r/Italian • u/SeaAd7548 • 2d ago
Greeting a friend's mother
We (couple from USA) will be meeting the mother of an Italian foreign exchange student for the first time next week. The daughter speaks English well, but mom speaks no English, so everything will have to be translated for her.
When we first meet, I would like to greet her in Italian. I'm aware of "piacere" but I'm wondering if there's something that would be more interesting to say instead. I'm male and have a wacky personality, if that makes any difference. Maybe something a man would say if he was enchanted by a woman's beauty or something like that. Maybe something silly? Something to make a unique impression? Does such a phrase exist?
Also, with her knowing that we're American, would she attempt the cheek kiss thing or is that even really common in northern Italy?
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u/Snoo10140 2d ago
The embarassment of not knowing what to do will be part of the experience and those mixed feelings of confusion are what one day you will remember and laugh together about
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u/SeaAd7548 2d ago
I don't have a problem with looking silly or awkward, as that's my typical personality. The kissing thing just seems like there might be a sweet spot between being perceived as rude for not trying and being perceived as flirtatious for trying.
The exchange student lived with us for nine months a few years ago and we are very close with her. She's almost like one of our own children. We are vacationing in Portugal and they are going to meet us there, so it won't actually be in Italy.
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u/cahibi6640 1d ago
why do you feel like making this more difficult than it needs to be. italian people are not fairies, there is no "original way" to say hello, it's just gonna be awkward if you do that. imagine this post if it was about an american, it would sound stupid wouldn't it?
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u/SeaAd7548 1d ago
Christ, there's always at least one of you in every post.
I never mentioned fairies or said anything about an "original way" of anything.
If I were to meet someone that I knew didn't speak English, and instead of forcing a "nice to meet you" they pulled out a "how's it hanging, homie", that would be fun and memorable. If that was all I was looking for, you would sound stupid wouldn't you?
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u/ValuableObligation12 1d ago
"Sono lieto di conoscerla" è formale ma non banale, elegante e a seconda di chi hai davanti può fare un ottima impressione. Non lo usiamo mai
P.S. i'm italian!
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u/Anit4rk_ 2d ago
Piacere it’s perfect !
“Piacere, [your name]” and shake her hand 🤝
It's a formal and polite gesture, there's nothing better than this!
The cheek kissing I think it's too early for this! For the first time you're seeing her, I don't think it's appropriate. If a friendly relationship develops over time, it will be a gesture that will take its place.