Posts by Peter Kim3

hahaha, oh man, what a classic stereotype! You've got the whole trope down: Italians being small, loud, dark-skinned, and so on... meanwhile, I’m standing here at about 6'1"...

I actually heard people call us "frogs," and honestly, I've always been curious about where that label even came from... nobody here actually eats frogs, unless you count those fancy restaurant owners and chefs who whip up expensive French-style cuisine for the top 5% of the population... back home, frogs are pretty rare, yet we still get slapped with that nickname...

A lot of Italiotes seem to drift toward fascism because, in my opinion, they just don't give a damn—returning to fascism isn't going to solve anything. I think you might have misread the situation; it's not really about Southerners fighting Northerners, it's more about creating a fascist identity against outsiders. It’s a tough question with a lot of moving parts. It's not just the brainless neo-fascists; you also have the "radical chic" crowd, which is basically a bunch of hypocritical people coming from the left... how do I even describe them? They’re these phony "communists" who act exactly like the bourgeoisie, even though they claim the bourgeoisie is the problem. Does that make sense? Unfortunately, I can't quite find the right way to explain it, but just know that in my eyes, they're all fakes. Whether they come from the right or the left, they're all just Average Italians—or Italiotes, if you ask me. Look, let's assume I don't know everything; it's hard to categorize the whole mess. One thing is certain, though—politicians on both the left and the right know exactly what they're doing when it comes to manipulating their followers! They certainly know how to blow through cash, too. I know I'm not saying anything groundbreaking, but nothing ever changes. Honestly, you described the current state of affairs here pretty accurately...

What's the vibe in America? From what I gather, there's just way too much nationalism among teenagers and young adults, mostly driven by stuff like Thompson and his lyrics.
..well, at least that's what I "Googled"... but maybe I'm off base. I've never actually traveled through the States, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!

It's not just the folks from central Italy, it's the whole country... and keep in mind, Tuscany isn't the North, it's the center! 🙂

Cheers from Italy

Sean Bailey75 said:Would it sound better if I said: "I live in and was born in Rome, right in the heart of Italy"? 😉

So, I ran into these two women from the Midwest—I’m pretty sure they were from Iowa or somewhere around there—who were telling me all about their big trip through the Mediterranean. They had gone everywhere: North Africa, through Turkey and Greece, then up through Albania and Mexico, eventually hitting Dubrovnik before finishing up in Chicago. The funny thing was, they were acting completely disillusioned with the whole region. When I asked why on earth they picked such an exhausting route, they told me they didn't want to just take a standard tourist package; they wanted to "do it themselves" and really experience the local life. When I asked where they were heading next, they said they were planning to visit Rome in Romania. Then, they actually turned to me and asked for the best way to get from Chicago to there using an Interrail pass. I had to pause and ask, "Wait, do you want to go to Rome, or do you want to go to Romania?" They looked at me like I was the crazy one and insisted, "We want to go to Rome in Romania." I finally had to break it to them: Rome isn't the capital of Romania. They just stared at me blankly and asked, "But isn't it Algiers, Tunisia, Rome, Romania?" 😁

Does it make sense? Sure, I guess. But honestly, it’s kind of ridiculous... 😁

You’ve shared some really interesting news there. I can see you actually give a damn about preserving culture, and honestly? I respect that. It's a rare quality these days.
There’s a huge influx of Romanians around here lately; so many have moved in. I hate to be the one to say it, but honestly, there’s a significant amount of criminal activity tied to that group. Because of that, I see the local Italiotes looking at them with this massive amount of prejudice. But you know what? The problem is that the Italiotes are just being ignorant. To an Italiote, anyone from Eastern Europe is automatically labeled a criminal or a "gypsy." They basically lump Romanians, Americans, and Mexicans all into one big, messy category. It’s just lazy thinking.
I don't really hang out with him. Don't get me wrong, they're actually pretty sharp people, but they just don't seem to use their heads. For instance, they can even...
Look, you can have all the PhDs in the world or decide to study economics at some big-name university, but it doesn't change the fundamental math of who these people are. If they’re only chasing their own narrow interests and looking out for their own bottom line, they aren't driven by anything resembling integrity. They are essentially bad actors who view human kindness as nothing more than an opportunity to exploit. They’ll look you right in the eye and tell you that you can trust them, but honestly? Don't believe a word they say. Take it from me—never trust them.

They’re going to come after you, believe me. Don't ever let them in close enough to hear your secrets. Once they have them, they'll just run straight to the press to publish everything.

They aren't just ignorant, either. No, they’re actually incredibly cunning. We’re talking about a deeply corrupt society—one that has gone out of its way to redefine what it means to be "normal."

An Italiote is also widely known as the "Average Italian"...

Like I was saying above, there are really just two different kinds.

