Dear Blog Readers, you are all going to think I am completely nuts, but here goes. Today I was walking home from work down Rome’s famous Via Del Corso lost deep in thought, I was thinking about my usual concerns (work -Italian hostage killed in botched British rescue attempt in Nigeria and kids- Caterina has Confirmation class and departure for Scout trip at same time on Saturday), and I look up and see the perfect t-shirt for my blog coming right at me.
It said it all — a young man in a t-shirt with big black letters VIVA LA MAMMA – or long live mama! It sums up a lot of what I have been writing about, young Italian men who live for their Mammas, or perhaps I have been writing more about Mammas who sacrifice for their Italian sons. Anyway, I instantly decided I needed a photo of that young Italian man in his VIVA LA MAMMA t-shirt. Being a tv journalist I know you can’t hesitate if you want the shot. So I stopped the guy and blurted out in Italian, “Excuse me, I just love that t-shirt and would it be ok if I took a photo of you for my blog about Italian Mammas.”
He and his friends stopped and he looked at me and in pretty good English he said, “I don’t speak Italian.” I was shocked. Only an Italian male could be wearing such a shirt. So I asked him where he was from and he said he was Greek. I asked him if Greeks were Mama-boys too and he confirmed that indeed they are. Hmmm, must be a Mediterranean Men thing.
My Italian/American daughter Caterina has a slightly different take on the subject:
Great blog! It does bring out the Male Mediterranean commonality. Maybe you should develop your own T-shirt businesss. Caterina looks like she is growing into a fine woman with good taste in T-shirts.
Anyone wearing such a thing on the streets of UK would be mugged! Shame really.
Another classic post! Finally arrived in Rome after a delayed Paris flight … On Friday afternoon. Amazing day in Rome, jet lagged but wired! Supposedly airfrance is sending us our missing luggage tomorrow morning! It would be nice to wear clean non bum clothing here! With all the style pressure! But happy to be here! We are here until March 20! Walked ate drank wine watched the sun set on pincio… Will look for mammals boys when I shoot the streets! Love this shot !!!
Gorgeous, my hubby is certainly a Mama’s boy even now. When she comes the two of them take off to the kitchen and are in happy land together. Love your daughters T-shirt! ciao lisa
Both Mommas are nurturing :-) love the photos!
Trisha,
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this post. I am married to the biggest “viva la mamma” man around – so I am sure this extends into the realm of Turkey. I am working on a similar blog posting on this topic on my back burner. My brain is like a proverbial hotel stove these days, with many pots a-boiling.
Also, I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award. This is an award for new (or new-er) bloggers, awarded by other bloggers, in order to bring people to your site. You can check out my review of MM on my current post. May it bring some folks your way!!!
Love,
Liz
Thank you Liz for your comment and for the nomination, that was so sweet of you!! I will go check out your review now. Here is the link if anyone is interested.
http://slowly-by-slowly.com/2012/03/13/the-karagoz-puppets-revel-in-blog-love-around-the-world/#comment-5909
Also, just check out the rest of Liz’s blog: http://slowly-by-slowly.com/
She writes beautifully about her experiences as a born and raised Bostonian in a cross-cultural marriage with a man from Istanbul.