This past month "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" was released. If you have ever seen the series, it is about an "outsider" falling in love with a Greek woman. Now I am not Greek, but Italian culture is just as strong as Greek culture. If you are not of Italian heritage, it may come to a shock to you the first time you step into an Italian household. There are some key things to expect when dating an Italian.
1. "The Family"
When dating an Italian, you are dating his/her family as well. La familia is the main focus on any Italian's mind. You will meet their Nonna and Nonno. These are the grandparents and if you don't get their approval, pack your bags because there will be no future in the relationship. Always eat Nonna's cooking, no matter what it is and how much she offers. Then there are the brothers and sisters. I have never met an Italian family that doesn't have two to six children at a minimum. You will also have to gain their approval as well. There are the zias and zios (aunts and uncles) and the cousins too. Everyone will have to meet you at some point and will talk to you like you have been a part of the group for 20 years.
2. The Father
If you are dating an Italian girl, then you have to deal with my father. In my case, I am the only daughter of three children; I am my dad's princess. Every Italian girl is their dad's princess so you are expected to treat her as such. When you first meet the father, do not feel intimidated. Whether he looks like he came straight out of an episode of the "Soprano's" or not, your first impression is going to be key. If he doesn't like you, don't expect to leave that house with his daughter. It isn't going to happen.
3. The Mother
Now, if you are dating an Italian boy, you are dating an "Italian Prince." An Italian prince is a coined term that we give sons that are babied by their mothers. My brothers, my father, and my cousins are all prime examples of this. Their mother makes their bed, does their laundry, cooks for them, and so on and so forth. If you are not ready to do this for your man, their mother is not going to like you. You have to rise to her standards and treat her little boy like the prince that he is.
4. Food
Pasta, cheese, bread, Tiramisu, espresso. All different types of food that you are going to have to be ready to eat almost five times a week. Carbs are what make Italians function on the daily. You don't necessarily have to know how to cook. Leave that to the Italian because if it is not correctly done you will be intensely criticized. These staples will become a part of your daily life so acquire a taste for them.
5. Holidays
Every holiday, whether it is Easter or Memorial Day, calls for a big family party. Everyone who is around will come over, well dressed, for some type of five-course meal. Followed by hour long conversations at the table. This is expected, and if you do not attend with your significant other, expect to be asked at the next event where you were.
6. Loud and Talkative and Argumentative
The stereotype is very true. I do not know how to talk at a low volume. My whisper is a scream. Italians are very loud and also love to talk (with their hands too). Expect to not get much in when having a conversation with an Italian. You will get your small amount of time to speak but they will run the conversation. We also like to argue and are always right. Arguments can turn into screaming matches because of how passionate we get.
7. Italian Pride
In the end, the biggest thing to expect is your significant other to have very strong Italian pride. Our roots are what make us who we are. Our family is the world to us and our culture is our life. We love to share our culture with others and embracing Italian culture is a sign of respect to us. We are very proud of our heritage and it will be shown in everything we do.
