Few years ago the local unemployment office had a service called Navigaattori. They would provide extra support for job seekers. The person in charge was supportive at the beginning giving good insights on the job market. Till she started to ask personal questions and one of her tips was: “You are lucky, you could pass for a Finn like us. Take your husband surname and learn the language without saying you are Italian”. I have never felt more Italian. Since then I incorporate little Italian known words like ‘ciao’ and ‘grazie’ in my conversations to make sure my interlocutor knows my country of origin. Before that I felt European.