The Unique Joys of Being Raised by an Italian Nonna

Most of us have had at least one grandparent who touched our lives in ways we can never describe. That beloved matriarch – or patriarch – who was there no matter what, to help with the cooking, homework, playdates, or perhaps a fashionista who helped dole out advice, and was beloved for how influential she was in everyone's life. Whether you had a Nana, Grand-mère, Abuelita, Savta, or many others, she was likely a cherished woman beloved for her life experiences and her knowledge. Of course, if you are Italian, you know what it means to experience the unique joys of being raised by an Italian Nonna.

Every culture may have its own traditions and beliefs, but one thing many have in common is the revered status of the grandmother. In the Italian culture in particular, this matriarch is exalted to a legendary status like no other. The Italian Nonna is a woman everyone listens to when she speaks. Nonna always knows best, even when she may not. She typically had an opinion on everything and wasn't afraid or shy to let you know exactly how she felt.

To find the unique joys of being raised by an Italian nonna, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the experiences of people who grew up with an Italian Nonna and cross-referenced it with what was a cultural aspect. We've given you several of what were consistent with many Nonnas. (To learn more about Italian culture, check out the 25 best old-school Italian restaurants in America.)

One word that almost everyone knows, even those who aren't Italian, is the Italian word for eat – "Mangia". No matter how much you have eaten, or how much you want to eat, Nonna will always encourage you to eat more, and when you think you've satisfied her command, she'll insist you didn't eat enough. When you know you'll be seeing your Nonna, it's probably best to go on an empty stomach.

Nonna is always taking care of everyone, from cooking and cleaning to serving, which makes her typically the last person to sit down at a family meal (if she sits at all). When she finally gets a chance to sit, or when you ask her to finally sit, it's probably only going to be for a few minutes before she inevitably has to get up and help someone. It's a labor of love and you will accept it even if it makes you feel like the world's worst grandchild.

As a general rule, you don't say "no" to Nonna, especially if, or rather when, she tells you to take food home. She will most likely pack you a lot, in containers of all sizes that you will have to bring back for next time, and just when you think she's packed enough, a little more may make it into the bag. Nonna will always make sure you have enough to eat.

Some Nonnas don't appreciate modern technology as much as everyone else. Of course, this may be a generational thing, but many Italian grandmothers will blame all of your problems on a smartphone. Headache? Get off your cell phone. Stomachache? Get off your cell phone. Eyes hurt? Cell phone. Neck hurts? Cell phone. No friends? Cell phone. If it could be tied to your cell phone, it was.

The first time Nonna asks you if you're hungry as a child, you foolishly believe this is a question. It is not a question. The answer is "yes". The answer is always "yes". Whether you want to eat or not, Nonna is about to feed you and you don't have a say in the matter.

An Italian grandmother doesn't typically have the same snacks that American children have grown accustomed to. Potato chips, cheese curls, twinkies, gummy bears, and granola bars are many of the snacks that kids in the U.S. tend to gravitate to but these are items that Nonna will never offer you.

If you're hungry and ask for a snack, she will most likely prepare you real, fresh food, like a frittata or pasta with homemade sauce. Many meals are simple but delicious, and in the end, much better than a quick, often sugary, and processed snack.

Throwing away food is not something many people willingly do, but the aversion to food waste is strong with an Italian grandmother. Their mindset is often to purchase just what is necessary so there isn't a need to waste an excess of food, but should there be leftovers, be prepared to keep eating it until they are gone. Or sent home with you in a plastic container.

There is nothing a Nonna likes more than to see her family eat, and if you are on the thinner side, this will only cause her to feed you more. Nonnas love to spend their time in the kitchen, which is often thought to be the heart of the home, preparing everything from scratch, from gnocchi, and minestrone to melanzane alla parmigiana and lasagna. Her way of showing her love for you is also done through the many delicious dishes she'll prepare for you. You may not ever know if she really thinks you're too thin, but you'll know she loves you.