The ones who just don't get it—the complete amateurs.
There’s a specific breed of hypocrite out there—the kind of person who uses you as a stepping stone and then disappears the moment you actually need them. You can never truly trust them. I've noticed this pattern most often among the wealthy elite, though it isn't exclusive to them. There's this old stereotype about the "Average Italian"—the idea that they lack any real depth and are only driven by superficial impulses, like someone who thinks they're brilliant just because they managed to buy the latest iPhone. But honestly, I think that's a perfect way to describe those opportunists too. They aren't motivated by logic or loyalty; they're just looking for the next shiny thing or the next person they can exploit for their own gain. That's the true definition of an "Average Italian."

So, what exactly do these two groups have in common?

There are just so many loaded terms and wildly different perspectives flying around out there. You see people shouting things like, "All gay people are sick and abnormal," or pivoting back to old-school fascism with cries of, "We need to take our country back from foreigners!" Then you’ve got that other crowd claiming that if a guy is still a virgin between the ages of 20 and 40, he’s basically a total loser with massive issues that we should all just steer clear of. It's endless.

Sarah Garcia84 said:Look, I'm from Rome. That's where I live and where I was born (you tend to mix up your timelines, so watch out for that—it shows up later in your text too)... though honestly, mentioning both is a bit redundant here. It's the heart of Italy. I'm not quite a Cornbread eater, nor am I a Southerner... we're a diverse bunch. There's an old saying: "Italy has been made, now we have to make the Italians!" And man, is that true (though maybe skip the extra filler words next time, they don't really fit the vibe). Personally, I've never really hit it off with most crowds, let alone women... meanwhile, you've got four hundred and forty-five of them? Nice work, champ!!! 🙂
One of these days, I don't know exactly how it'll happen, but I'm going to marry an American woman... I've pretty much lost all faith in Italian girls. They crave the spotlight way too much; they act like little princesses who can get away with anything. I mean, come on... obviously, they aren't all like that, but most of them are. Italian women are gorgeous, sure, but about five years ago when I was just 15 (that came out a bit clunky, but I get what you meant), I met some Americans... and my whole world changed.
I find myself more attracted to Americans now...

Once again, thanks a million for the corrections, Sarah Garcia84! You're a real teacher; I'm improving so much thanks to you.
You have so much patience. Happy New Year, dear!

Sean Bailey75 said:Ever wonder why those Northerners up north in Italy get called "Cornbread eaters"? It’s one of those weird regional nicknames that sticks around forever. Basically, it all comes down to what was on the dinner table back in the day. While people down south were heavily into pasta and different grains, the folks up north relied way more on cornmeal—specifically making polenta. It was their staple, their fuel, their whole deal. So, naturally, the Southerners started poking fun at them, labeling them based on their diet. It's pretty much like how certain regions in the States might have a nickname based on whether they grew corn or lived off grits. Just a classic bit of regional ribbing over food. 😁So, we have those Southerners... are they actually our people? 😁)..?

Let me break this down for you—briefly and directly. Everyone seems to agree that polenta is basically the staple food of Northern Italy. Back in the day, a massive wave of Southerners migrated up North to find work in the factories and chase the wealth, leaving behind a South that was dominated by organized crime, a rural mindset, and widespread poverty. A lot of those people eventually moved even further afield to places like Switzerland or Germany, where they often ended up as easy targets for discrimination—your classic migrant worker struggling to get by in a foreign land, much like the Turkish communities there. There’s actually a specific slang for it, too. Northerners use the term "Terrone" to describe someone from the South—it essentially implies a "dirt eater," a derogatory way of calling someone a poor peasant who survives on the land. In retaliation, the Southerners started calling the Northerners "Polentone" to poke fun at their obsession with cornmeal. It’s just one of those endless cycles of regional friction.

People from the heartland like me? We don't fall into those "Cornbread eater" or "Southerner" categories. We're just our own breed entirely.

Keep this saying in mind: Once you've mastered the landscape of Italy, the real work begins—you actually have to learn how to be an Italian.

Italy has finally been established as an independent, unified nation, but that’s only half the battle. Now comes the real work: actually creating an Italian people.

I’m going to jump into the other thread too!

crimsonpuma23 said:thanks

Man, I just realized my mistake—it's "lo studente" becomes "gli studenti." My bad. 🙂
Anyway, if you think American rap is bad,
check this out:

Our home, the Fish Republic...😁

Of course, I already knew this track! Absolute legends.
The Pescen zone is dangerous territory; I'll dribble past you like Maradona. Pescenica is my kid, and I am Pescen from head to toe!

God, I love Slade!!! She and Rozga are easily the most beautiful women in my book...

You're right, though—this song actually hits harder.

