Indulge my observations.
I am a solid 50% Sicilian. Almost first generation. My Aunt Mary was born in Catania but they were in the US by the time my dad was born. Italy was my first overseas travel and I traveled to many different areas on subsequent trips...Sicily, Rome, Milan, Florence, Venezia, Assisi, Cinque Terre and more.

Paris was next on my bucket list and I fell in love. I've been to France a dozen times, always with some days in Paris.

So, tonight I'm in Rome (will move on to Milan to attend Turandot at La Scala...a dream come true). Then, on to Paris for a couple weeks.

So, I land in Rome and the first thing I noticed was a certain 'wildness' in the women...long curly hair, tossed, a certain way, sensuousness that I don't associate with Parissienne women (yes, this is filled with generalizations; I'm aware). Louder laughter. More color. No waiting to ask if you need help, just stepping up. A playfulness in most interactions. I get this.

But, I was taught in my Italian home that everybody has an angle (very Sicilian, I think).

At dinner tonight, my waiter was inexperienced, full of charm and handsome (d'accord!) My dish came out, a pasta with white truffles except they weren't white truffles. In Paris, I may or may not have felt comfortable pointing this out but, here, with my ancestors, there was no doubt that I would. The owner or head waiter tried to convince me that I was wrong. All my radar went off and I kept speaking up, politely, but firmly. Again, not sure I would have done this with a French waiter. Lol My not white truffles were replaced with a delicious branzino with a thin potato crust, asparagus and a pistachio cream. And, the tiramasu...not soggy cakes but crisp and the best ever! I also knew I wasn't in Paris when a Knob Creek Manhattan, a glass of white, Branzino and dessert was $55!

So, I return to my happy place, Paris, next Thursday. In my immigrant family of Sicilian peasants, a theme was 'everybody thinks they're better than us.' ( Have to know that I've been a psychotherapist for 40+ years...a cigar is never just a cigar. Lol) but, maybe an ancient part of me likes being with people who assume they ARE better than everyone else!

Again, please don't rag on me. Much is said with a wink.
I will never be mistaken for an Italian by looks ( mom was English so I got most of my looks from that 47% but I'll save those observations for an UK travel group!). And God knows I'll never be mistaken for a Parissienne woman, overweight, only know how to wear a scarf one way, preference for jeans and sweatshirts, smile too much... tho I do up my game when I travel.