Racial Stereotypes

Oh dear, we can't help it, we all do it.   And today's stereotype is:  Italians.... Having lived in Italy a bit, and having spent more of my holidays there than anywhere else, I do know a fair bit about Italians - and I know that they don't really conform to the traditional "laughing carefree peasants" stereotype promulgated in the 19thC.  But one of the longest stories about them has been about cowardice... jokes about Italian tanks having 5 reverse gears etc.  I don't know why - maybe because they aren't a great fighting race, and have often hired mercenaries to fight their wars, rather than fighting themselves. 

Anyway, I don't especially credit the cowardice stereotype - but the behaviour of the Italian captain has rather confirmed it, and then one hears that he was sailing close to the harbour in order to show off to his mate.  The showy-off thing is something more remarkable in Italian men than in say, Belgian men.  There was a remarkable recording of his discussion with the coastguard who was berating him for his behaviour.  The contempt and sarcasm were marvellous  "Oh, so it was dark?  And you were afraid?"  It was marvellously entertaining - one listened with horror, how could he be so completely lacking in dignity and diligence... now it is said that he "tripped over and fell into a lifeboat".    Really almost as accident prone as Berlusconi - perhaps that could be added to the racial stereotype: creators of implausible excuses...