5 more Maltese habits that confuse foreigners even further
24 May 2015, published by LITTLEROCK.com.mt
World Cup Carcade in Malta - Image source: Times of Malta (click image)
After long centuries of foreign occupations, the Maltese have evolved certain personality traits that give us a sense of identity. Many of these make many of us proud. We've had a look at five things about Maltese behaviour that completely baffles foreigners. Now here are five other habits that confuse even more!
We fervently support foreign teams during the World Cup
During one World Cup, I would be in Balluta Bay every evening to meet up with some Canadian relatives and their friends who were visiting. Each night, without fail, a carcade would honk its way along the Sliema Front, flags from different countries hanging out of the car windows, depending on which teams had been playing; the people in those cars were crying tears of joy for the victory of another country's national football team. "Why are they celebrating?" we were asked, "Malta didn't win."
I guess I had never given it any proper thought until that moment. For most countries, the World Cup is less about football and more about national pride. Italians, for example, will celebrate a win for Italy, and that is that, no-one else matters. But for the Maltese, who happen to adore football but whose national team doesn't qualify, the national pride factor is, quite simply, absent. We regard the World Cup as a supreme football competition: everyone will pick a team, hang the country's flag on their balcony and support it avidly. We may even fall out with colleagues or friends (for the duration of the World Cup only) due to opposing views, which may get quite passionate, in true Maltese style. Malta sees a huge celebration every night for the duration of the World Cup, while some may cry very real tears when their team loses. There is no other place in the world where the World Cup is such a passionate, colourful affair, and we just love the intensity of it all!
Winning the Eurovision Song Contest is of paramount importance
One year a friend from Germany came to visit the island during the period of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was hard not to notice, because everywhere we ventured on those nights, big screens were set up broadcasting the event. My friend was puzzled, "Why is there such a fuss about the Eurovision? In my country nobody really cares about it." This despite the fact that Germany has been participating in the contest practically every year since its inception in 1956.
So what's all the fuss about the Eurovision in Malta? The contest itself happens once a year and, leading to it, there is the Malta Eurovision Song Contest. In Malta, the Eurovision equals an entire year of preparation and events surrounding the big event: we hold it dear, and we want that 1st place so, so bad! We almost had it, placing 2nd twice and 3rd twice... oh why does that 1st place elude us? I'm guessing the Eurovision's supreme importance is down to the fact that it offers one of the few avenues where Malta might be able to "make a name for itself" in an international competition; if it's not in football, let it be the Eurovision.
In Malta, politics is a religion
Again it had to be a foreigner to make such an observation, as this is so culturally ingrained that we locals would otherwise fail to see it. But think about it. During the general election, which usually happens every 5 years, nothing else in the world exists but local politics, and nobody will talk about anything else. But that is not all. In Malta, the local council elections are steered politically, and even in a referendum the political leaders will state their position and thus "advise" the people how to vote. The TV and radio stations as well as the local newspapers mostly have a political leaning which is well known to all, and families in Malta are labelled as being "red" or "blue" depending on the political party the (entire) family supports.
Note that I said "political party" and not "political views." Actual politics are given far less importance than loyalty to a particular political party in Malta, and whatever the respective leader says is regarded as one would a gospel. I still have no idea why. I beg help in trying to explain this one.
Our tendency to tell foreigners, "Go back to your country" when they displease us
A bit harsh, yes, particularly when coming from such a friendly people as the Maltese. Indeed, this will come across as extremely offensive to anyone not understanding what it is all about. It is an over-reaction to displeasure, expressed passionately in the typical, fervent Maltese way. It most commonly arises when we feel offended by a foreigner's apparent disrespect towards our country and our people - a really tender spot! We've grown this peculiar righteous form of patriotism over centuries of occupation, and the reaction probably stems from not having been able, for a long long time, to tell someone to f*** off.
In any case, it ensures that the person concerned understands, without any shadow of a doubt, that their behaviour is considered unacceptable and that, if they do not change their ways, they are no longer welcome here. But, of course, if that person demonstrates remorse for such ill deeds, he's likely to be patted on the back and offered a beer, and all will be forgotten in no time at all.
There are so many words in our vocabulary that have no distinct meaning
Mela" is definitely the no. 1 in this category, both for versatility and common usage (click here for more on this). However, it is far from the only word we commonly use that baffles our foreign friends when they would ask what it means and we have no translation to offer.
"Mela, ta."
Or if "No" is your answer, you can just nod your head backwards and click your tongue against your teeth to let me know.
Certainly you must have had some experiences of your own with foreigners who completely misunderstood our Maltese way of expressing ourselves or why we do things the way we do. Which other such Maltese oddities spring to mind? I'd love to hear about them!
