront. It was beautifully arranged with gold and cream flower arrangements and fancy china. Being the nosy people we are (as well as having the wedding crashing mentality my btb sister has instilled in me) my friend ellen and I decided to park ourselves on a bench right next to the head table and observe. It was absolutely beautfiul and the wealthy attendees looked gorgeous. Men came strolling through the piazza in their valentino and armani suits while the women looked breathtaking in their own designer garments.
Anyways, the point of this story is that Ellen and I couldn't help but note that the laid back attitude of the Italians translates even to those "could-be" stressful situations such as a wedding. As the bride and groom were standing around the piazza talking with their guests (and smoking a cigarette...not an italian tradition to be mimicked) a rather large hairy man walks through the middle of the reception gathering bare-footed, in a speedo and followed by a cat. No one batted an eye. Ellen and I were astonished. We thought, maybe they didn't see it. Then, a man in frighteningly short rainbow colored shorts, knee high trouser socks, loafers and an undershirt sat down on a bench even more obnoxiously close than ours. Still...nothing. I think that we can all learn from these observations that even speedos and knee socks are no reason to stress, weddings can still be chic and enjoyable.
2 Comments:
Linds, while this is a great story, as MOH you should know better than to imply to the GTB that a speedo and knee socks are acceptable wedding attire.
Now I'm going to have nightmares.
Pete can relax. I've got bermudas, knee-high black socks, wingtips, and Gracie on a leash.
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