Prepackaged food is not something you will find in your Nonna's kitchen. Using fresh ingredients, she always makes everything for when it is needed – like that frittata – and should you be hungry, you will never be able to pop something in the microwave when visiting. Should she see you take a frozen meal out, she'll most likely offer to cook you something, which will make you feel guilty for several reasons – making your grandmother cook when you didn't feel like it, and not having fresh ingredients at the ready.

To Nonna, nothing can be worse than eating fast food. Any amount is too much. You should bring leftovers for lunch instead of eating at McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, or just about every other fast-food establishment. On this point, Nonna is 100 percent correct. Why eat processed food when you have a refrigerator full of Nonna's homemade leftovers?

Nonna is the matriarch. As much as her family's job is to revere her, it is also her job to support her family and everything she does is for them in one way or another. She lives and breathes familial love and support into everything she does, and her family is everything to her. While most people think of grandmothers as being pretty family-oriented, Italian nonnas are often at the center of their respective families in a way that many modern grandmothers are not.

Italian nonnas may be kind, generous, and loving, but they are not pushovers. Italians as a whole do have a stereotype of being passionate and sanguini ("bloody") and your Nonna is not an exception. She's not going to let anyone walk all over her or anyone she loves. If you're struggling with growing a spine as you get older and gain independence, Nonna has enough spine for both of you.

Wine is a crucial staple in the Mediterranean diet, but especially in Italy, a nation that is often hailed as the destination for drinking wine and many tourists come every year to sample fine Italian wine from regions like Barolo, Piedmont, Abruzzo, Puglia, and more. While many people consider wine a treat on special occasions, the Mediterranean diet considers a single glass of wine with dinner as a given.

Nonna would never encourage you to drink to excess, but a glass of wine with dinner is healthy in her opinion.

Nonnas love you but sometimes that love needs to be tough and rarely will a matriarch of such standing hold her tongue to spare someone's feelings. Her words are backed by the wisdom of lived experience and she knows when her words matter most. She won't demand that you listen to her advice, but she'll tell you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear.

Nonna's role is a tiring one. She loves her family more than anything, which can cause her to constantly worry about everyone. If you see her, she'll want to know everything going on in your life, and she expects to see you whenever you have time so she can make sure everything is okay. Sometimes it's a thankless job, but it's one she wouldn't trade for the world.

Nonna doesn't just work hard for her family; she works hard in general. She may be many things, but lazy isn't one of them. Nonna has the mindset of keeping herself as busy as possible, which can contribute to her longevity. As long as she can still walk unassisted, her home will be spick and span, and her meals prepared fresh daily.

Grandmothers aren't typically shy when it comes to voicing their opinions, but a Nonna might be more vocal. It's not that they are trying to be rude, but they ultimately have one thing they are concerned about – your happiness. If they feel something – or someone – isn't right for you, they'll have no problem letting you know that it's probably time to move on.

When Nonna cooks for the family, you should always assume the number of expected servings will be roughly the number of guests times four. So, if four people are coming, expect there to be around 16 people's worth of food. It won't go to waste, though, since Nonna will send everyone home with leftovers. Eating at Nonna's house is typically followed by several days of re-heating Nonna's delicious home cooking.

Most young people get hounded about seeing their parents and grandparents more often than they maybe want to or have time for. However, Nonna wants to see you as much as she can, perhaps all the time. To younger adults, it might seem a little overbearing, but as you get older, you'll wish you had more time with her just like she wishes she had more time with you.

Nonna is the official neighborhood watch. She knows everyone's business and what is or isn't going on in town. Some Nonnas don't know how to not share your business, while others retain a sense of confidentiality. Regardless of whether Nonna shares everything or nothing, you know that every bit of advice she gives you is backed by either her experiences or someone else's that she knows firsthand from the horse's mouth.

To learn about another culture, check out these popular Irish slang terms.