A Double Whammy Lesson in “Pazienza”

“Pazienza” = 1) patience or 2) never mind 

Truly one of the most overused words literally and figuratively in the Italian language. 

Example of Term "Pazienza #1"
Yesterday I needed to mail a small package to the states. I didn’t go to my usual guy here up on the hill (stupida!), but down in San Terenzo as I was walking Lucy. I arrived at 11:28AM. I left at 12:27PM. The details in between go something like this: line for 15 minutes, get box and fill it up, have to wait for little old lady to finish her mailing (which is usually, and in this case, a given 10 minutes), I give the box to the post office woman, she tells me to fill out another form, fill out form and wait again for the next person to arrive. Give form to the lady. Now it’s time for the daily mail pick-up. She says to me, “Paziena Signoria” ("Have patience Lady"). Wait 15 minutes. P.O. lady takes my form, realizes she’s given me the wrong one. Gives me new form, I fill that out and wait for the next person to finish. This person actually has the nerve to say to me, “Signoria, c’e una coda” (Lady, there’s a line). I ignored her and her ridiculous notion that I should go back to the end of the line - where was her patience? I give the form to the P.O. lady, she fills out some more paper work and finally takes the package. Everyone sighs in relief as I walk out the door. "Buona giornata to you all of you too." Grrrhhh...

Example of the Term "Pazienza #2"
Then I ran into my landlord (which is always exasperating). The patio table had broken in a storm and they had taken to it have it fixed back in December. I asked her if we could have the table back as spring had arrived and we’d be needing it. “L'abbiamo buttare via." (We threw it away), she responded. Why??? She went on to tell me it was beyond repair (which it was not) and that one of the chairs was broken too (which had was not when we last saw them). Ok, nothing I could do here, so “pazienza” - I just let it go. I then asked her if they could replace the awning above our front door which is disgusting from years of not being taken care of (long before we arrived) and had ripped in hail storm and they had said many times they were going to replace it. She answered “Ma costa lo sai?” (but it costs money you know). Yes, it does. And we’ve spent more than we should to make the place homey. Heaven forbid these people should spend a dime on improving their investment. So, that afternoon I just happen to be driving by their home and I kid you not, there is the tale and chairs in their patio. I have no choice but to forget about it, “pazienza”. BIG Grrrhhhh...