An italian stereotype that I do not consider real...
Speaking with people from all over the world made me find out that Italians are seen in a different very particular way from the rest of the world. (Or you can say, "... seen in a very particular way." "...the rest of the world" is omitted)One of the stereotypes that in my opinion I don't consider real is this:
"Italian men are womanizers" or "they are always flirting"; in my experience (as an Italian girl), I find Italian men enough very respectful and caring. I didn't expect realize they had such a reputation abroad! When I found out that Italians have this reputation, I asked to some female friends what they thought regarding this stereotype. At the end of the day, they were surprised as well.
I'm sure there are womanizers everywhere and as well as in Italy; however I doubt is coming up in my some thoughts come to mind:
What if Italian men are considered womanizers because when it comes to speaking they watch the eyes (in a very prolonged way) of the listener. intercutur? What if they are considered "Casanovas" because when speaking with someone they are physically closer than other cultures? Or maybe because when talking to someone they hug/kiss/etc easily?
These kind of behaviours are generally part of the Italian culture. the People from different countries may misunderstand (rightly, it's normal sometimes to misunderstand some foreign habits) some actions, since they maintain more "distance" (physically) when speaking.
I noticed in fact, that in many countries people do not hug or kiss so easily; or if they hug and kiss someone, it is because they are really close. Every culture has is own habits and I find discovering them for me it's is very fascinating.
(Please, do not take this too seriously, the thoughts I mentioned are just curiosity and I didn't know what to write to practice my writing :D)
You wrote very well, and yes, I've heard that said in America (I notice you use British spelling and punctuation, so if mine looks odd, that's why). I think it's partly due to all the romantic comedies that the American film industry made sometime during the middle of the 20th Century. But you're right; the fact that Italians stand closer to each other when speaking, and make deeper eye contact is likely the main reason. Maybe those film people came to Italy, saw this difference, and said to themselves, "Oh, look how close the men stand to the women. They must all be sex-crazed." That sounds like Hollywood to me.
In case you wondered, "some thoughts come to mind" is an idiom. It can be used formally, or for fun. Isn't English weird? :-)



