For Your Entertainment

This week I (Allie) went to lunch in the Air Force mess hall with one of my students. After hearing me complain about how I eat pizza for lunch everyday (which I actually wasn't complaining about), he invited to show me the ropes of the chaotic, and could-be confusing, mess hall.

As we waited in line we discussed some of the differences between American and Italian cooking and eating habits. Such as the tendency of Italians to eat their meals in small courses, with vegetables last, and how Americans love to pile as much of each as will fit onto one plate.

As we approached the counter, he helped me order my food, and then we slid our trays along to pick our choice of vegetable. I decided on the small salad, eventhough I am not a fan of the oil and vinegar dressing. As we slid along farther I saw a shaker with parmesan cheese and I topped my pasta with a good helping of it. Naturally, I shifted the parmesan shaker over to my salad and began to shake a few drops of cheese onto the lettuce when I hear my student yell, "Noooooo!!!" It was literally like a slow-motion scene in a movie where someone jumps in front of a bullet for their friend. His outburst startled me, and I looked up to see a horrified face looking at my salad. "What?" I said, thoroughly confused.

He started laughing and explained to me that they do not use this cheese for salads, but that it was a very natural action for me to put it on my lettuce. I explained to him that, yeah it was natural, because I wanted to add a little salty flavor to a bland bowl of lettuce. He simply shook his head.

Although this may sound somewhat of an extreme reaction, you can rest assured that if you "Americanize" an Italian dish (even lettuce) they are screaming on the inside if not on the outside. They like their food as it was originally prepared, and without any changes, even if it means it will make their food tastier.