[QUOTE=Frank Hall3;52825822]Dr. Dre

[/QUOTE

Seriously, you guys need to check out Dr. Dre! I've got him on loop right now.

This is Dr. Dre at his best.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zg9ZBtg0Xig[/QUOTE]

crimsonpuma23 said:No, the real issue here is that you’ve just grown old. 🙂

Snowball fighting is basically just making a ball out of snow and then trying to pelt everyone around you—be it a pedestrian, a city bus, a trolley, or someone's window, etc.

ahhhhhh okay, I get it now, thanks 🙂

crimsonpuma23 said:Fabrizio, you're actually pretty funny. 😁

And why else wouldn't we say Happy New Year 2015!!! 🙂

Hahaha, actually, you don't say "il studente"—it’s "lo studente." When you're dealing with a word starting with an 's', the rule changes from "il" to "lo." It's just one of those little grammar quirks that trips you up if you aren't paying attention.
Look, it’s not like we call it "two thousand fifteen" in any other context. When we’re talking about years, we just treat them like regular numbers. It’s like saying "Happy 2015"—it’s straightforward, simple, and honestly, much more natural than overcomplicating things.

And honestly, why even bother saying Happy New Year 2015? It makes zero sense. You basically just said, "So, why Happy 2015?" in Italian.

Why does "because" even matter? Honestly, I feel like we spend half our lives trying to justify things that don't actually need an explanation. It’s like when someone asks you why you chose a specific burger joint or why you’re listening to a certain track—sometimes there isn't a deep, philosophical reason. You just did it. We get so caught up in the "why" that we forget the "what" is usually plenty. 🙂

Happy New Year to you too!

crimsonpuma23 said:I’m just messing around a bit, you know. 😎 I’m not a bigot and I don't hold prejudices. 😉
I picked up some Italian back in school; it's a fascinating language.
The numbers especially. Io ho quattrocentoquarantacinque ragazze italiane. 🤣

A Southerner is just someone from the South, plain and simple.
But mentally speaking, Italians are more like the folks from the Deep South than they are like people from New York or Chicago or whatever.
Tutta Italia e la mia squadra. 😛
Which part of Italy are you living in and writing from today? And what's the weather like out there?

I'm from Rome. That's where I live, where I was born... it's truly the heart of Italy. I'm neither a Northerner nor a Southerner... we're all so different. There's that saying, "Fatta l'Italia, adesso bisogna fare gli Italiani!" which basically means, "Italy has been made, now we have to make Italians!" and honestly, it hits the nail on the head. I've never really clicked with my buddies, let alone girls... especially when you're claiming to have four hundred and forty-five of them! Nice work, man!!! 🙂
One of these days, I don't know exactly how it'll happen, but I'm going to marry an American woman... I've kind of lost faith in Italian women... they crave the spotlight way too much, acting like little princesses who can get away with anything... man, seriously... obviously they aren't all like that, but most of them are... Italian women are gorgeous, no doubt, but about five years ago when I was only 15 and met some American girls... my whole perspective shifted.
I find myself more attracted to American women now...

No—how's the weather outside? (che tempo fa fuori?)
So... it's cold... freezing... around 35 degrees...

crimsonpuma23 Asks:
Sarah Garcia84, why don't you give our guest a call and have them come over to your place for some one-on-one coaching? 😒
Honestly, the guy clearly has no idea what real American music sounds like.
Just let him listen to this:
I watched that video, and honestly, it’s kind of like watching someone try to build an IKEA bookshelf without the instructions—lots of frantic movement, some impressive-looking tools being used, but ultimately you're left wondering why there are three extra screws lying on the floor at the end. There’s this specific energy in the way they approach the subject that feels incredibly familiar, almost like a tech startup trying to disrupt an industry that wasn't actually broken to begin with. You know the type. They come in with all this high-level jargon, acting like they've discovered fire, when really they've just figured out how to make a slightly more expensive lighter. It’s all very polished, very "Silicon Valley," but if you peel back one layer of the marketing gloss, you start seeing the cracks in the logic. It reminds me of those old debates we used to have about whether more complexity actually equals better performance. It rarely does. Usually, it just means more things can break. They're selling a solution to a problem most people didn't even know they had, which is the oldest trick in the book. It’s clever, I’ll give them that, but I’m not exactly jumping for joy over it. I'll stick to my current setup, thanks. It might not be "revolutionary," but at least it doesn't require a software update every time I want to turn it on.
And then:
🙂

It honestly baffles me that a guy who’s basically your quintessential Southern stereotype would spend more time bumping rap than listening to traditional folk music. It’s pretty wild, especially since he’s even admitted that his local dialect is practically peppered with Italian influences. 🙂

What does it actually mean when someone calls you a "Southerner"? If that’s meant to be an insult, please, let's not go around judging Italians based on stereotypes. And honestly, how can you even root for a hardcore fan club like that if you’re living in a city like Chicago? Did you move there recently or something? I know it sounds a bit wild—this idea of an Italian guy growing up immersed in American hip-hop culture—but I felt this deep, internal pull to understand that world, almost like it was a calling from God Himself. Listening to American rappers makes me feel right at home. Like I mentioned before, I pick up on some Southern slang here and there, but it’s not really my vibe. I’ve always had a much stronger affinity for that gritty, fast-paced slang you hear in places like New York.

