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When I was in Italy, in the Navy 40 years ago plus, I was often asked if I was a "paisan" (which could mean peasant, but in the vernacular meant native) and not having an known Italian in my background, I usually denied it. I had a very olive complexion and working in the sun a lot enhanced the appearance.

One evening a friend who was quite obviously a paisan and I were sitting in a trattoria in Naples and this older lady, the epitome of strega, kept insisting that I was the spit and image of her cousin in Sicily, born in the shadow of Etna on a full moon, etc, etc.

Knowing a little about the geography of the area, I finally got rid of her by telling her that I was "no Siciliano, but a Calabrian" and she stormed out.