1. Italian stereotypes How much truth is there ?

2. Pasta, only pasta Types of pasta: dried-fresh, long-short-minute, stuffed, egg pasta… in hundreds of different shapes and with a great variety of condiments dried-fresh, long-short-minute, stuffed, egg pasta… in hundreds of different shapes and with a great variety of condiments Italian cooking is extremely regional: different weather conditions and historical influences (Greek, Lombard, Arab, French, Austrian, German, Spanish invasions)

3. Coffee “obsession” Caffè normale (a small cup of very strong coffee, i.e., espresso) Caffè normale (a small cup of very strong coffee, i.e., espresso) Caffè al vetro (espresso served in a small glass) Caffè al vetro (espresso served in a small glass) Caffè in tazza grande (espresso served in a large cup) Caffè in tazza grande (espresso served in a large cup) Caffè macchiato caldo (espresso with a drop of hot steamed milk) Caffè macchiato caldo (espresso with a drop of hot steamed milk) Caffè macchiato freddo (espresso with a drop of cold milk) Caffè macchiato freddo (espresso with a drop of cold milk) Caffè ristretto (espresso with less water) Caffè ristretto (espresso with less water) Caffè doppio (double espresso) Caffè doppio (double espresso) Caffè corretto (espresso with a shot of grappa, cognac, or other spirit) Caffè corretto (espresso with a shot of grappa, cognac, or other spirit) Caffè americano (American-style coffee, served in a large cup) Caffè americano (American-style coffee, served in a large cup) Hag/Dec (decaffeinated coffee) Hag/Dec (decaffeinated coffee) Cappuccino (coffee with tepid steamed milk) Cappuccino (coffee with tepid steamed milk) Caffellatte (coffee with hot milk) Caffellatte (coffee with hot milk) Latte macchiato (hot milk with a bit of coffee, served in a large glass) Latte macchiato (hot milk with a bit of coffee, served in a large glass) Marocchino (steamed milk, coffee and cacao, served in a small glass) Marocchino (steamed milk, coffee and cacao, served in a small glass) Caffè d’orzo (hot malt drink resembling coffee) Caffè d’orzo (hot malt drink resembling coffee) Caffè freddo (iced coffee) Caffè freddo (iced coffee) (…) (…)

4. Forever mamma's boy In Italy, people think Jesus was Italian: he lived at home until he was 33, he thought his mother was a virgin... and she thought he was God!

5. Romantic lovers An Italian guy will never let a girl go home unescorted… An Italian guy will never let a girl go home unescorted… is it romanticism? An Italian guy will always know what to say to a beautiful girl… is it romanticism? Tecnica dello sfinimento: talk, talk and talk in order to “exhaust” a girl… is it romanticism?

6. Fashion victims Italians will never leave their house unless they are convinced that they look well… Appearance is important in the work Not all Italian women “come" directly from the cover of Vogue magazine Not all Italian men wear Armani or Gucci Many times, designer clothes have a negative connotation (fighetto posh)

7. Original speaking Italians speak very loudly in public whether on the bus, in the street or on the phone We are really chaotic Italian people simply cannot talk without move their hands… or their heads, shoulders, eyes, mouths…

10. Mafia and gangsters Italian gangsters in American movies Mafia as an attitude Get the greatest personal advantage from any situation Trust in private “justice” more than in the Public Justice Use one’s own power or authority to control or intimidate somebody Choose to keep quiet to “not pass for a spy”