There are plenty of people who have their photos taken, that do not get famous, even if their photo happens to appear in a newspaper. There are plenty of pretty people, who do not get famous. There are plenty of happy people who do not get famous. There are plenty of trade unionists who do not get famous. However, if you show true intense happiness over a political event and if you are pretty and a journalist happens to take a picture of you at that very instant, you can get reasonably famous.
That is what happened to Maruska Piredda, an air hostess with Alitalia. Last week, when her trade union, Cisl, said no to yet another proposal to save the airline, she was happy over the outcome, and her radiant face made it to newspapers around the world.
To many of us, her reaction seemed bizarre. The airline has no money left, and it is bleeding millions every day. Any attempt to rescue Alitalia seemed laudable, and here signora Piredda shouted of joy that the rescue was refused.
Corriere della Sera was also intrigued and interviewed her. She was also interviewed on Italian state television.
There are two interesting things here. One is that someone can get famous for being happy in the wrong place. The other is that it may not have been the wrong place after all. For the time being (28 September 2008), it seems like the airline is saved anyhow. And the strong (some people may say "mad") actions of the unions may have led to better conditions for the staff in the long run. Provided the airline survives.
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