Oh, for Pete’s sake! Seriously? The over-head advertisement inside the tram this morning is a large photo of a good-looking man in a tuxedo biting the shoulder of a totally naked woman. The text of this ad, translated loosely, suggests, “The lower your appetite, the more appetizing you become.”
Allow me to share something with you. Americans are often guilty of imagining all young Italian women as curvy and voluptuous, and older Italian women as well-rounded and plump.
BUT I have been doing a bit of research, friends, and most of the Italian women I see on trains and trams in Turin, or walking down the sidewalks of Milan, arm in arm, weigh less than 110 pounds. I am pleased to dispel stereotypes whenever I can, and I have to tell you that the women here, young and old alike, eat pasta every single day, and still maintain healthy physical proportions. A plus-size, full-figured Italian woman is not the norm.
Of course, I can only speak of the Northern Italians, who, I am sorry to say, vehemently deny any similarity to or relationship with Southern Italians. It is a different planet down in the Mezzogiorno, they tell me. I have done no observations in the south, so my data is too insufficient to comment.
I am happy to report, however, that after six months of living and working in the land of lasagna, polenta and focaccia, I can still fit into my clothing and buckle my belt in the same slot.
I do have to add, though, that chances are still very slim that a handsome Italian man will ever be persuaded to bite me. I’d like to see him try!
Seriously. I really would.
Your stuff often makes me laugh in the morning. Thanks
My good angel is saying "Do not make any comment on the photo of Sofia Loren--it will just sound creepy."
I'm glad that some people can eat pasta and polenta and never gain weight. Certainly not the case with me. Maybe it's the beer?
I knew a guy years ago from Northern Italy and your comments ring true to me. He did, in a very guarded way, draw a distinction between the northern and southern people, as if to say that the northern Italians were more sophisticated and cultured. His accent was very different from any of the other Italians I have met--almost a hint of French. I hope to visit Italy one day soon.
Thanks for sharing this Sharron.