and...when you say, "pasta", you better fudge the "p" to sound somewhat like a "b". Practice it by saying "bahst-a".
But if you practice it in an Italian restaurant, they won't bring you any more!
Mark
(Something I learned from a college roommate: Basta means enough, although it depends on how it's said. Say it loud and sharply, and it means "Enough Already, Dammit!")