In George Mikes's Italy for Beginners, a book I read when I was about 16, the author says, in a chapter on manners,
"Half tones will not even take you half way; understatements are taken at even less than their face value. If you are deeply worried about something, it is no good remarking softly, 'I'm a little peturbed.' If, on the contrary, you run about the room berserk, beat the walls with your fists, froth at the mouth, turn purple and scream for half an hour then people may gather that you are slightly irritated, though not annoyed. Unless, of course, you are simply tired."
I was reminded of this whilst watching last Friday's Bake Off Italia, during which this lady got a little upset when her éclairs didn't turn out the way she wanted. I think I can guess what the estimable Mary Berry would have made of it, but haven't we all felt like this when our cooking has gone wrong? [You only need to watch the first minute or so of the clip - the rest is a repeat of it.]
By the way, I'm rooting for the modest baking builder in tonight's Great British Bake Off, though all the contestants are so good that it's a shame that any of them have to lose!
8 comments:
I know the feeling. I wonder why they kept repeating it over and over again though .... that's quite puzzling!
I think that's the person who uploaded the clip onto Youtube, Jenny, not the TV channel - perhaps for effect.
I'd be a little perturbed with myself if I walked about just mumbling quietly that I was a little perturbed when I was feeling perturbed! If you know what I mean! ;)
I bet she felt so much better after she threw the pastry! lol
Hi, Lee. I know exactly what you mean! Yes, I think she must have felt better!
Hahaha I looked at Benedetta's face in that momnent and recognised a classic 'teacher's'face! Whenever a student has a meltdown, you're torn between trying to empathize and telling them to stop disrupting the lesson! poor Mimma! poor Benedetta!
Totally agree, Laruchka.
Yes, I've certainly felt like that. Out of interest at whom or what was she aiming?
Hi, Liz. At nobody and nothing in particular!
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