What would you have done?

[il Padrino Ute]

A neighbor just stopped by, knocked on the door and I answered. She offered my family dinner. She's been cooking all day and apparently made a larger quantity than she had originally planned. It's fettuccine alfredo - and she's proud of herself for having made the sauce herself by following a recipe that "a real Italian gave to her husband".

It gets better, folks.

She then stated "I know you'll like it because you went to Italy on a mission so you know what good Italian (pronounced eye-talian) food is. The sauce is at least as good as Olive Garden."

I blankly stared at her for a few seconds than quietly forced myself to say "thank you for this generous offer. I'm sure we'll enjoy it."

That was tough to do, as my initial reaction to the Olive Garden would be to tell her exactly what I think of Olive Garden. I just didn't want to hurt her feelings, so I didn't just blurt out what was on my mind which is what I would usually do.

I'm not used to thinking before talking. It's very uncomfortable. I don't like it. As for the food, I'll eat something else. The dog doesn't even seem interested in it.

[UtahDan]

I'm not used to thinking before talking. It's very uncomfortable. I don't like it.

There is an art to saying what is on your mind, even when it is insulting, without leaving the person with the impression they have been insulted.

[MarkGrace]

I would eat Olive Garden quality for free. It's not that offensive. The real stickler is the price they charge for the quality. Now that is offensive.

[falafel]

If I were you IPU, I would accept the dinner and trick yourself into thinking that you are eating American food instead of really crappy Eye-talian food.

[Fiyero]

There is an art to saying what is on your mind, even when it is insulting, without leaving the person with the impression they have been insulted.

That reminds me of one of my favorite scenes from Cheers:

Bouncer (played by Ogre from Revenge of the Nerds): Why are you calling me Tiny?

Cliff Clavin: Uh, you know, to call you Tiny, a man of your girth, is what we in the comedy profession call a juxtaposition. You see, it's like calling a bald guy Curly, a fat guy Slim, or a tall guy Shorty!

Bouncer: I like that. You're smart.

Cliff Clavin: Why, thank you.

Bouncer: No, I just did one.

[TripletDaddy]

A neighbor just stopped by, knoecked on the door and I answered. She offered my family dinner. She's been cooking all day and apparently made a larger quantity than she had originally planned. It's fettuccine alfredo - and she's proud of herself for having made the sauce herself by following a recipe that "a real Italian gave to her husband".

It gets better, folks.

She then stated "I know you'll like it because you went to Italy on a mission so you know what good Italian (pronounced eye-talian) food is. The sauce is at least as good as Olive Garden."

I blankly stared at her for a few seconds than quietly forced myself to say "thank you for this generous offer. I'm sure we'll enjoy it."

That was tough to do, as my initial reaction to the Olive Garden would be to tell her exactly what I think of Olive Garden. I just didn't want to hurt her feelings, so I didn't just blurt out what was on my mind which is what I would usually do.

I'm not used to thinking before talking. It's very uncomfortable. I don't like it. As for the food, I'll eat something else. The dog doesn't even seem interested in it.

This is karma for all your mischief and sassy gun avatars!

[TripletDaddy]

I would eat Olive Garden quality for free. It's not that offensive. The real stickler is the price they charge for the quality. Now that is offensive.

Dude, you say this but I promise that you don't really mean it.

Almost every time we go to visit the fam in Utah, they take us to Olive Garden or Mimi's Cafe. If we stay an entire week, we will go to both.

Since it is very generous of them to treat us, we never say anything nor complain. We go and enjoy the company and the conversation.

But I just can't eat Olive Garden food. I don't know why, but I think it stems from when I was in undergrad. We would go to Smiths and buy a bunch of those frozen entree things that cost around $1....we would buy like 10 of them at a time. I ate so many of them that when I eat at OG, the taste reminds me of those frozen meals. I just can't do it.

Several years ago, I stopped eating their normal menu items and simply get a salad for dinner. I stopped trying.

