From Pizza and Pasta to Fashion: Fighting with Italian Stereotypes

Italy is one of the top five most visited countries in Europe – about five million tourists come here every year. They are drawn to places by the food, culture, views, and variety of cities to visit. Italians are friendly people who manage to combine quiet dinners and noisy parties. Getting closer to the local atmosphere and people, many acquire Italian stereotypes. Why is this happening?

Of course, Italians are distinguished by their character and loud voice. They made coffee, cooking, and fashion popular worldwide. Is that all they stand out for? Is it true that Italians are what we think they are? Let's find out!

Common Italian Stereotypes

How are stereotypes created? If you’ve never been to Italy, then your opinion of the locals is shaped by the media and the stories of others. Social networks, films, and TV series often show Italians as loud and emotional people who hate Starbucks Frappuccino and pineapple pizza. We analyzed several of the most popular stereotypical Italian things.

Italians Eat Pasta and Pizza Every Day

In 2017, traditional Neapolitan pizza became part of the UNESCO cultural heritage. And for good reason – this is the country’s national dish and the pride of the local population. Many local pasta and pizza restaurants have a Michelin star and are recommended.

Do Italians eat this every day? Yes, they do. Pasta is a classic homemade dish, and pizza has become an element of street food. But who are we to judge? Maybe someone thinks this is wrong, but almost all countries have their variations, borrowed from the Italians, such as Chicago or Hawaiian pizza.

Italians Speak with Their Hands

Mamma mia! 🤌 Probably every Italian person has seen or parodied this famous gesture at least once. In many films, Italians are shown as loud people who yell and speak with their hands. For example, the gesture above is called Che vuoi? [ke 'vwɔi] and can be used interrogatively or critically.

The most exciting thing about this “sign language” is that its exact meanings are not recorded in the dictionary, and different hand moves can change their meaning over time. In any case, Italian gestures are recognizable and are often associated with Italian stereotypes phrases.

Italians Are Always Late

If you think your Italian friend disrespects you by being late for meetings, then know this is not so! One of the amazing facts about these people is that they can spend a day full of meetings and appointments under the auspices of prendersela comoda [pren'dɛrsela 'kɔmoda]. This phrase means to take your time, calmly finish your tasks, and start new ones. It sounds fantastic if you know the proper pronunciation. 

For many Italian people, it is expected to be late for an important meeting, since their concept of being late does not coincide with that of other cultures. On the other hand, you can learn from this – slow gathering and order in your head is a kind of mediation. Take things slowly, don’t stress, and give yourself time – these tips can be learned from this. Try it while you are waiting for your date and they are 20 minutes late.

Italians Are Obsessed with Fashion

Many fashion houses, such as Dior, Dolce Gabbana, Fendi, and Gucci, were created in Italy and continue to convey today's Italian vibe. Residents of large Italian cities dress stylishly for any event. Of course, not all Italians tolerate Germans wearing hiking clothes in town or Americans wearing pajamas to the store.

Many Europeans believe that the locals are too into their looks and outfits, which has created a new stereotype. There is another reason: most of the Italian economy is based on creating and selling expensive fabrics: cashmere, wool, and silk. You can often see these materials on Italians; they prefer quality items over fast fashion.

Italians Love Coffee

This is a popular Italian stereotype. The nation has a long history of coffee, dating back to the 16th century, when it was introduced to Europe. Italy quickly became a major buyer of coffee beans and continues to be a big fan of the drink.

Don’t even get us started on the right time for coffee. If you want to order a cup of cappuccino in the evening, people will look at you strangely. Italians don’t drink coffee after 12 and don’t understand those who do.

Italians Are Passionate and Impulsive

In Italy, many tourists from Germany are especially surprised by the habit of laughing and talking loudly, using their idioms and local slang. However, this is okay for Italians. They are quarreling from the outside, although they are just discussing an exciting story. Some people may feel uncomfortable in such environment, so they can choose more touristy locations.

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Debunking the Stereotypes of Italians

Are these stereotypes true? Well, partly, yes. But remember that many are associated with Italy’s cultural heritage and traditions, which every tourist should respect. This is not to say that every stereotypical Italian person eats pizza daily or wears only haute couture clothes; they are just regular people with their own preferences and tastes.

Fashion and Daily Life

When it comes to fashion, you can’t talk about Italians as snobs who put appearance first. Italy is a hub of artistic development. This is a country where the Renaissance and Antiquity are closely mixed, and Italians have often been cultural and fashion trendsetters for centuries. In everyday life, Italians prefer casual clothes made from natural fabrics and a minimum of jewelry.

Passion and Relationships

This stereotype leads to jokes about active gestures, attributing them to impulsiveness. But let’s think about this a little: how many jokes do you know about noisy Spaniards and Latinos? What about Asian moms? So, this is the answer to this stereotype.

The Italians are friendly and relaxed. Their vibrant personality is visible in their gestures and emotions, but they also know how to laugh contagiously and show tenderness, love, and support. You can say that they are too extra, but this is the picture you see as a tourist. They cannot contain themselves in noisy bars and cafés. Everything is different in Italians' daily lives.

Plunge into the Italian Culture with Promova

The Italian language is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Want to know more? Welcome to the Promova language learning app, a place where learning new things is enjoyable and easy. We have created a guided Italian course for beginners and experienced learners. Here, you will find:

• Interactive lessons. Tests, crosswords, and original presentation of material allow you to learn the language from all sides dynamically and excitingly.
• Built-in dictionary. Analyze your progress, work on mistakes, and choose words of interest.
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Conclusion

There are dozens of stereotypes about Italians and their culture. In reality, tourists return rested and happy – these people are cheerful and friendly. The local culture is rich and diverse, so the features of the nation are cool!