I would have to say that I identify most with the Irish side of my genealogy (it used to be O’Halloran). Aside from my well-documented affinity for Guinness, I have actually put forth an effort to be knowledgeable of Ireland’s history and culture – going as far as to spend a semester in “studying” in Ireland (I use the word “studying” loosely, since that’s when I developed my affinity for Guinness).However, as my grandmother Inez will gladly tell you, I’m not exactly 100 percent Irish. I’m part of the rather common crossbreed of extreme personalities known as the Irish-ITALIAN American.
For a quick rundown, my father’s mother’s family, the Matareses, came from Taranto, which is located inside the heel of the boot-shaped peninsula. Like many, they settled in New York and my great-grandmother took a job as a seamstress at John Wanamaker’s (9th Street between Broadway and Fourth, Manhattan). Ironically, I have recently taken a job in the very same building, and that has stirred up some personal interest in the Italian background.
My great-grandmother passed away only recently and she was a big part of my upbringing. I remember that when I was younger, she and my grandmother would speak Italian all the time. They would always turn to me beforehand to let me know that they were about to talk to each other in Italian, kind of like the way Sollozzo turned to Captain McCluskey in The Godfather (Il Padrino) minutes before Mikey Corleone shot him in the neck. I felt like I was missing out on something important and even wondered if they were saying stuff about me (yeah, I was vain even when I was little).
Well soon I need wonder no more. Thanks to the Hoboken Board of Education’s Continuing Adult Education program, I’m going to be speaking Italian. The five-week course conducted at Hoboken High School (Ninth & Clinton streets, Hoboken) is designed to teach the beginner basic conversation and happens to cost, conveniently for me, $50. Considering the only Italian I know is either the stuff on the menu or some choice phrases I’ve picked up from The Sopranos (most of which are not recommended for use when talking with your grandmother), I’d say I qualify as a beginner.
Each season the Hoboken Board of Education offers a variety of self-improvement and general interest programs. For more information, contact: Joseph A. Pinto, Director of Continuing Adult Education, 115 Clinton St., Hoboken, NJ 07030.
Or better yet, keep an eye on quality local publications, such as this one, for future registration information.
In the meantime, I’ll be sort of like the Tom Hagen of my family – not that we need a consigliere, since I’m a legitimate businessman. And though I don’t expect to trade in my Guinness for a Peroni, at least I’ll know what my grandmother is saying when she calls me a sprechi di spazi. I’m sure it’s some Old World term of affection, right, Grandma???
Scherzando solo, Nezzie.
“Hal” appears every other week. If you know how Hal can effectively waste $50 in the metro area, please write to:
“Hal Wastes His Wages”
c/o The Current
1400 Washington Street
Hoboken, New Jersey 07030
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