If Italians Don’t Want to Be Stereotyped as Loudmouths, Maybe They Shouldn’t Act Like Loudmouths

“When I see this, I wonder whether Osama Bin Laden had a point;” Italians responds to the “Jersey Shore.”

I hate the “Jersey Shore” as much as the next person, so when recent reports about a new season in a new country emerged, I wasn’t too thrilled. More obnoxious hype about “Snooks” and the gang slutting it up in “the birthplace of the culture they love and live by,” more pointless story lines about the turmoil of Sammy and Ronnie’s relationship; the same trashy nonsense, in a new, historic country.

Giving the Italians a taste of what they’re in for, “Jersey Shore” finally aired in Italy, causing an uproar amongst fellow Italians. Many agree that the acts of “The Situation,” “Pauly D” and “JWOW” paint Italians in a horrible light, weakening an already stereotyped culture.

As expected, hundreds of unwelcoming comments have been made criticizing and denouncing “Jersey Shore” but none as offensive as this comment posted on the MTV Italia website:

“When I see this, I wonder whether Osama Bin Laden had a point.”

Crazy. The fact that anyone, Italian, American, or whatever race, would say this is loony.

The comments about an unjustified stereotype, trashy television, and brainless entertainment are completely understandable but obviously not all Americans act like characters of “The Jersey Shore.” I’m sure that when terrorists plan attacks it’s not due to the fact that we’re a free, prosperous, threatening country; it’s because of the guidos and guidettes sleeping with “grenades” and “beating the beat” all summer long.

If Italy truly wants to be painted in a better light, maybe they shouldn’t make such harsh, offensive comments. It seems kind of hypocritical to call the characters trash and then attack a seriously sensitive American tragedy.

Regardless of what Italians think of “Jersey Shore” the future is inevitable; the Italian-American’s are headed to Italy no matter what. No doubt it will be interesting and funny to watch as the crew learn to adapt to their surroundings and interact with fellow Italian haters. Maybe they’ll learn a thing or two, become humbled, or just mellow out. But probably not.