They say we work too much here in the United States. By “they” I mean Italians. And by Italians I mean, only the ones I’ve heard quote this statement in movies… well, until I met this new friend at Anthony’s in Maitland, Fl.
Nick came here from Italy with his family for a better life.
He wanted his daughters to live with more opportunities.
I love parents.
To fulfill his roll as provider, he has helped run this pizzeria.
He is there when it opens and he often is there when it closes.
Just in the 15 minutes I was chatting with him, I saw him make over six pizzas.
If you do the math, that’s a lot of piemaking in a day!
He told me of the life of his brother who still lives in Italy.
He works in a warehouse and he works hard… but his hours are significantly shorter than our subject’s.
Also this brother gets the whole month of August off.
The. Whole. Month.
It’s not a special way he is playing hookie or tricking the system, it’s simply the culture.
The whole town basically goes on vacation the month of August.
Can you imagine a summer in all it’s wake-up-late, eat-junk-food, have-picnics, climb-trees glory not only for school children but for all the blue and white-collar working adults as well?!
For. a. whole. month?
What a culture, what a life!
Nick is happy where he is though.
He smiles when he talks about his daughters.
…and he makes a mouth-watering pizza pie.
I think that your observations are exactly what highlight the difference in economy between the United States and Europe. Working hard and working long is something that makes someone (or something) quintessentially American. This is not, however, to say that the American way is superior or inferior in any way.
But it is to say that there’s something uniquely satisfying about making pichas all day and knowing that there’s someone waiting to say “daddy!” waiting at home.
I like the way you summed it up. Props Fred!
An Italian making real pizza! What double treat! Did you ever ask him why round pizzas come in square boxes? Love reading your blogs!!
Thanks Tita!
No I didn’t ask…but now you have given bubblegum for thought :]