Is this a cultural thing? I have noticed that people from Latin cultures are very generous, particularly with the hungry.<p>I was at a small Mexican restaurant, waiting to order some takeout. Outside, on the pavement, there were a few diners enjoying their meals, including a Hispanic person who looked like he worked construction or some similar trade. A vagrant was passing by, and he slowed down, ever so slightly, at the sight and smell of the delicious foods inside. The diner quickly called out to the vagrant and said he should order something for himself; it would be paid for.<p>It was a spontaneous act of charity from someone who was not too well off himself. It made quite an impression on me.
>As a teenager in Italy drafted into Mussolini’s army, he escaped and joined the resistance forces as an underground freedom fighter, planting explosives on roads and railroads to thwart fascism’s spread across Europe.<p>If the war had gone a bit different, this man might have gone down in history as a little-known terrorist. Makes me think how lucky I am to live in such peace. Not everyone in the world, or even my community, gets to experience that.
There used to be (I'm going back over twenty years) a roadside honor market off of NC 28 in the NC mountains. It was just a simple wood shack with honey, jams, chowchow, etc. You could take what you wanted and there was a slot to deposit your money.<p>I was in Miami for Hurricane Andrew. A gas station near me, the attendant had to leave. They left the pumps on and a sign to leave cash. There was an article later in the Miami Herald that folks ended up leaving more than the amount of gas sold (this is from memory, I may not have the details correct).<p>People are mostly trustworthy. If not, society would collapse. Yes, there are bad people. The trick is to not become cynical and more importantly, not to build a society that loses all compassion. Otherwise the bad people win.
I live right around the corner from Art’s home and love stopping by to pickup a frozen lasagna or Pesto sauce. Although I only got to meet him a couple times, he always felt like a neighbor and grandfather figure. He served pasta at many of my high school fundraisers. RIP to a great man. It was really nice to see this tribute make its way over here on HN. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Grew up in Sonoma County, love the pasta king. Whenever we go to the Sonoma County fair it’s a tradition to visit his permanent food stall, and get a massive plate of spaghetti to share.
Also lost count of the number of charity dinners/lunches I went to catered by the Pasta King, more often than not Art himself was there.
If you are in the area, there are other amazing old school Italian American experiences that are great.<p>Two in Petaluma
<a href="http://www.angelossmokehouse.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.angelossmokehouse.com/</a> - the Past King's brother
<a href="https://volpisristorante.com/" rel="nofollow">https://volpisristorante.com/</a><p>Plus some wineries, although those have lost some of their charm.
Something this wonderful story doesn't touch on (and rightfully So, it doesn't fit the tone) is when people break his trust.<p>I think it's relatively easy to be trusting. I think it's harder to remain trusting when it gets broken on occasion. That's the secret I want to learn about.
I never paid for Pasta King pasta like that, but when I lived down the road from him my roommate slaughtered chickens and sold them with an identical honor system. People just left a @$20 bill on the kitchen table and took their chicken.