why people think that italians have olive skin whith dark hair?

Question

and brown eyes?

i'm italian(from italy not like italian-americans)and i have a very light skin whith light blue eyes and light brown hair......................

the most part of italian-americans are in reality SICILIANS..............not really ITALIANS

Answer 1

i am italian too and my answer is that the majority of us have olive skin and dark hair. expecially the majority of those who left italy to go to the states, but if you take italy as a whole the same criteria works.
sicilians are italians, and many of them are blond with blue eyes...ever heard of the normans ruling sicily for some centuries?

Answer 2

Unfortunately most people see the movies and expect all italians to look like that the stereotype of an italian. My husband is italian and has brown hair, blue eyes and light tan skin, do you know how many people ask him if his family is in the mob? its stupid!! Just because he's italian he's automatically in the mob thats like assuming well your'e black so you must eat fried chicken?? Some people I just don't get it??

Answer 3

It all depends where in Italy you are from. If you are from the north, you may not have olive skin and dark hair and eyes because there the people are usually a bit lighter from those in the south. In the south most people do have olive skin with dark hair and eyes

Answer 4

Well, my father was Italian, from Italy, and all ancestors before him were Italian, from Italy. He had dark hair, olive skin and brown eyes.

Being so, I am half Italian, my hair is dark, not black, my skin is a lighter version of olive and my eyes are brown....hmmmmm

Answer 5

Are your ancestors eastern European? My husband is Italian, with olive skin and dark hair/eyes, and every Italian I've known (including those born in Italy) has had these characteristics as well.

Answer 6

Because it depends on which part of Italy you are from. I think most of the ones that moved to America, or moved into the Little Italy Communities were the ones with that look.

Answer 7

Well im mexican and im fair skinned.
Most people say that mexicans are tan, wich is pretty stupid because not all of us are tan.
The skin tones on people are based on genetics and adaptations. Melanin productions go up or down depending on the exposure to uv rays.
Thats why people in places like africa have a dark toned skin, because its an adaptation that they pass on in genes.

Answer 8

i guess it depends on what area of italy u or your people come from ...because they do have those assests u r talkn bout but others r blonde w/blue eyes i've seen them in every way

Answer 9

Ciao Fred ;)

hmmm, i guess like all races, people generalise!!!
can't really help that...my guess is people subconsciously
think it's just way easier to 'categorize' people...so when they think of someone of a race, they can quickly, in their mind, form an image of them (however wrong it may be!)

Answer 10

im half itlien and my italien family are dark complextion dark hair and eyes iv got pale skin though from my mums side!