What is it with Italians?

I really do not know. Maybe you have just been unlucky? I do not believe ALL italian students are like that. I have been to Italy many times - and all the Italien students seem like nothing more different than all us other teenagers in Europe and all over the world.

It's probably like letting pigs into mud for the first time on a hot day. They've never been able to wallow before and they instinctively know it will cool them off so they run for it. If Italian youth are as you say, they've been penned up all their life and they see the wallow with no boundaries! They've just got to try it and push the limits. That might be what you're seeing. You have my sympathies!

Hi Mr. Pike! When I saw your title I had to come and take a look and sure enough there something to chew on here As you know I am in Italy but I'm not Italian. I have been here long enough to be considered one but I am still aware of the things that amazed me when I arrived here compared to how I thought life would be here. Let me explain that, yes, Italy is considered a Catholic country and that to me suggested that Sunday should be a day of rest - they play all the league football games here on a Sunday Italian students are not all rowdy but many of them, because they are teenagers, are so. Respect is very lacking in the last generation of Italian students. They don't give up their seat on a bus, they overtake with their scooters even on a level crossing and 'old' people have one foot in the grave as far as many are concerned and given no consideration at all. I will comment her on what I read on the other responses too: Italian kids are for the most part very spoilt. They have the latest clothes and the latest cell-phones (yes because most have more than one) and are definately not 'penned up' all their lives. School uniforms are non-existent and they had to bring out new rules to inform them that no electronic euipment would be allowed in the end of year exam rooms. Anyone caught would have to resit the exam - next year. Most of them go out ver the week-end (which starts on a Friday evening). I often think it was their parents who allowed them so many of the latest tech stuff that has caused the economic situation that many families complain of now. If a child of 10 has a cell-phone, who is topping it up? They do have a hotter temper and they are 'right' about everything. They are Italian and they are led to believe by the media that Italian is 'in' all over the world. When I return to UK twice a year I can pick them out anywhere - in the towns, in the queues and on public transport - and not only due to the clothes they are wearing. They are different from how I expected them, especially the last batch and, sadly, the future is grim as most think they will have evything provided for them - though manners seem to have been an option. You want to come here Pike and do your job in an Italian cathedral? Here they are silent while they admire everything and take their litter to the nearest bin, which is something that was only an English habit when I moved here. Weird world indeed!

Italian students turn into something else ... yes, Australians! Bwahahahaa! No offence to all other Australians out there, but I went on a tour of Europe with a coachload of fellow Aussies when I was 21, and was appalled at them filling their handbags, pockets and socks with bread rolls, croissants, cold meat, etc., from the continental breakfast every morning, so they wouldn't have to buy lunch later - bwahahahaa! I was SO embarrassed. At least they didn't resort to violence, but there WAS a bit of argy-bargy for the last apple danish! (And none of them were students, either ... they were mostly retirees!)

Hi p1key, I am part Italian myself but I never behaved like that when I was young, my mum would have killed me, lol!! I don't think they respect our country or cathedrals or they weren't brought up properly, well I just don't know whey these youngester woud behave unruly like that but you are doing a good job keeping them in line, well done to you, gosh! I can't imagine our p1key being so stern. Hugs. Tamara xxxx

Hi, my country is very near Italy and we get many visitors from their country. But first of all I want to say that we get a lot of students from different countries that come to learn English and most of them are make havocs and not any particuar group since they are still students and apart from studying they are mostly interested in sea and partying in the evening. When I used to work in a restaurant the Italians were the most that I didn't like since they are very demanding and all the time wanting something, also they don't spend much, like share a bottle of water between six people. The young boys are more interested in charming the girls to get their way with them and for that I don;t like them much. But then I love their country for great food and many places of interest and culture. We are Mediterranean and it is said that our temper is not as that of the British or other countries where people are more calm and indifferent at certain points. We tend to get more angry and are more spontaneous in a way though very welcoming, generous and helpful. Have a nice day!

Perhaps it is because they are angelic while at home so they come here to behave badly. Maybe they think our football hooligans are normal and that's how they are expected to behave!

Hi p1ke, the only thing that comes to mind here about Italian teenagers is the fact they all have a versatile temper even the aduts do and that temper can fire at any given moment..apart from the older and wiser adults, but teenagers as their hormones are all over the place can be awful at that age...LoLo xx

this kind of behaviour is ill mannered to say the least and i am an american of italian decent so i read your rant with an open mind. you have made your point but i could have done without your comment about italians being "boonish". i could banter that the english are 'arrogant and stuffy" but i won't.

Many young people today have a disdain for structured religion. Some are raised by parents that did not attend services regularly, others are disillusioned with everything going on in the world today. That still doesn't give excuses for that kind of behavior. My guess is that in their own country they behave better simply because they are afrain word will get back to parents or other authority figure. Visiting another country there is less likelihood of that. Another point is to look at todays music, comedy, games and movies. What we grew up with is nothing like what kids today are exposed to. Prior generations may have thought that the Beatles were bad...but they were NOTHING like todays heavy metal and rap music.

It may just be that they have so many restrictions at home that they feel the need to let out all their built up frustrations and emotions somewhere where their family might not find out. After all while they are not with their family students do tend to let go and become ill mannered slobs whether they're from a good or not so good family or society. Any student just wants to have fun and when away from the nest they tend to think that they don't have to follow all the rules which once constrained them... that or things are changing in the country so that the next generation isn't as nice as the previous.

Why not pervent them from!!