Grooming Talk in Trieste

First, let's define. Grooming talk is that part of the conversation that we go through before either getting to the meaty part of the conversation or moving on with our day.

In English it is a game of tennis.

My serve: How are you?
Your return: Fine thanks, and you?
Ball in my court: Fine, thanks...

before moving on to more grooming talk about the (generally negative) weather conditions (no matter what time of year) or other banalities. Then the dance is over and it is decision time about whether or not to continue this thrilling conversation.

Easy peasy. Just remember, everything is always fine, even if it's the worst day of your life. Second important point, we do not ask about people because we actually want to know (that is what Facebook is for) and we do not tell people how we really are because we assume they do not care.

This game is flip-flopped for the Triestini. Let's say you just won the lottery.

My serve: Come xe?
You return shaking your head from side to side, looking down, then looking up to the sky for a moment, and then saying: Let's just say everything is okay.

or possibly a gentle shrug of the shoulders, a quick look up to the sky and a "Mah."

or possibly "How others want things" or "It's there, but gives me nothing (as in, say, life)".

And this is on the best day of your life!
Seriously.

Here is the other thing about people from Trieste. You can ask them anything in the world and their answer will be

"No. Not Possible." It comes out so fast there is no time for reflection. It is just a reaction.

But here is the secret. That's all it is. Give them time to think about it. A minute, a day, a week.

Then ask again. You will get your way, I promise, but never the first time you ask.

University of Trieste or the Cracker Barrel?

.