MovieChat Forums > Everybody Loves Raymond (1996) Discussion > Seems like a lot of drama came from cult...

Seems like a lot of drama came from cultural differences.


Debra and Ray are both born and raised Americans, but they come from different familial heritages. I'm a Toronto Italian, and a lot of the Barone's quirks come off typical of people raised by immigrants. Bombastic, overtly honest speech, old fashioned ideals, and keeping close nit with the family etc.

Didn't it ever just occur to Ray to say "hey, that's the way we are. That's how I grew up." Maybe Debra would come off less whiny and intolerant. And if your in-law wants her son's house cleaned, and you keep complaining that cleaning the house is a hassle, than why whine when she cleans the house! You got a free maid!

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I think that's true to a degree but Marie's veiled criticism and Frank's boorishness, both intended for comedic effect, also rubbed off badly with other characters throughout the series.
The free maid observation made me laugh. It reminded me of the King of Queens cross over where Carrie sits back & relaxes with a wine while Marie obsessively cleans her house.

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