Before we came to Naples we had been told that people here like babies. Since our arrival we have found that people don't like babies or even really like babies. They LOVE babies.
Whenever we take Noelle on the train people stare at her and smile at her and say "che bellissima!" and "oh piccolina!" On the metro I will often look down to see someone touching her foot or holding her hand or tapping her on the nose or rubbing her fuzzy head. Random strangers! My American sensibilities are constantly being tested by the need for Italians to touch her and to do so without reserve.
Many people are enamored by the fact that Noelle is blonde and everyone wants to know how old she is. Honestly my most commonly used phrase is not "Ciao!" or "Buon giorno!" but "Lei ha tre mesi" (she is three months old). More often than not, someone will give up their seat for me on the metro so I can sit with Noelle. Even when the subway is full beyond capacity people go out of their way to make sure she is protected from the jostling of a packed train by parting the crowds and giving me their seat.
When we went to the equivalent to the Italian DMV the other day, the lady working there saw Noelle and helped us fill out our paperwork even though it was almost time for morning closure (they are on the siesta model here). Then she told us to come back at 2:30 when they reopened. She was thrilled that I let her hold Noelle as she was leaving for her break. Then when we came back we were standing in a very long line and she came and pulled us out of line to give us a special number that expedited the process for us significantly. That lady and her affinity for Noelle made all the difference that day.
At church last week I was walking the halls with Noelle and a group of three boys asked me a question in Italian. It was not one of the common baby questions and when it was clear I didn't understand another kid translated for me, "Can he take a selfie with...?" and he gestured to Noelle. There is no way I would refuse a 16 year old Italian boy a selfie with my three month old baby!
Seriously, everyone here loves babies.
Whenever we take Noelle on the train people stare at her and smile at her and say "che bellissima!" and "oh piccolina!" On the metro I will often look down to see someone touching her foot or holding her hand or tapping her on the nose or rubbing her fuzzy head. Random strangers! My American sensibilities are constantly being tested by the need for Italians to touch her and to do so without reserve.
Many people are enamored by the fact that Noelle is blonde and everyone wants to know how old she is. Honestly my most commonly used phrase is not "Ciao!" or "Buon giorno!" but "Lei ha tre mesi" (she is three months old). More often than not, someone will give up their seat for me on the metro so I can sit with Noelle. Even when the subway is full beyond capacity people go out of their way to make sure she is protected from the jostling of a packed train by parting the crowds and giving me their seat.
When we went to the equivalent to the Italian DMV the other day, the lady working there saw Noelle and helped us fill out our paperwork even though it was almost time for morning closure (they are on the siesta model here). Then she told us to come back at 2:30 when they reopened. She was thrilled that I let her hold Noelle as she was leaving for her break. Then when we came back we were standing in a very long line and she came and pulled us out of line to give us a special number that expedited the process for us significantly. That lady and her affinity for Noelle made all the difference that day.
At church last week I was walking the halls with Noelle and a group of three boys asked me a question in Italian. It was not one of the common baby questions and when it was clear I didn't understand another kid translated for me, "Can he take a selfie with...?" and he gestured to Noelle. There is no way I would refuse a 16 year old Italian boy a selfie with my three month old baby!
Seriously, everyone here loves babies.