I can't write this post too loudly or I may get berated by my coworker again, but I can't stand when a normal, American-English speaking person feels it necessary to take their tongue on a trip abroad while pronouncing everyday words with foreign origins.I'm not trying to be offensive or foreign-ist or anything, but there is no need to suddenly sound like you've just arrived on Ellis Island when saying words like "mozzarella," "bruscetta" or "quesedilla." (I'm lookin' at you, Giada.)
I'm all for education and the preservation of language. Heck, I still say certain words differently around the Italian side of my family, but when engaged with the general public you just sound a little pretentious when you say certain words with an accent. Just accept our dumbed-down Americanized versions of certain words and move on with your life.