This week we have a guest blogger: my mother, Julia.
As Ciccio's mama-in-law (as he calls me), I get the pleasure of spending Tuesdays shopping with Ciccio. I need a good night's sleep in order to survive my day with my Italian energizer bunny. But, I do not talk to him until after he has had 2 cups of coffee and has read his email. He only grunts and stares until the caffeine kicks in. But, when Ciccio's day begins, the world better look out.
He begins his day-off duties like a shot out of a cannon. Calling repair people, ordering things, checking on the status of his payments and bills. These seem like mundane tasks, but Ciccio doesn't do anything halfway, slow or in a boring manner. if you are on the receiving end of his calls, you better be prepared. If, God forbid, you put him through a run-around, he will immediately take it to higher authorities.
"How can people run a business like that?!" is a frequent comment on the way many businesses handle customer queries.
Does it bother him that he has to repeat his name and address because some people can't understand his Italian accent? I asked him and he said he thinks it is funny, and he can pretend ignorance if he doesn't like what they say. Usually, the accent and the charm win whatever he was trying to accomplish.
Going to Lowe's and Target are two typical Tuesday activities and it is so much more fun with Ciccio. He now knows many of the clerks and they look a little sheepish when he asks them very precise questions. Ciccio struts through the aisles like he is the owner, picking up things, reading the labels and making commentary on them as we go. Occasionally I have to walk away out of embarrassment when he tries to haggle to get a better price.
When the kids were little I had to bribe them to go shopping with me. Now, I just have to make sure Ciccio gets his coffee and is home in time for Italian boys' night and he will go to any store with me. I never imagined my son-in-law would become one of my favorite shopping partners, but having a Ciccio in my life has made Tuesdays my favorite day of the week.
-Mama Julia
