Writing Assignment 2

Thus far the attempts to make contact with Romans has been somewhat difficult—not because of any lack of approachability but rather (again) the language barrier.  I have personally approached two shopkeepers who I gauged should speak enough English to discuss a complex concept like race riots and both times had very limited success.

Here’s the whole story: after a weekend out and about waiting for an opportunity to present itself in the form of a single person eating at a café or loitering under the statue of Bruno, a cosmopolitan waiter in a little-patronized restaurant, or even one of the many vendors in the street who’s already done the work of breaking the ice and approached me.  Despite a full weekend out in the city none of these scenarios precipitated any interactions.  The greatest stress I felt from the whole assignment was Sunday afternoon as I tried to visualize some place in the Campo besides Sloppy Sam’s where I would likely find a person who both spoke English and had the time to answer my random questions.  Ironically, my concern over not completing this very American assignment was greater than my concern over the actions demanded by the assignment.

Sunday night I went wandering between the Pantheon and St Peter’s with Teo and Nick, at which point Teo pointed out a book store that apparently included some English titles and was fairly empty of customers.  Knowing that was a strong option I immediately relaxed and not until right before approaching the shopkeeper did I get at all stressed over the actual interaction.  In fact as I contemplated ways to explain myself in Italian I was excited if anything.

At the end of the walk I worked my way back to that store and stood behind the last customer in line to get to the cashier.  I admit a few nerves kicked in as I waited—it was a young woman behind the counter who looked fiercely Italian and not entirely warm or amicable.  Regardless I let fly my preplanned statements (“Buona sera, sono studentessa e…parlai inglese?”) when I got to the register and she knew enough English to suffice.  However she gave me about two statements before promptly adding “and we’re closing now, anyway.”  That’s a pretty heavy hint, so I left quickly with my tail between my legs.

I didn’t even get to ask her about the possible mafia connection!

As for the statements themselves, they were very strong and pointed.  The exact interaction goes

 

Me: What do you think about the immigration problems in the south? (She didn't understand 'riot')

Her: Immigration problem? Not south—everywhere. 

Me: Yes, I’ve seen—

Her: And is real problem, big.  They should all be picked up and taken out.

Me: Mhmm.  What about—

Her: That’s it.  And we’re closing now, anyway.

 

So, obviously the conversation wasn’t all that scintillating, and in a few statements I’m not sure exactly what she meant but the overall tone was very clear: she’s towards the side of Benedetta in Elevator.  Whether by “all” she meant all the African rioters or all immigrants in general, she is not shy about supporting Italy for Italians.  More interestingly, she didn’t even identify or sympathize with what was going on in the South but rather emphasized that the rest of the country has it just as hard.  It doesn’t translate through dead text but she nearly spat the word “south.”  Perhaps her pride is even more focused (Rome for Romans?).

The interesting thing is that I watched the interaction when Teo asked a woman speaking English up on Mussolini’s Wedding Cake and we got pretty much the same answer in more eloquent language.  This woman was maybe in her fifties, motherly, from England and confident in her words.  She was very level and mild in her tone when she explained the problem was everywhere (in such a way that she clearly meant it was a problem in England).  Then Teo prompted that a humanist view argues we should help these people and she stiffened a notable bit.  She firmly stated that “these immigrants” drag the standard of living down everywhere they settle and that instead of fleeing here and dropping their problems on “us” they should stay home and fix things themselves.  I couldn’t believe how easily she fell into the “us” and “them” trap.

Anyway, I’m pretty sure that’s close, if anything a diluted form of, what my Italian shopkeeper wanted to say.

 

(Just a note: on my way back to the Campo I stopped in at a souvenir shop assuming the shopkeeper would need English as part of the job description but he only knew enough to answer “not much” the way I would answer “unpo” when I asked my same opening questions.  I said “never mind, too complicated,” bought a postcard and left.  Hence my tally is technically two.  I mention Teo’s interview because it’s useful but I take no credit for it.)