[Albion Wilde]

Come to think of it, I can't stand the French either!

One time I was staying in a pensione in Southern Italy, don't ask me where, maybe around the outskirts of Salerno that time; and the owner started chatting with me, despite my limited Italian language skills. As the conversation moved along into what kinds of foods he liked and which would I like, he aske me,

"A te piace i francese?" to which I shrugged non-committedly.

He grinned wickedly and said, "Sono brutti!"

Obviously, I'm still chuckling about it decades later.

[Rocco DiPippo]

Yeah, Italians are very, very proud of their food. I went to a pizza-making party up in the hills here with a group of Sicilian friends. While conversing with one of them, he said, "Sicilian food is the best in the world!," to which I responded, "What countries have you visited?" Silence.

Yes, Italian food is great, but I've traveled around and also enjoyed Greek, Turkish, Lebanese and Iraqi food, all of which was great. Chinese? Great. Mexican? Great! But say that to most Sicilians and they'll look at you like you have three eyes. Lol!

I will say this though: Sicilian pastries, and Sicilian desserts in general, are the best I've ever had in the world. Same for their pizza.