Most people are surprised when I tell them that I'm half Greek. For what reason; I have no idea. Maybe because there aren't an insane amount of Greeks in the city? Who knows. I was baptised Greek Orthodox but I'm also half Italian so I am exposed to both Greek and Italian cultures. Since the Greek side of my family speaks the language, I consider them more different from the American culture than the Italian side.
I don't consider my family's Italian culture to be very different from the American culture we live in. The most "Italian thing" I do is talk with my hands lol. Most Italians use a lot of hand movement when they speak and I do it all the time without realizing it. It's second nature for me and everyone else in my family. One thing that I realize about my family is that we always have big family dinners when we get together. Everyone sits at the table at once and its probably the loudest dinner table in the world; there isn't one person who isn't talking. I've realized that in the American culture, family dinners aren't as important. My family makes it a point to have dinner together almost every Sunday which always consists of pasta.
When I get together with the other half of my family who is Greek, it's quite different. The first thing one would realize would be the fact that most of us speakGreek. Those who don't, understand it but can't speak it. In the Greek tradition, it is normal to kiss a family member or friend on both cheeks when greeting them. The foods we eat are very different than the other half of my family eats. We eat lamb, octopus and lots of other seafoods that Italians don't eat much of. Every culture has its own traditional foods.
Other than the food and the language difference, both Greek and Italian people are very similar in cultures. They are both countries in the mediterranean, have some similar customs, and are very close to each other geographically. If anyones curious about either culture, just ask! Now lets see what you have to say about yours...
haha its funny that you mentioned that when your Italian part of the family gets together for a dinner, you guys are the loudest table. I often go to Italian restaurants with my mom and I always notice that people there are very loud and always talking. My mom is Russian, but she talks so loud and always uses her hands to explain something that people often think she is Italian. Now I understand why she likes to go to Italian restaurants :) nobody complains about her talking so loud and nobody looks at us like we are from another planet :)
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