Character Building 101
Don’t get me wrong, I knew traipsing off to Italy without a single Italian lesson wouldn’t be easy. But, there was no time…that’s the whole reason I’m here. I decided to make time by throwing myself into it. Those that know me understand that I do nothing half way. I work hard. I play hard. I party hard. I make decisions and I see them through. I’m a “doer”.
Today, I wished I was a “talker”.
When I’m alone I can come up with the words to say in Italian, but when I’m thrust into a situation where someone is looking at me, waiting for me to say something, I freeze.
Example: A few hours ago, at the supermercato the cashier was scanning my things and came across a tomato and an orange and held them up and started rattling something off to me in Italian. I just stared blankly at her with a line of 10 people in afternoon “grocery rush hour” staring at me. She raised her voice and repeated herself shaking the pomodoro e arancia in front of me. What I wanted to say was, “Mi dispiace. Parlo un po Itialiano. Non capisco.” Instead, after what felt like a million years, I said, “I just got here yesterday. Mi dispiace.” The guy behind me ran off with my fruit and came back with barcode’s stuck to them. ugh. Trust me when I say you can’t put a price tag on the kindness of strangers. As the cashier was scanning my credit card someone dropped a bottle of beer at the checkout line behind her. There was a huge crash and suds splashed all over the cashier and shoppers in the next line, thus thrusting the attention away from me. As everyone shifted their focus I darted out the nearest uscita.
I will never forget “exit” in Italiano. It sounds a lot like “oh shit” which is exactly what I was thinking…
Side note: I got here Friday…in the heat of the moment, I didn’t even get that right. Mi dispiace.
Aw! I wish I felt sorry for you…hahaha just kiddin that is embarrassing but good thing your pretty! :) Loving your blogs- I read them in my head in your voice :) Going to Enoteca now you’ve made me so hungry! xo
Loving your blogs! Keep me coming. I can so see u in each of these situations and it makes me laugh. Love u.
Oops. Keep em coming…damn auto correct
Jo, the only similar situation I’ve had is when I had to buy tampons in Manhattan at a convenience store near Ronnie’s apt. But the thing is, they keep them on the top shelf, behind the cashier, like where the condoms and cigarettes are, but much higher. So you have to ask the cashier to get out his ‘claw’ and retrieve the exact size/absorbtion you need…in front of 10-15 impatient New Yorkers. I stared at the tampons, looked back at the line, looked back at the tampons, and walked out with nothing but my pride intact. Sent Ronnie to buy them instead – yes the 6’3″ gay man had no problem announcing that he wanted “the combo pack of regulars and supers” in front of everyone. He came out with them, and the cashier followed him out to say to me “Its only natural – you don’t have to be embarrassed about it!” Jesus Christ. So Jo…its only natural that you’re not fluent in their language yet, and getting the chance to rely on the kindness of strangers is a healthy lesson. But shit, I would’ve been sweating bullets. Glad you got through it! And yes, the Perla’s guy is amazing. 7 hour date last night – details to come ;) Keep typing Italian to us – I want to pick up a few phrases just for fun…
Hang in there–your beautiful smile will melt their hearts… And distract them!! Xo
Austin’s loss is Italy’s gain!!
Jo, you keep putting a smile on my face every time I read your blog. I love that you write so that I (we all) feel like we are there with you.
Good luck on your next venture to the market. Love you!
Stacy
David and I laughed together reading this! Makes me smile!