Whether you're a "fresh-off-the-boat" Italian or come from an Italian family, the rich Italian culture comes with its fair share of stereotypes (which are true in some cases) that can often lead to these familiar questions and situations.
1. How Italian are you?
When you're Italian, people often question just how Italian you really are. This can involve a ton of things from what percent Italian you are, to wondering whether you can recognize every single Italian food or Italian thing people are talking about.
Example: "Hey Tony, do you know who played that guy who drove that car in 'The Godfather'?"
"You don't?"
"Wow, I thought you were Italian."
2. Your involvement in the mafia
It is no secret that movies such as "The Godfather" have given many Americans the idea that the Italian-Americans around them may be part of a secret criminal gang. While the movie actually received notable rejection from Italian immigrants, many Italians today love it and are fascinated by the mafia culture.
Example: "Wow Tony, both your parents came from Italy!
"Were they part of the mafia?"
"Are you part of the mafia?"
3. The "Jersey Shore" stereotype
"Jersey Shore" was a television series that convinced many Americans that the Italian way involved going to a gym and tanning booth. It is literally sickening when people bypass hundreds of years of Italian culture and decide that this reality show (in which almost no one was actually Italian) tells the real story of what it means to be Italian.
Example: "Oh Tony, you're going to the gym?"
"Gym, tan, laundry. Am I right?"
4. Do Italians eat unhealthily?
While people are familiar with a big spaghetti and meatball dinner, pizza, and cannoli as part of the Italian-American diet, the truth is that many Italians don't really eat these foods all that often. Actually, much Italian cuisine is healthy and uses natural herbs and spices to enhance flavor instead of fats. In fact, in Italy, people eat large dishes of vegetables before a main course and dessert usually consists of fruit. Also, Italian-American dinners can even consist of tacos, or Chinese take-out. Who knew, right?
Example: "Tony, what's this fruit doing on my plate?"
"I thought we were having tiramisu!"
5. You are so dramatic!
Of the many stereotypes, one that I can agree with is the notion that Italians tend to be more dramatic than most people. I remember when I was first learning to drive and had my dad in the passenger seat. When I hit the brake he would cinematically throw himself forward as if the car ride had turned into "GranTurismo." Also, when an Italian gets bad news, it's suddenly the end of the world and when an Italian receives good news, then the world is a beautiful place. We can't help it. Many of us are just that dramatic.
Example: "Tony, get up. I know you didn't really faint."
"Calm down. You just missed the bus."
6. Family is everything
Another fact about being Italian is that your family means the world to you, and close friends are also considered to be family. Italians are always willing to do whatever it takes to care for their family, are willing to take time off to spend time with them, and at the end of the day, put them before anything else.
Example: "Tony, you're my brother and I'd do anything for you. Remember that".
