It’s safe to say that growing up in an Italian household was rather unique and fairly different from the way your friends grew up. You didnt completly understand back then, but you are now grateful for all the life lessons it has taught you.
Let’s dive into the 20 Signs You Grew Up Italian:
1. You thought there was actually ice cream in these containers

Instead, Nonna would use these to store her tomato sauce.
2. You ran at the sight of a wooden spoon

Or a belt, slipper, or broom.
3. Someone in the family had plastic still on the chairs

No matter how hard you tried, you could never get comfortable on it.
4. You always left Nonna’s $20 richer

She would tell you to treat yourself to an ice cream but you knew you weren’t going to spend it on just ice cream.
5. You participated in the tomato sauce process

It was a great bonding experience with your Nonni even though they wouldn’t let you work too hard.
6. Your mother pinned a corno on you on your Baptism and Communion

To protect you from malocchio on your special day.
7. You found it weird that your non-Italian friends didn’t have 2 kitchens in their houses.
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You had an outdated kitchen in the basement and another kitchen on the main floor for special occasions only.
8. Your Nonni gave you coffee at a young age.

And that’s where your coffee addiction started.
9. The cantina was always stocked with olive oil, wine,
giardinara, and salami hanging from the ceiling.

Every now and then you would go in there and touch the salami to see if they felt ready to eat.
10. If your parents pissed you off you’d always call Nonna.

And she always took your side.
11. Salad was eaten after your meal, never before.

And your mother used oil, vinegar and salt to dress it. You never had the store-bought dressings.
12. You felt if you brought someone home that wasn’t Italian your family wouldn’t approve

Ma chi cazzo é Billy?!
13. Diets and calorie counting wasn’t a thing.

And if you were on a diet it usually didn’t last very long.
14. You understood the importance of freshly baked Italian bread

You didn’t have lunch or dinner without it.
15. You enjoy the old mafia movies

The Godfather is one of them.
16. If you were sick, pastina would fix everything

So would staying home with Nonna watching The Price is Right.
17. Your Nonno’s giardino is his pride and joy

God forbid you went anywhere near it without his supervision.
18. Your friends all think you’re yelling but that’s just your talking voice

You got this trait from your loud parents most likely.
19. No matter what other Italian food you ate, Nonna always made it better

You would say it out loud too.
20. You love to show off your Italian pride

Not just for the World Cup, but any chance you get.
What are some things you remember growing up with? Let us know in the comments.
Sources:
Main Photo by Eaters Collective [Unsplash]
Every time we said goodbye it took hours. We always went to family on Sunday and no matter where we went there was always food and you had to eat even if you just ate.
after supper the men would go to the club have drinks and play bucci ball all night
“MAA! eh MAA! ”
4 family members talking normally sounds like a room Full of people.