[SeattleUte]

A neighbor just stopped by, knoecked on the door and I answered. She offered my family dinner. She's been cooking all day and apparently made a larger quantity than she had originally planned. It's fettuccine alfredo - and she's proud of herself for having made the sauce herself by following a recipe that "a real Italian gave to her husband".

It gets better, folks.

She then stated "I know you'll like it because you went to Italy on a mission so you know what good Italian (pronounced eye-talian) food is. The sauce is at least as good as Olive Garden."

I blankly stared at her for a few seconds than quietly forced myself to say "thank you for this generous offer. I'm sure we'll enjoy it."

That was tough to do, as my initial reaction to the Olive Garden would be to tell her exactly what I think of Olive Garden. I just didn't want to hurt her feelings, so I didn't just blurt out what was on my mind which is what I would usually do.

I'm not used to thinking before talking. It's very uncomfortable. I don't like it. As for the food, I'll eat something else. The dog doesn't even seem interested in it.

What do you expect? You live in Midvale, Utah. (Are there any "real Italians" there?) Sorry, just being honest! (Isn't Alfredo the Italian equivalent of Teriyaki anyway?)

[TripletDaddy]

What do you expect? You live in Midvale, Utah. (Are there any "real Italians" there?) Sorry, just being honest! (Isn't Alfredo the Italian equivalent of Teriyaki anyway?)

:anger:

[pellegrino]

You did the right thing, but that's still worse than going to the theater.

[il Padrino Ute]

What do you expect? You live in Midvale, Utah. (Are there any "real Italians" there?) Sorry, just being honest! (Isn't Alfredo the Italian equivalent of Teriyaki anyway?)

Actually, I live in Murray.

And yes, there is a small Italian community here. If you're ever in Salt Lake, I'll buy you lunch at Caputo's and point them out to you.

There are a surprising numbers of LDS folks that I knew in Italy who now live here. And honestly, Caputo's is where I can go to speak Italian with several folks who are not members of the LDS church. There's a great little men's clothing shop on the corner of State and South Temple - it's called Moda Italia - that is owned by a gentleman from southern Italy who joined the church then moved here in the 80s who hand tailors most of the suits and sports coats.

SLC isn't as provincial as you remember or want to remember it, SU. It has a long way to go still, but it getting there.

[Non Sequitur]

Actually, I live in Murray.

And yes, there is a small Italian community here. If you're ever in Salt Lake, I'll buy you lunch at Caputo's and point them out to you.

There are a surprising numbers of LDS folks that I knew in Italy who now live here. And honestly, Caputo's is where I can go to speak Italian with several folks who are not members of the LDS church. There's a great little men's clothing shop on the corner of State and South Temple - it's called Moda Italia - that is owned by a gentleman from southern Italy who joined the church then moved here in the 80s who hand tailors most of the suits and sports coats.

SLC isn't as provincial as you remember or want to remember it, SU. It has a long way to go still, but it getting there.

Where is Caputo's? I'll have to check it out.

Also, I moved to the Murray area a few months ago. Where, exactly, is the non-provincial part of town?

[il Padrino Ute]

Where is Caputo's? I'll have to check it out.

Also, I moved to the Murray area a few months ago. Where, exactly, is the non-provincial part of town?

Caputo's is on 300 S. between 300 and 400 W., just north of Pioneer Park. Great sandwiches and pastas. It's like walking into a little place in Italy.

http://caputosdeli.com/

The non-provincial part of town is, ironically, closer to the church headquarters. Out this way in the 'burbs it's more like people think it is.

Where in Murray are you?

[SuperGabers]

She then stated "I know you'll like it because you went to Italy on a mission so you know what good Italian (pronounced eye-talian) food is.

Where and when were you in Eye-tally? My bro served in Padova 6-7 years ago...

[marsupial]

Where and when were you in Eye-tally? My bro served in Padova 6-7 years ago...

IPU is older than that.

It was a thoughtful gesture. I would accept graciously and lie to her later about how good it was.