We fervently support foreign teams during the World Cup
During one World Cup, I would be in Balluta Bay every evening to meet up with some Canadian relatives and their friends who were visiting. Each night, without fail, a carcade would honk its way along the Sliema Front, flags from different countries hanging out of the car windows, depending on which teams had been playing; the people in those cars were crying tears of joy for the victory of another country's national football team. "Why are they celebrating?" we were asked, "Malta didn't win."
I guess I had never given it any proper thought until that moment. For most countries, the World Cup is less about football and more about national pride. Italians, for example, will celebrate a win for Italy, and that is that, no-one else matters. But for the Maltese, who happen to adore football but whose national team doesn't qualify, the national pride factor is, quite simply, absent. We regard the World Cup as a supreme football competition: everyone will pick a team, hang the country's flag on their balcony and support it avidly. We may even fall out with colleagues or friends (for the duration of the World Cup only) due to opposing views, which may get quite passionate, in true Maltese style. Malta sees a huge celebration every night for the duration of the World Cup, while some may cry very real tears when their team loses. There is no other place in the world where the World Cup is such a passionate, colourful affair, and we just love the intensity of it all!
Winning the Eurovision Song Contest is of paramount importance
One year a friend from Germany came to visit the island during the period of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was hard not to notice, because everywhere we ventured on those nights, big screens were set up broadcasting the event. My friend was puzzled, "Why is there such a fuss about the Eurovision? In my country nobody really cares about it." This despite the fact that Germany has been participating in the contest practically every year since its inception in 1956.
So what's all the fuss about the Eurovision in Malta? The contest itself happens once a year and, leading to it, there is the Malta Eurovision Song Contest. In Malta, the Eurovision equals an entire year of preparation and events surrounding the big event: we hold it dear, and we want that 1st place so, so bad! We almost had it, placing 2nd twice and 3rd twice... oh why does that 1st place elude us? I'm guessing the Eurovision's supreme importance is down to the fact that it offers one of the few avenues where Malta might be able to "make a name for itself" in an international competition; if it's not in football, let it be the Eurovision.
In Malta, politics is a religion
Again it had to be a foreigner to make such an observation, as this is so culturally ingrained that we locals would otherwise fail to see it. But think about it. During the general election, which usually happens every 5 years, nothing else in the world exists but local politics, and nobody will talk about anything else. But that is not all. In Malta, the local council elections are steered politically, and even in a referendum the political leaders will state their position and thus "advise" the people how to vote. The TV and radio stations as well as the local newspapers mostly have a political leaning which is well known to all, and families in Malta are labelled as being "red" or "blue" depending on the political party the (entire) family supports.
Note that I said "political party" and not "political views." Actual politics are given far less importance than loyalty to a particular political party in Malta, and whatever the respective leader says is regarded as one would a gospel. I still have no idea why. I beg help in trying to explain this one.
Our tendency to tell foreigners, "Go back to your country" when they displease us
A bit harsh, yes, particularly when coming from such a friendly people as the Maltese. Indeed, this will come across as extremely offensive to anyone not understanding what it is all about. It is an over-reaction to displeasure, expressed passionately in the typical, fervent Maltese way. It most commonly arises when we feel offended by a foreigner's apparent disrespect towards our country and our people - a really tender spot! We've grown this peculiar righteous form of patriotism over centuries of occupation, and the reaction probably stems from not having been able, for a long long time, to tell someone to f*** off.
In any case, it ensures that the person concerned understands, without any shadow of a doubt, that their behaviour is considered unacceptable and that, if they do not change their ways, they are no longer welcome here. But, of course, if that person demonstrates remorse for such ill deeds, he's likely to be patted on the back and offered a beer, and all will be forgotten in no time at all.
There are so many words in our vocabulary that have no distinct meaning
Mela" is definitely the no. 1 in this category, both for versatility and common usage (click here for more on this). However, it is far from the only word we commonly use that baffles our foreign friends when they would ask what it means and we have no translation to offer.
- I guess "hux?" can be loosely translated as "aye?" which is an affirmation with a question mark, requesting approval, like "isn't it?"
- "Ħi" is likely to be an abbreviation of "ħija," meaning brother, therefore making it the equivalent of Bro ... however it may be used for males and females alike!
- "Ta" is one of the most interesting terms, as it appears to have no meaning whatsoever by itself, but simply emphasises whatever came before it. I have found myself describing it as a sound, rather than a word, that simply adds definition and weight to whatever has just been said; there is no arguing with "ta."
"Mela, ta."
Or if "No" is your answer, you can just nod your head backwards and click your tongue against your teeth to let me know.
Certainly you must have had some experiences of your own with foreigners who completely misunderstood our Maltese way of expressing ourselves or why we do things the way we do. Which other such Maltese oddities spring to mind? I'd love to hear about them!