4/9/2023 0 Comments Growing up italian![]() ![]() There is no tradition more revered than pranzo o cena with the family. Some might think Italians, being Catholic, observe the ritual of Sundays so steadfastly because it’s a holy day, one to attend la messa in chiesa, but any real Italian will tell you Sundays are hallowed because it’s the day you have lunch or dinner, sometimes both, at Nonnas. It was setting la tavola on constant rotation, amid noise and laughter and boisterous rounds of briscola. It meant someone was always coming or going through our revolving front door gli zii o i nonni o i cugini. There was always le condoglianze to be given, for a family friend, un terzo cugino, o la moglie di un amico del fratello di Giovanni. Sometimes, with a family as big as mine, it was un funerale. I grew up as an Italian, in Australia, and that meant una festa every third weekend un matrimonio, una comunione, un battesimo, una cresima. They didn’t have salami hanging from the roof in their garage. They didn’t appear to wear una canottiera under their school uniform. Other kids at school didn’t have peperonata sandwiches for lunch, or prosciutto e melanzane panini, or leftover polenta. It didn’t slide off the tongue in the same way Jones or Williams or Rossi did. Tighello wasn’t one many teachers could pronounce at roll call. ![]() An Italian one, but not as palatable as Ferrari or Romano, surnames the Anglo vernacular could handle. My surname, prior to getting married, was Tighello. In Italy, when I visit, they refer to me as L’Australiana. At home, in Australia, they call me The Italian. Growing up, I wasn’t sure where I was placed. They migrated to Australia separately, with their respective families, and met in Melbourne when they were in their twenties. ![]() My parents were born in Italia my Mum in Abruzzo and my Dad in Friuli. Now these aren't all of the things that it takes to be a Texan, but it is a good start.I was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, but people always ask me where I come from. Everything is sweeter in Texas, including the people. Teach them that Texas should not be about bigotry or close-mindedness, but kindness and acceptance.Grow a love of football in them if they don't already have one because they'll need it.SXSW, ACL, and FPSF provide good music, good food, and a good time. Listeria aside, it's the only brand we trust. Take your friend to get some Blue Bell.You'll be surprised how much a gas station can impress your friend. Convince your friend to switch from Coke to Dr Pepper.We know it gets hot in other places, but Texas heat (a blood-boiling combination of high temperatures and high humidity) is something else. Help your friend get accustomed to the heat.Texan is more than a way of living, its a state of being. Not every Texan lives on a ranch or rides a horse. What's more American than bull riding and cattle roping? "The Mexican food sucks north of here anyways" isn't just a line in a song. While we are on the subject of food, make sure they try some texmex.Not burgers or hot dogs, but brisket and ribs. Persuade them to invest in a good pair of cowboy boots. ![]() It should be illegal to go more than a week in Texas without ever having had a honey butter chicken biscuit.
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