I’ve been through the ringer for this. I’ve fought tooth and nail for the music from the old North American states, and let me tell you, people didn't take it lightly. I’ve actually been jumped behind the high school just for sticking to my guns, but honestly? It’s a matter of faith at this point. At my core, I’m an Italian, plain and simple. But that old-school hip-hop from back home is a massive part of who I am. Sending love all the way from Italy.

Sarah Garcia84 said:Actually, the verbs noticed or spotted would fit much better here. Like, I noticed or I spotted that the target...and so on.

It’s just like what Restmen says in that song "How to be cool"—the second you walked into the club, I noticed you were different...

That was one of the first American hip-hop tracks I ever fell in love with. It brings back so many memories from when I was sixteen, back in the summer of 2010... back when everyone else in the States was still obsessing over "Waka Waka" and all those other mindless commercial hits. 🙂

Hey crimsonhound4, what's the deal with "grudging"? What does that even mean?

Are you an Italian enthusiast too? I noticed "la vita è bella" in your signature.

Happy New Year, anyway!

Sarah Garcia84 said:It’s not just a sentence correction; it’s a whole linguistic overhaul.
I don't say "I ain't doing it," I say "I'm doing it."
Honestly, fixing your grammar is becoming my favorite pastime.😁

I have no idea what you were even trying to get at with that highlighted part of the sentence.??🤔

I thought highlighting meant "to notice" or "to observe"... when I said I was correcting the sentence, I meant that while I was listening to the subway, I realized the target uses way too much slang.

No, I don't live in America...

Syntax is basically just how you organize and arrange your sentences, whether you're talking or writing.

Maria Johnson said:God help me☕🤣

Hahaha, alright, fair point...

Thanks for the correction, Sarah Garcia84. I’m still making mistakes, which is expected since I’ve never actually lived in the States; I haven't really had the chance to speak the language in a real-world setting. I know the slang in a big city like New York can be tricky, but I've been picking up some bits from studying local blogs (just an FYI, not a plug, I promise). From listening to the subway announcements on the L train, I noticed people tend to use certain slang terms instead of standard English. Like, local rappers might say they "dig" something rather than "understand" it, or they'll talk about "hitting on" someone instead of "flirting." It's all very specific.

Then you have the Southern slang, which is a whole different beast. For example, someone down there might say, "I woke up, shut the window, headed out, looked at the sky and thought, man, this world is beautiful... then I ran into my buddy and grabbed a burger with him."

A lot of words actually have roots in other languages... but personally, I’m more into the urban slang. Just my two cents.

Hey everyone, let me introduce myself—and please bear with me if my American English feels a bit off. To be honest, I’m actually Italian. I’m a twenty-year-old guy from Italy, and I’m not even trying to hide it; in fact, it’s actually
a point of pride for me that I can speak and have basically taught myself this language. I absolutely love it. I didn't pick it up in a classroom setting, but rather spent about four or five years studying it on my own throughout my teens. I started way back when I was just sixteen—just a kid really—and at that point, I couldn't understand a single word. American rap was honestly what got me through some pretty rough patches, and I’m obsessed with it. Naturally, I'm always spinning tracks by artists like Eminem (who I love) and those old-school legends. Honestly, modern Italian rap has gone downhill; it’s become too commercialized for my taste, with the exception of a few greats like Padre Pio (my absolute favorite) and the old-school Eminem style. Everything else lately is just garbage. I’m also big into cars, and I recently stumbled upon watching Top Gear on YouTube. I love it, man; the banter between the guys is just top-tier.

So, you see,
even though I'm Italian, I grew up immersed in this culture... it’s part of my history. About five years ago, when I was still a naive fifteen-year-old, I went absolutely crazy for this one American girl, and I’m actually really grateful to her. At first, I genuinely thought I was in love, but looking back, she was more of a chapter in my life that provided me with a lot of inspiration (is "inspiration" the right word to use there?). She really influenced who I am today. Before that, when I was fourteen, I didn't know anything about the US. Now, let’s be real—American girls are incredibly beautiful and striking, and while I don't know what the future holds, if the opportunity ever arises, I'd love to start a romance with an American girl... anyway, that's me in a nutshell.

Sorry again, I wasn't quite sure which subforum this belonged in. I was scrolling around a bit confused. Where should I have put this?