7. Carpet

Turns out, I can talk for 17 minutes straight about Christmas in Great Britain (and Italy). Also, turns out I cannot sing, but I decided to do it publicly on a podcast anyway, because in 2020 why not. Cover art: Ramona Bruno @ramaflowers Intro and outro music: Karakurenai by Andy Akiho, played by Passepartout Duo @passepartoutduo Transcript on britalianpodcast.com

Bonus episode: yes, Great Britain, I love you. You don’t believe me? I’ve told you at least 34 times. Cover art: Ramona Bruno @ramaflowers Intro music: Karakurenai by Andy Akiho, played by Passepartout Duo @passepartoutduo Transcript on britalianpodcast.com

I can’t find a good equivalent into English for some Italian words, and that’s a shame. How will I say ti voglio bene in English? Cover art: Ramona Bruno @ramaflowers Intro and outro music: Karakurenai by Andy Akiho, played by Passepartout Duo @passepartoutduo Transcript on britalianpodcast.com

You know when you wake up having a bad day? This is one of those days. Days when UK does not feel like home. Cover art: Ramona Bruno @ramaflowers Intro and outro music: Karakurenai by Andy Akiho, played by Passepartout Duo @passepartoutduo Transcript on britalianpodcast.com

Hell must be lined with carpet. Heaven will be tiled. Cover art: Ramona Bruno @ramaflowers Intro and outro music: Karakurenai by Andy Akiho, additional music: The Toy Robot’s Mechanical Heart, by Christopher Adler, both played by Passepartout Duo @passepartoutduo Transcript on britalianpodcast.com

Part of the integration process is accepting and adapting to local manners. Will Britons ever accept my loudness and bluntness? Will Italians accept my greetings cards? Cover art: Ramona Bruno @ramaflowers Intro and outro music: Karakurenai by Andy Akiho, played by Passepartout Duo @passepartoutduo Transcript on britalianpodcast.com

When you’re an expat, you have three favourite complaint topics: weather, food and language. If you come from Italy, it’s mainly complaints about food. Except if you are a Britalian. Cover art: Ramona Bruno @ramaflowers Intro and outro music: Karakurenai by Andy Akiho, played by Passepartout Duo @passepartoutduo Transcript on britalianpodcast.com

"Brew? Let me put the kettle on. How do you like your tea?" "Just normal, please". "Normal? What does normal even mean?" Cover art: Ramona Bruno @ramaflowers Intro and outro music: Karakurenai by Andy Akiho, additional music: The Toy Robot’s Mechanical Heart, by Christopher Adler, both played by Passepartout Duo @passepartoutduo Transcript on britalianpodcast.com

“Do I sound British?” “Of course you don’t sound British. But you don’t have to change your accent. Just…own it. Wear it”. Cover art: Ramona Bruno @ramaflowers Intro music: Karakurenai by Andy Akiho, additional music: The Toy Robot’s Mechanical Heart, by Christopher Adler, both played by Passepartout Duo @passepartoutduo Songs by Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus @MLGConline Transcript on britalianpodcast.com

Where’s home for me? Well, I suppose Manchester is home now. But so is my hometown. So, what makes one feel home? Cover art: Ramona Bruno @ramaflowers Intro and outro music: Karakurenai by Andy Akiho, additional music: The Toy Robot’s Mechanical Heart, by Christopher Adler, both played by Passepartout Duo @passepartoutduo Transcript on britalianpodcast.com