This was one of those times.
A group of friends, and some friends of friends, gathered at a water park recently; there was one Italian woman in this group, who was quite comfortable speaking English with us but certainly not completely fluent and who was new to most of us. The introductions went something like this --
l'Americana: I'd like to introduce you to my friends, most of these people are educators. (She may have said it in Italian, I don't remember.)
l'Italiana: Nice to meet you all.
i Americani: Piacere (Nice to meet you).
And then l'Americana proceeded to introduce us all individually, along with our position in the school, until she reached a friend who is the wife of a teacher and paused for just barely a second.
The pause allowed l'Italiana to draw her own conclusions, and before l'Americana could continue, she blurted out in English: Oh, I know! Desperate Housewife!
Ouch.
It happened at the chairs.
8 comments:
I think that is absolutely hilarious. Maybe inside your the woman is really a desperate housewife. Aren't we all a little desperate at times. I do this all the time when talking German. I can't telly you how many times I have had to back track and say it in a different way to get my point across.
I'm sorry, I'm not sure I get it ... But 1) I'm Italian myself, 2) I don't have TV and I've never watched Desperate Housewifes, 3) I have a guest from the US coming tonight and all of a sudden I'm feeling very desperate housewife-ish in an Italian sort of way: I'll have to spend the entire day cleaning the house to ensure that I don't get reported to the telefono azzurro:)!
I find that the most awkward moments don't happen because of my English, but because of my little knowledge of some (most?) of the cultural subtleties: in the end you can always translate a language, not so a culture!
Hi Francesca,
The problem is that the term "desperate housewife" carries with it many negative connotations. One does not need to have ever watched the show to understand.
I think it safe to say that even the term "housewife," without the "desperate" is no longer politically correct in most circles. I think it's rather insulting to most folks. (If I am mistaken, please, someone correct me.)
I know many, many, many women of my generation who are educated, interesting, and dynamic women who have chosen to stay home and not enter the work force for a variety of reasons. "Housewife" suggests a weak woman without much to offer, a woman who can't do much outside of the house. I would not feel comfortable referring to any of these women as "housewives," ever. . . just as I would not think of calling you a "housewife."
It is a bit cultural, a bit of the language. Some things are difficult to understand even with a proper translation or explanation.
Have a great visit!
Dana
For one, I'm sure your Italian friend just wanted to make a lighthearted joke, and had no idea that it could be misconstrued. And then, I think personally that it's kind of a pity that housewife still has those negative connotations which date back to a time when women had so few choices. It is an important, complex and demanding job/role that deserves as much respect as any other paying job.
Undoubtedly, the Italian woman meant no harm; also, no one was upset whatsoever -- everyone gets it, everyone understands & expects these sort of things to happen.
Maybe you could have told her, or someone, or made a joke - something along those lines.
Every time I read your blog I miss my home more!
My mom leaves tomorrow and I hope to go back and visit sometime early next year.
Cheers,
Anita
Dana grazie per l'illuminante spiegazione. Per noi Italiani il titolo del telefilm (ed il telefim stesso) non aveva dei sottointesi particolari . Ora che lo sappiamo staremo attenti, come al solito si deve usare con cautela cio' che non si conosce bene.
Saluti. Lu.
yes, ouch ... with understanding :)
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