I was talking with my soccer buddy Francesco about the common practice of Italians using their arms and hands when talking. He related this story:
Visiting from Italy before attaining his current position at Harvard, he had gone to Arizona to do a guest lecture. After a few minutes, a student in the front row interrupted the talk. She said, "Professor, would you stop moving your arms so much? Your hands are blocking your mouth. I am hard of hearing, and I need to be able to see your lips to understand what you are saying."
Francesco reported, "I was stunned by the request. I had no idea how I could talk!"
Visiting from Italy before attaining his current position at Harvard, he had gone to Arizona to do a guest lecture. After a few minutes, a student in the front row interrupted the talk. She said, "Professor, would you stop moving your arms so much? Your hands are blocking your mouth. I am hard of hearing, and I need to be able to see your lips to understand what you are saying."
Francesco reported, "I was stunned by the request. I had no idea how I could talk!"