Key Points:
- Many people who were raised around an Italian Nonna will recognize the following.
- Nonnas are known for their no-nonsense personality and delicious homecooked meals.
- Old-school Italian grandmas love their family to the max.
If you grew up with an old-school Italian grandma, chances are your childhood came with a very specific kind of love. This special affection was expressed through heaping plates of delicious food, strong opinions, unsolicited advice, and unwavering devotion to family. Whether she was sending you home with leftovers or making it very clear what she thought of your recent dinner date, your Nonna likely had a way of being a unique mix of comforting and overbearing.
Of course, no two grandmothers are exactly alike, but many people who were raised around an Italian Nonna will recognize the following patterns, life-philosophies, and traditions that seemed to shape everyday life. From hosting frequent family gatherings to expressing endless concern, Nonnas all around the world continue to instill unforgettable memories that last well beyond childhood.
Eating Is Not Optional
Even if you don’t speak Italian, if you had a Nonna, you likely understand one word; you may hear it echoing in your head like some kind of ghost haunting your every move: “Mangia!” This fun-to-say word means “eat” (for those of you who have not had it shouted at you repeatedly while growing up). Grandchildren of Italian women often feel like they can never eat enough food to satisfy their Nonna.
Nonna Is Always the Last One Seated
Nonna is always taking care of everyone. She is cooking, cleaning, and serving, at all times. Thus, she is typically the last person to sit down at a family meal, if she sits at all. When she finally gets a chance to relax and eat the meal she worked so hard to cook for us, she’s probably only down for a few minutes before she inevitably pops back up to help someone. She never stops working for her family. It’s the greatest labor of love.
Taking Home Leftovers Is Also an Imperative
If Nonna wants you to take food home, you do. You simply don’t say “no” to Nonna when she offers you a to-go container. But no one’s complaining because Nonnas certainly know how to cook!
When Asked If You’re Hungry, the Answer Is Yes
When Nonna asks if you’re hungry, do not be fooled. This is not a question requiring your thoughtful response. This is the ultimate ‘Nonna rhetorical question’; and the answer is always yes. Think of this query as more of an Italian grandma’s way of informing a loved one they are about to be fed (whether they like it or not).
Making Her Throw Away Food Is Probably Not a Fight You Can Win
Many people with Italian grandmas recall a strong resistance to throwing away food. Plenty of Nonnas tend to be careful when grocery shopping, only selecting ingredients that will be consumed readily and joyfully. Wasting food for Italian grandmas is just not an option. And many a Nonna will make it clear what she thinks of you wasting food as well.
You Look Too Skinny
Nonnas want nothing more than to see their grandchildren well-fed and happy. If you’re not currently shoving food down your gullet, you’re likely “too skinny.”
You Feel Guilty When You Don’t Make Things from Scratch
You almost certainly never ate prepackaged food when you went to your Nonna’s home. Buying prepackaged food in adulthood might dredge up deep, soul-rending guilt regarding your failure to get in that kitchen and make a fully homecooked meal from scratch!
Being Accused of Eating Too Much Fast Food
If your Nonna fits the stereotype, for her, nothing can be worse than eating fast food. Even a side of fries is uncalled for. Any leftovers trump eating McDonald’s on your brief lunch break. And let’s be honest, Nonna’s across the world might be on to something; we all feel better when we’re not consuming Wendy’s multiple times a week.
Everything Is About Her Family
Most people think of grandmothers as being extremely family oriented. In many families, the Nonna serves as a central emotional and social anchor across generations. She likely feels her job is to support her family. Everything she does is for her family in one way or another. She lives and breathes familial love and support into everything she does. Her loved ones are everything to her and she would do just about anything to protect them.
She Doesn’t Take BS from Anyone
Italian Nonnas may be kind, generous, and loving, but they are not pushovers. Italian culture is often associated with emotional expressiveness and strong opinions 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, Nonna has enough spine for both of you.
She Loves Wine
Wine is a crucial staple in the Mediterranean diet, but especially in Italy. Italy is often hailed as the destination for drinking wine and many tourists come every year to sample fine Italian wine. 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 to her, a small glass of wine with dinner felt perfectly normal.
Soft-Spoken Is Not a Word to Describe Her
Excessive passion is often associated with a more expressive communication style. 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’ll tell you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear.
She’s Worried About Everyone in the Family
Nonna’s role is a tiring one. She loves her family more than anything, and, thus, she worries about everyone constantly. She’s present in everyone’s lives at all times. She expects to see you whenever you have time so she can make sure everything is okay and you know you’re loved. Sometimes it’s a thankless job, but it’s one she wouldn’t trade for the world.
She’ll Work Hard Until the Day She Dies
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. As long as she can still walk unassisted, her home will be spick and span. She’ll work hard in everything she does and never stop learning and improving. In doing so, she gains more knowledge and wisdom that she can pass down to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She Knows Everything Worth Knowing
Your Nonna almost certainly knows the hottest gossip. She knows everyone’s business. Regardless of whether Nonna shares everything or nothing, you know that every bit of information she gives you is straight from the horse’s mouth. Somehow her intel is always top-notch!
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