[StoneNYC]

Yes, Stone, there is a DECIDED difference between the mindsets of Sicilians and Sardinians. A truly decided difference!!!

The Sardinian language is VERY different from Italian, so different that Sardinians are taught the Tuscany (purest) dialect of Italian in school and, thus, speak perfect Italian, without regional accent. My grandmother who came through Ellis Island at age nine, in 1919, spoke English without any accent, spoke (Tuscany) Italian perfectly, and, of course, spoke Sardinian (to my grandfather, born 1894!, who did not bother to learn English very well).

I saw all this go into motion perfectly, and in sync, when she took me (and my grandfather) to Italy for my high school graduation in 1968 in order to visit relatives in both Sardinia and Rome. Getting through Rome's Fiumicino Airport customs with about SIX CARTONS of Marlboros was achieved through vociferous arguing with the customs guard and ending up with him getting a few quick pack of cigarettes and letting us though, unimpeded, and without due remorse. - David Lyga

haha great story, those Airport agents are a funny bunch, post 9-11, I was allowed to bring my swiss army knife on board, but was forced to dump my newly bought starbucks coffee... go figure... glad to be kept safe from burnt coffee spilling on my lap...