Kissing Cousins, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Being Italian

I'm a mongrel -- German, Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch and Italian. Or, to break it down into American regions, half North Dakota and half New Jersey. This weekend was spent with the Italian side of the family in NJ. My very Anglo sister-in-law learned what my North Dakotan mother learned when she married into the clan almost 35 years ago: People gonna hug and kiss you like you's family, cuz you is family now. As with so many things in this life, acceptance is the key here. Before any event -- dinner, party, wedding, funeral -- embrace this idea as warmly as you'll soon be embracing these strangers/relatives: The corner of your mouth will always be a bit wet with saliva, and that saliva will not be yours.