I have previously mentioned the terrifically abysmal driving in Naples. To an extent, that chaos has continued into Rome, but certainly not to the degree of Naples. It was actually in Rome that I witnessed my first Italian car accident. Both drivers quickly got out of their cars and lots of yelling, pointing, and hand gestures ensued. I suppose it was something that non-Italians might stereotype Italians to do in this situation, but here it was happening before my eyes.
It was because of this experience that made what happened a few days later all the sweeter. I was on my way somewhere, probably to go look at some ridiculously old thing, just meandering along and enjoying the day. In front of me was a mother holding the hand of her young son, maybe around three or four years old. Suddenly, a car comes around a bend and starts, albeit slowly, to enter the walkway where the mother and son are crossing. It definitely was not a dangerous situation, (not like the one where I accidentally walked out in front of a car near the Circus Maximus. Car driver, wherever you are, you were right! I deserved to be honked at!), but definitely an irritation. Then, instead of the mom going off as you might expect, the little boy starts yelling at the driver of the car. I don't think I have ever wished to know Italian more in my life than at this exact moment. He's hollering at the car and making tiny Italian toddler hand gestures, and then, magnificently, the driver of the car rolls down her window, and starts mock yelling at the little boy! All the while, the mother is smiling delightedly and even encouraging the boy to go on at certain points, as if this is some rite of passage or important skill he has to know to survive in Italy. For about thirty seconds they yelled at each other, the boy earnestly and the driver humorously, and then the mother gently led the boy away, and everyone continued with their day as if this wasn't the most magical damn thing that has ever happened.
It was because of this experience that made what happened a few days later all the sweeter. I was on my way somewhere, probably to go look at some ridiculously old thing, just meandering along and enjoying the day. In front of me was a mother holding the hand of her young son, maybe around three or four years old. Suddenly, a car comes around a bend and starts, albeit slowly, to enter the walkway where the mother and son are crossing. It definitely was not a dangerous situation, (not like the one where I accidentally walked out in front of a car near the Circus Maximus. Car driver, wherever you are, you were right! I deserved to be honked at!), but definitely an irritation. Then, instead of the mom going off as you might expect, the little boy starts yelling at the driver of the car. I don't think I have ever wished to know Italian more in my life than at this exact moment. He's hollering at the car and making tiny Italian toddler hand gestures, and then, magnificently, the driver of the car rolls down her window, and starts mock yelling at the little boy! All the while, the mother is smiling delightedly and even encouraging the boy to go on at certain points, as if this is some rite of passage or important skill he has to know to survive in Italy. For about thirty seconds they yelled at each other, the boy earnestly and the driver humorously, and then the mother gently led the boy away, and everyone continued with their day as if this wasn't the most magical damn thing that has ever happened.
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