When I left for Italy, a lot of people warned me about being an American, that I’d run into some issues most likely involving strong dislike, and that it may be a good idea to say I’m from Canada. I knew from the get-go I wouldn’t try to hide my nationality, and I figured I would just handle the incidents of being an American in Europe as they come along. Nothing has really happened, no one has been offensive or yelled at me for being from a country that has been involved in numerous controversial acts etc. People have said things like, “No, let’s not go to that bar, there are too many Americans.” But I’m okay with that, because I’m not here to feel like I’m in America (except for when I need a big hunk of protein cooked medium rare with cheddar cheese and a side of fries) and hang out with Americans. I’m happy with the handful of Americans I do hang out with, and then the mix of other nationalities helps spice things up.
I found it funny though, when last night as my friend and I were waiting for the metro, a couple came up to us and said, “Hey, could you…oh, you’re American…uhh…” and the guy paused. His tone was along the lines of, “You’re not going to know anything, I’m surprised you even knew how to come down stairs to the B line, Americans, psh.” I didn’t feel he would have done this with any other nationality quite in the same tone. “Oh, you’re Australian.” Hm, probably not, he seemed like the kind of guy who would give other English speakers the benefit of the doubt. But there was no benefit here.
“What’s up?” I replied.
“Nothing, well, maybe you could help us out anyway. Um, how do you get to the A line?”
“Well,” (“Well, well, well,” I thought, “Prepare to get your socks blown off.”) “Ahem, WELL, uh yes, the A line is closed because of work on the Manzoni station. It closes at 9 every night, whereas the B line stays open until 11:30. However, there is a bus line, the MA1 and the MA2 that run the metro stops of the A line until midnight, so you can still get around. They’re right out in front of Termini.” (Ha!)
“Oh wow, yeah, cool, so there’s a bus right out front? And it’s called the MA1 and MA2? They replace the A-line since it shuts down early, that’s it?” Way to go Einstein, that’s what I just said.
“Yes.”
“Great, huh, wow, you were much more helpful than I had anticipated you would be.” Yeah, that’s right, punk. Don’t judge a book by its cover. How much more impressed would you be if I had explained that in Italian, which I could have done? Huh? Or how about French? I could have done it in French, too. Don’t assume, dammit. Just because I’m American doesn’t mean I don’t know what I’m doing. Fact.