Why do Americans think Italians gesticulate??

Question

Coz we dont!!

Answer 1

I've been to a bocci ball game and the Italians are wild with arm gestures

Answer 2

Not only Americans, but Brazilians think that, too. There are some Italian immigrants here who really gesticulate, but I think they are from specific regions of Italy, so, the stereotype should not be applied to all immigrants from that country.

Answer 3

In my experience, it's not because people are Italian, it's because of where they are from. I'm from NY and most people use alot of arm and hand waving when they talk. Maybe becuase there are alot of Italians in NY, people began to generalize that it was them. Of course alot of people in Italy gesture wildly, so maybe it's like the chicken and the egg. Did we New Yorkers pick it up from Italians or what? All I know is I have accidentally popped someone more than once while having a conversation(and vice versa).

Answer 4

It's a pattern used in American movies and TV shows, I admit. I also had Italian in-laws back in the 1960s, and they did seem to talk with their hands quite a bit. In fact, my husband, who was born & raised in the US, did it. I think he learned it from his father.

Kids pick up the habits of their parents, especially if they love and respect those parents. Maybe it is mostly Italian-Americans who do this: that is, people who have had to struggle to make themselves understood in English when Italian is native to them.

Answer 5

Because Anglo Saxons are rather stiff in their body
language and Latins ARE NOT.It is a matter of visual
learning and temperament

Answer 6

How do you shut up an Italian?

Grab his/her hands!!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

It's part of the language and culture.