It's also true that food has social value for Italians. One of those "offers you can't refuse" is pasta from your nonna.
I know my relatives were desperately poor during WWII. The branch of the family that immigrated to the U.S. has a lot of obesity, but the branches who went to South America and Italy don't.
I'm fascinated that the men who were born here tend to have traditional views (e.g. your mom shouldn't remarry if dad dies) but when I think of the ones who stayed in Italy my first thought is "they look gay" and I mean that as a compliment not an insult.
Oh, that. Yes, it's true- all around the Mediterranean. We love our food :)
>> I'm fascinated that the men who were born here tend to have traditional views (e.g. your mom shouldn't remarry if dad dies) but when I think of the ones who stayed in Italy my first thought is "they look gay" and I mean that as a compliment not an insult.
Yes, I know what you mean. It's a whatsitcalled, a common trope, that second- and third-generation immigrants are a bit behind the times with traditional values compared to the people who actually stay behind. I don't know how true it is. I have some family who emigrated to the US, but I rarely get to see them anymore. And my folks Back Home are conservative enough anyway...
And I know what you mean about modern Italian men, also. They don't really do macho.
Hey Paul. I think I've heard this before. Is it because of portion sizes that some immigrants end up with the problems you describe? Back home in Greece, I hear stories about the gigantic portions encountered in the Americas by Greek immigrants, e.g. giant beef steaks that can't be eaten in one sitting etc.