We were vacationing in Italy one glorious spring. We gazed in awe at the magnificent scenery of Tuscany and marveled at the art masterpieces in the Uffizi.
This was our first trip, and I took it very seriously I wanted to enjoy every bit of the Italian experience, including speaking Italian. To advance my goal I found a young Italian woman, an exchange student at our local college, Drew University. Francesca was delighted to earn a little extra spending money, and I was excited to study her language in the exact manner that she spoke it, so I hired her as my tutor. I pictured myself speaking to native Italians as if I were one of them, and with a perfect accent. I also imagined the fun I’d have being able to eavesdrop on their conversations, since they would assume an American tourist wouldn’t understand what they were saying.
I very much enjoyed the lessons with Francesca as much as I loved her stories of life in Italy.
When the time came for the trip I approached it with the air of a person setting out to speak Italian with Italians, despite my limited vocabulary. They would be so impressed with an American making the effort to communicate with them in their own language.
One of the first chores I had set for myself was sending post cards back home. Buying stamps would be a great way start speaking to an Italian!
Francesca had taught me counting, so I knew how to say the numbers.
The word for stamps is Francobolli. I was prepared for my first encounter.
Off I went to the first post office I saw. I stood in line and when my turn came, confidently walked up to the man behind the counter and said, “Due Francobolli, per favore.”
But he was not to be fooled by my bravado. He answered in perfect English, with a perfect accent, “Oh, so you would like two stamps, right?”
‘Talk about bursting someone’s balloon…
MorristownMemos 
Comments on: "ITALIAN SPEAK" (11)
Perhaps he was trying to practice his English or just show off that he knew enough to answer. I am impressed that you were trying. And I agree that it is the polite thing to do to try and communicate in the country’s language. And he did understand you so you must have done it right!
I had that very same leesson in Spanish, Ronnie, only with a menu instead of stamps. 🙂
That is so funny; those Europeans sure know how to tell us who’s smarter!
Nasty Man- He would be wise to be more gracious towards American tourists making an effort to communicate in HIS native language. USA a far more friendly place.
Maybe not a nasty man, but perhaps one with little patience for tourists trying to impress postal workers with their linguistic brilliance. I try to remember that although I am on vacation, the person I am addressing is working.
I was in a metro station in Paris trying to buy a ticket. They had this control that selected the language for the machine. You’d spin this wheel until your country flag showed up and that was the language it used. For the life of me I couldn’t find the American flag. Then an English speaking person happened by and kindly pointed out that the British flag would set the display to show English.
Who know that Britain and America both used English!?!
Yes, it’s a case of two countries using English and still speaking two separate languages.
Ah yes, I had this happen many times when I was first practicing my French in Paris. Luckily, after a few months as an au pair girl, they stopped speaking back to me in English. 🙂
Wow, Carrie; you finally achieved the status of a French speaking woman! Congratulations! (I’d say it in French but I never studied that language.)
English is prevalent but I think people still appreciate efforts to speak their language!
Do you think that the man selling stamps in that Italian post office appreciated my efforts?