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The third and final story about Mediterraneans. One of the other moms in the neighborhood who had kids and activities that overlapped with mine was raised by a single mom. She never knew her dad until she reconnected with some cousins around the time we were in our mom-years (40s). I always enjoyed her, but noticed that she was way more animated than a lot of my friends. I didn't think about her heritage, I just chalked it up to having teenagers and a challenging career - working with teenagers.
Then, she went to a gathering with all the relatives that she had never met. She was positively glowing when she got home. The relatives were Mediterraneans. "I found my people!" she exclaimed. They were just like her. She was so comforted to know why she was so animated compared to all the generic midwesterners in our neighborhood.
I've enjoyed your Mediterranean observations. I agree with you that culture and ethnic background contribute to how and who we are. I'm an American who grew up in a British college prep school in the Philippines for 9 years(ages 6-15), and that has certainly shaped who I am and how I interact with others. Perhaps weather has something to do with how gregarious and animated folks are in a social setting. If one is from colder climates they tend to stay inside the family and close friend circle and are maybe more reserved when interacting with one's outside that circle, while folks from warmer climates interact with a lot more folks on the regular, so tend to be more expressive and animated. Maybe just one of many contributing factors. It's an interesting thing to ponder.
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