Thursday, July 28, 2011

"Are you married?"

The following conversation took place this morning at my local supermeracto. Translated as best I can from Italian:

Cold cuts counter man after he gave me my salami di Napoli order: "Are you married?"

Me: "No."

CCM: "No?! How is that possible?"

Me: "We talked about this last year."

CCM: "Well, I thought maybe things had changed. We should go out."

Me: "I have a boyfriend." (I don't)

CCM: Looks confused as if my reply is completely irrelevant to our conversation. After a beat he says, "Oh, okay, well then you let me know when you want to go out. Understand?"

Me: "Uhmmm" (He spoke so quickly. I wasn't sure what he said.)

CCM: "Yes, you say, 'Francesco (not his name) let's go out.' Okay? Understand?"

Me: "Oooh Okay, have a nice day."

CCM: "You too, beautiful."


Trust me, this NEVER happened to me at Gelsons, or Bristol Farms supermarkets in L.A. Last year Francesco gave his number, after I told him I had a boyfriend. He said we could still practice Italian. Bwahahah

I thought it would be awkward to go back to my favorite supermarket when I didn't call him. But, he was perfectly professional.

I was caught off guard this morning. A year later and Francesco is still trying to get his mack on? Living here cracks me up.

13 comments:

anna l'ameriana said...

He he he..,It's his way. I know this guy...several versions of this guy in Italy, in fact. He will continue to do this. If you say "yes" you will ruin it for him. You just go on feeling flattered and continue turning him down and he will keep asking and the two of you will live happily ever after as customer and grocer with no awkwardness. He gets to feel like a stud all day flirting with the shoppers - mostly married women, his wife has him home every night and no one has to put out, ever. Not you, not him, not his wife....

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

anna - I think he's single.

Trust me, I won't "ruin" it for him. ha

erin said...

hahah!! This is hilarious :)

...so sad I never made it to Rome the entire month I was there! I'll be back in Sept - Oct so maybe then! xo

Paola said...

This would be the typical character for a good script, don't you think?
It's a bit of a stereotype but in the end you can build a lot of stories around it
Don't you LOVE Italy!

Cathi said...

That is funny and flattering! It makes going to the market interesting! :)

Sherry said...

Some cold cuts and flirting... What a lovely time at the grocery store!

I give him props for being so determined and undeterred by your soft rejections. A year later - I think it's safe to say he's in it to win it, no matter how long it takes!

Anonymous said...

I'm jealous. I haven't been the recipient of a good flirt in years. I'm booking my flight tonight. LOL

Amanda said...

This doesn't happen @ German grocery stores. You are lucky if you are even given a small smile most of the time! Yet another reason to move to Italy! :)

Odessa said...

haha, too funny! at least he's persistent. :)

also, maybe i'm in the wrong country. i should move there soon. the only close to flirtation i get around here are from weirdos or 16 yr olds who thinks i'm still in high school. eep!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

erin - I figured you were super busy. Hopefully, we'll see each other in the fall. Maybe I could up to Umbria.

paola - yes I do, even with all her issues. True, it is a little stereotypical. Although, women who have lived here longer said things have calmed down. 10-20 years ago, the "flirting" was out of control.

cathi - It does!

sherry - "In it to win it" Bwhahahah.

Anon - My first vacation here I was so taken aback, I assume the men were talking to someone else.

Amanda - In L.A. I was completely invisible. I'm still getting used to the whole "ciao bella" thing in Italy.

odessa - I seem to attract the geriatric set mostly. I'm not sure why.

Viajera said...

Man, I think he's really classy that he's not harassing you and making things uncomfortable. Seems like an okay dude.

What will you name your kids? Hahahahahahahaha! Sorry, couldn't resist. :D

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

viajera - ha. Too funny.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Julie - sorry I'm just responding now. You can send me an message through my Flickr page.