30 July 2007

Il benzinaio

Il benzinaio (aka petrol pump attendant) is a real mystery man. He has one large apartment in our building where he lives, and another in the building in front of ours. He also has two cars, one of which is particularly flash whilst the other less snazzy one is used for going to work. His wife doesn't work and they're going on holiday for three weeks in August. Work that one out.

It makes me ponder ponder. A lottery win perhaps? Or is he another one of those whose in-comings and out-goings just don't figure :S Or am I in the wrong line of work?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

the point is: is this "bensinaio" a simple "attendant" or he owns the pump...that really makes the difference!!!
Don't know why, butI guess I am in the same work line you are in ;-)
Manuela

Delina said...

As far as I know he doesn't own the pump. An interesting line of thought though.

Roam2Rome said...

How about... An inheritance maybe??

I can just picture several Italians flat out asking him how he does it! Many people there are funny that way and wouldn't be shy about asking him head on :) hehe...

Delina said...

Inheritance is probably something to do with it. It must have been a substantial inheritance. Maybe he doesn't have siblings either so he got the whole lot.

Giulia said...

Here's my guess... one apartment was inherited from his parents... his wife inherited the other partment from her parents... and both sets of parents split the cost to send their kiddies on the vacation for the three weeks!
lol

Anonymous said...

My guess is also that he inherited the apartments-or his wife inherited them. That seems to be a common way for Italians to own apartments.

Anonymous said...

Manuela, siamo in 3!!! :D
Giulia and J.Doe... you right. I guess that the apartment arrive from their parents. Its very common here in Italy (and often, very useful ;))))

Anonymous said...

Yeah I am a big fan of inheritance apartments (our is from my husbands parents) I think we'd be homeless if it wasn't for that, as it is impossible to rent a large 2 bedroom in Rome without selling your first born :)

Nadine said...

Could be "old money."

Anonymous said...

I was going to ask if he was married but I see he is...

Ha!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

I was going to say an inheritance. Most of my Italian friends in Rome live in the former apts. of a great aunt, grandparent. etc.

Anonymous said...

beati loro (is that right?) Unfortunately, we're those poor suckers who pay outraegeous Rome rents and haven't inherited so much as a bicylce from the relos. :(

I feel like my parents missed the memo about living frugally so you can leave apartments to your offspring.

Kataroma