For those curious about living in Italy

[cartman]

Ciao a tutti (translation: Howdy y'all),

WSUCougar's post helped to stir some people's memory that I'm in exile here in Italy. I've gotten quite a few messages asking about what's it like living in Milano. Well, here is a little Shockwave clip that pretty much sums up the differences between Italians and the rest of Europe. It's about 2MB, so dial-up users might have to wait a bit. It's so funny because it is all true! Enjoy!


http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/shockwave/italy.swf

[MIJB#19]

Well, the latest happenings in the EU meetings make things very clear:
Italian politicians have a terrible sense of humour, especially towards Germans.

Cartman, how big is the hype around Le Tour de France in Italy?
"They" always say Italy is cycling crazy, but what is the truth about it?
How are the latest ideas around:
- Alessandro Petacchi's 4 stage wins and his terrible exit
- Gilberto Simoni's huge dissapointment
- Stefano Garzelli's form
- Danilo Di Luca's illness in the first days
- Ivan Basso's form and possibilites to finish high, despite seeing his team being down from 9 to 3 riders
- Paolo Bettini's bad luck so far
- the absence of Mario Cipollini

And soccer wise:
- Andy van der Meyde going to Italy, how big of a news is it?

[cartman]

Hey MIJB,

I have to agree with you on Berlusconi's comments, as well as the junior Tourism minister. But back in the US we have the exact same sort of regional rivalries, but since these are soverign countries, and not individual states, the comments get a lot more press.

Italians seem to be following the tour very well. It's the lead item in the paper everyday. But since there isn't an Italian challenging for the lead, the general public isn't paying as much attention as normal, I've been told. Especially since "The Pirate" isn't in, and Petacchi wimped out on the very first climb.

As for van der Meyde, I'm an Interista, so I was happy to see him arrive. He should be a good feeder for Vieri, and he did play well against AC Milan in the CL quarterfinal for Ajax. But in regards to him in particular it wasn't huge news, mainly because Moratti went on a little spree, signing 6 new players.

[Axxon]

I think the film was pretty funny. I missed Italy last time I went to Europe but if I get to go again, I surely won't. Looks like I'd fit in well there; not much different from South Carolina.

[Ryan S]

Originally posted by MIJB#19
Italian politicians have a terrible sense of humour, especially towards Germans.

I actually found Berlusconi's comments hilarious, but the furious reaction from the Germans was even funnier.

[MIJB#19]

Originally posted by cartman
I have to agree with you on Berlusconi's comments, as well as the junior Tourism minister. But back in the US we have the exact same sort of regional rivalries, but since these are soverign countries, and not individual states, the comments get a lot more press.

Well, I was kinda joking.
I haven't taken the time to figure out the correct quote, all I know is that Berlusconi has gotten a lot of EU leaders against him for lieing about making his excuses towards Germany.

Originally posted by cartman
Italians seem to be following the tour very well. It's the lead item in the paper everyday. But since there isn't an Italian challenging for the lead, the general public isn't paying as much attention as normal, I've been told. Especially since "The Pirate" isn't in, and Petacchi wimped out on the very first climb.

Finally some eyewitness proof.
Thanks.
Do they really think Marco Pantani could still pull it of in France? Didn't he do terrible in the latest Giro?

Originally posted by cartman
As for van der Meyde, I'm an Interista, so I was happy to see him arrive. He should be a good feeder for Vieri, and he did play well against AC Milan in the CL quarterfinal for Ajax. But in regards to him in particular it wasn't huge news, mainly because Moratti went on a little spree, signing 6 new players.

So it's big news here, as Van der Meyde is a rebel and, when he feels like sacraficing his free weekend, is the starting right winger for the national team.
Ajax won't miss him and I bet he'll be a typical Coppa Italia player...

[MylesKnight]

Do all Italian Males use the term "Breakin' My Balls" on a hourly basis?

What about "Bustin' My Chops"?

I think these are the real Italian Issues we want to know about..

[cartman]

Originally posted by MylesKnight
Do all Italian Males use the term "Breakin' My Balls" on a hourly basis?

What about "Bustin' My Chops"?

I think these are the real Italian Issues we want to know about..

Well Myles, hate to disappoint ya, but you've been watching too many Sopranos epsiodes...

They do use the Italian equivalent of "stop breaking my balls" quite a bit, which is "Non I rompere mi coglioni"!

[3ric]

Cartman, the bus stop situation in the movie had me laughing out lod, since exactly that happened to me and my wife when we were in Italy two months ago...

[thealmighty]

That was great. Having been in Italy for spring break in March (and haviing been born in Italia, btw), I can say... "Vive la difference!" (yeah, I know that is french, but it's the most suitable for the situation.)