It’s not like a lot of ECHs grew up speaking Italian. Or Spain Spanish for that matter. But listen to ECHs after their summers abroad in Europe. Or listen to ECHs after a semester in grad school where the only other Latinos are international students from Latin America. ‘Ciao!’ they’ll say when they are leaving a party. ‘Ciao! they blurt out before kissing you on the check (or both checks). ’Ciao,’ their bubbly voice whisper before hanging up a cell phone during a play’s intermission.
By using ‘ciao’ the ECHs are trying to exhibit their internationalness, their worldliness, their education, their arrogance, their skills, their open minds. Still, ECHs didn’t use ‘ciao’ when they were children; neither did their parents or grandparents. (Hell, most ECHs can barely order a taco in Spanish).
But saying ‘ciao’ is another measure of their evolution. It’s something else they pick up along to way to picking up a couple of degrees and a few new friends who don’t have shaved, bald heads or severe eyeliner. Ciao is the new oy! Until next time…
Ciao!
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