Mount Etna is a “multitasking” volcano, beautiful and attractive, with enormous possibilities for outdoor activities and itineraries that – inevitably – attract crowds of tourists every year. Visitors from all over the world especially love to go hiking: to the summit craters, into the woods, in the caves and, of course, they love when there is an eruption to enjoy from the main panoramic points. In all this route, they of course come into contact with the locals.
The inhabitants of Etna
The inhabitants of Etna are usually very kind and hospitable people. Like all “mountain populations”, those who live on this special mountain often open their doors to foreigners, generously offering their time and their products. The people of Etna do not even have any problems in acting as improvised guides to any tourist who asks for information – even if it is always better to rely on professionals! Usually the people of the volcano leave an excellent memory of themselves to visitors. But … be careful! There are some “sore points” that you should never touch when talking to a Mount Etna resident. Here is a short list of five things NOT to ask… never ever!
Five things not to ask Etna people
1 Aren’t you afraid?
Avoid asking this question, even though it’s very natural. People who live on a volcano are used to this type of mountains. In particular, Etna people experience Mount Etna as their “mother”. How can you be afraid of your mum? She is certainly a strict mother, and often punishes her children. People here know this, but no… they are not afraid. And if they are at the beginning, they learn soon (as children) not to be.
2 Will ash fall?
If you find yourself on Etna during an eruption, don’t ask your B&B host, or the lady at the trattoria, or the guy at the newsstand in the square for this information. You better get information via weather apps on social media by asking “where the wind is blowing” instead. Based on the answer, you will understand where the ash will fall and you can avoid it or … open your umbrella and live the experience live! The people of Etna hate this question, for two totally opposite reasons: those who hate the annoyance of the ash will feel provoked and may even react rudely; those who, despite feeling annoyed, love the show of the “ash plume” will look at you as boring tourists who complain about the inconvenience and will respond with annoyance as well!
3 What is IDDU doing today?
Watch out! The Sicilian word IDDU (he) indicates a male entity; no inhabitant of Etna would ever use that to indicate the volcano. Here, Mount Etna is a female. Iddu refers exclusively to the Stromboli volcano, in the Aeolian Islands. Etna at most will be a “Idda” (she), even if the people here like to call it simply “a Muntagna” (the mountain).
4 Is it dangerous to come visit Etna?
This is usually asked by tourists who have booked a room or a restaurant on the slopes of the volcano and, in the event of an eruption, are tempted to cancel. The inhabitants will kindly answer (but often through their teeth!) that Mount Etna’s eruptions are not dangerous, that they always occur very far from towns. In the unfortunate event that sometimes lateral vents open and lava flows out a few kilometers from the houses … but it happens maybe once every 30 years! …. there is plenty of time to escape and get to safety with luggage and everything. In fact, Etna’s lava is very slow and grinds only a few meters a day.
5 Why do you keep staying here?
Never ask this question, especially don’t ask it with the pitying air typical of those who don’t understand what Etna has more than Milan, Venice or London! Sicilians love to complain, and they will surely tell you that … yes, life is better abroad, up north everything works as it should and “not like here”. But they will also tell you that what a volcano like Etna gives you – fertile land, genuine agricultural products, underground waters that greatly limit drought, resistant building materials, a relaxing and unhurried life but also moments of pure adrenaline – is difficult to exchange for a higher salary in a larger and more polluted town. The people of Etna do stay because it is beautiful here … and they do not understand (even if they will not show it) why you could ever ask for such a thing! (PHOTOS BY GRAZIA MUSUMECI)