I lived in Italy for almost a year. Most people are very nice, beautiful cities, love the art. I enjoyed it very much except for the part of being hassled by some Italian guys. On random streets, almost everyday, some guys would yell "Nakata!" at me for no reason. I know Nakata is a Japanese footballer, but what is that got to do with me? (I'm not even Japanese) After all, I don't scream "Totti!" to random Italian pedestrians.
I'd like to bring my mother to Italy this summer. What can I do to avoid this kind of unpleasant experience?
2007-02-23 03:05:16 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Thanks for all the insightful answers. I guess I know why "nakata", but why Asians? My friends were never targeted. Actually, they were very angry when they see this kind of things happening to me.
This is how it typically happens:
I'm walking down Via Vittorio with my American friends in all colours. Then one Italian guy would give me a look as he walk past me. He says something to his friends, then he runs back standing in front of me. He screams "Nakata!" or "Jacky Chan!" I give him a look of despire. He's amused and run back to his friends. If I don't look pissed enough, he continues with other random words. It happens about 3 times a week. I tried yelling "pomodoro" back, but the guy was even more amused.
I'm concern that children are not taught properly. I ignored a 7-yr-old when he yelled "Kamehameha!" (dragonball attack)
kid: "Sono Giapponese?"
me: "Sono Italiano?"
kid: "Si! Italiano!"
So funny because he was so serious when he told me he's Italian. (dah!)
2007-02-26 08:27:06 · update #1
I don't think there's anything you can do to avoid it, unfortunately. One of my best friends is Chinese, she's been living here since when she was 7, and I have to say her Italian is maybe even better than mine. She's had the same 'problem' over and over, and I don't think she's got used to it yet...A few years ago, when the fear of a SARS outbreak was huge, she couldn't go out without having people (usually old people, I have to say) calling her rude names, and telling her to go back home...as if...I mean, probably she's much more Italian than they really are.
Also , we have a lot of ignorant young people, and I can see it even with people I know. They're not really mean, they're just stupid and ignorant, which in some cases can be ever worse than being mean in my opinion... some guys lately called her 'Dragonball' (it's a Japanese cartoon I think, not sure , I'm not a big fan) and she really got offended... I feel so sorry for her because she really does not deserve any of this crap, and I'm also sorry for what happens to you...It makes me ashamed of being Italian and I want to apologize to you for all the stupid people who think they have a right to do anything this stupid.
2007-02-26 06:47:22 · answer #1 · answered by Sylvia 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If I were you I would stop having this kind of concerns.
I can understand you've been annoyed but I'm sure this will happen never again to you. Do you know why ??
Here's :
1. Nakata has left Italy a 2 years ago and almost nobody will still remember him next summer also because he has stopped playing soccer in the meanwhile you have been out of Italy.
2. There are 2 or 3 more Japaneses that are actually playing in Italy but their names are weird and not so popular like it was Nakata.
3. Just in case somebody calls you Nakata again you should learn how to answer in Italian : "Non sono giapponese"
4.- If not yet convinced to come then the only one solution could be to come here next year early February ,possibly to Venice, and during the Carnival you can walk the streets wearing a mask.
Even if not comfortable this would avoid someone sees you're are from Asia (unless you're dressed in the Oriental look...!!)
Jokes aside, in total confidence, I feel what did occur to you was a temporary bad fashion among young people and exactly as all the fashions also this one has already passed away.
2007-02-24 23:19:14 · answer #2 · answered by martox45 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hi...I'm sorry this happens to you. I live in Italy, too (have been here 8 years now). Well, first of all Italians love soccer, and secondly most can't tell a Japanese apart from a Chinese or an American apart from an Australian. I've noticed that Italian guys are usually pretty sweet, but for some reason when they are amongst their friends they act like "boys". I think this happens with all men though. I've had Italian guys tell me things like "nice breasts" or "I wish I was your bicycle", etc....I just ignore them because I know they are just saying these things to act stupid and impress their friends. You can either ignore them or respond with a funny and ironic comment.
P.S. For the person who talked about tips......tipping is not done in Italy, that's why your husband's cousins didn't leave any tips.
2007-02-23 21:06:17 · answer #3 · answered by Mari76 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i am a korean american girl and was together with a roman boy for almost 4 years. i worked with a japanese girl and she went on dates with italian guys all the time. i honestly didn't see many asians in rome at all while i was there so maybe it's more of an availability issue than an aesthetic one.
2016-03-15 23:56:52 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
italian guys yell nakata asian girls
2016-02-01 00:16:41 · answer #5 · answered by Sula 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Recognizing a great soccer player from your continent (Italians ARE passionate about soccer) is a whole lot more polite than calling foreigners "big-nose" like they do in the East =)
2007-02-23 03:17:37 · answer #6 · answered by A Box of Signs 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
my husband is Italian, he is second generation American I know from him Italian men are very prejudice in Italy he has been back there at least 3 times to see his male cousins, there must be something I can find out from him how to deal with this first hand,cuz its rude.when his cousins were in Los Angeles visiting they were so rude to every one they would call woman fat in loud voice,they do not tip the waitress. my husband was unhappy
if your ???is still up in 3 hours i will add few words to mine
2007-02-23 03:21:10 · answer #7 · answered by Dove4ever 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋
you should give them your name. otherwise if they didnt call your name. why would you answer. boggles the mind, just boggles it
2007-02-23 03:10:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they are mentally retarded
2007-02-24 16:06:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