You're English

There's nothing wrong with being an English person staying in an Italian family. And it's not like the family isn't nice - they are, extremely. The only problem is, Giorgio makes it very evident how different English people are to Italians, and he states so.

To me, these differences aren't bad things and Giorgio doesn't exactly say that they're negative things, but he doesn't say that they're not, and he certainly doesn't say that they're a positive thing.

One in particular, is that English people speak quietly.

I mean, as far as I know, English people in general are not quietly spoken. At least that's what I think as an English person. But comparable to an Italian, yes, we are quieter, simply because Italians practically shout every word. (Even in close proximity I've noticed they still use outside voices). They're just generally louder I guess.

I don't personally think I'm softly spoken. I mean, I might be, maybe, I don't really know. I know I'm never the loudest person in the room, and sometimes I do speak quietly. But I don't whisper for christ sake.

Now, the problem isn't the fact that I'm softer spoken that the Casanova's. It's the fact that Giorgio broadcasts the fact 'English people speak quiet' so regularly and it's got into Clari's head.

You see, the other day Clari and I were making some paper windmills and paper hats and colouring them in etc. We were in a room on our own, with no background noise - no fairytale tape playing, no Giorgio and Dominga talking - and I asked her to do something.

She just ignored me, and then pretended she didn't hear because 'I spoke too quietly'.

Bullshite.

It really winds me up because I don't speak quietly to her, as she hears perfectly when she wants to. And she can even be looking at me full in the face when I'm speaking and just point blank ignore me, despite blatently hearing what I said - and even if she didn't - watching my lips move and knowing I'm talking to her.

Only she doesn't tell me she didn't hear, or ask me to repeat what I said, it's easier to just ignore me.

And it's all just thanks to Giorgio and his adamancy to state our differences.