Not your average, American man

His hair was gelled, he wore gold-rimmed aviators and on the back of his pants, in lime green print, “Frankie says relax.”

With just one glance, Italian men, famous for their time spent primping and accessorizing, are legendary for knocking the socks off of most American women.

But it’s more than just their well-groomed appearance that makes this group stand out: They greet each other with a kiss on each cheek, they sit next to each other on the bus with their knees touching, they even shed tears when emotional.

From my observations, Italian men have popped the bubble of personal space, inviting people to see their multiple sides, from sheer excitement to vulnerability.

After growing up in the United States, where men are taught to be tough, falling somewhere between the image of the Brawny Paper Towel man and G.I. Joe, it’s almost refreshing to see men who giggle and wear capris.

The lines between gender norms seem fuzzy in Italy, softened by Prada cashmere sweaters and frothy cappuccino foam.

Looking in the window of a Florentine trattoria, it’s entirely normal to find two men sipping red wine and sharing a plate of bruschetta, savoring the relaxing lunchtime hour catching up on events in each other’s lives.

Italian men aren’t paralyzed by the thought of being mistaken for homosexual.

When they have affection for someone, male or female, they show it.

This sentiment is very fitting with another observation I have made about Italian men: They know what they want.

They exude confidence, which seems to be most evident as they walk down the street with their chests stuck out, eyeing women up and down and making “cat calls” whenever they feel like it.

As an American woman, this observation might be different from the average perspective, but nonetheless, Italian men, as compared to American men, are more aggressive and actively voice their opinion.

It has become a running joke among classmates in my study abroad program to see who has heard the most interesting pick up line — “Excuse me miss, would you like a café, dolce, me?” while serving a Margherita pizza in the shape of a heart.

They don’t necessarily expect to receive attention from these women, but nonetheless, they exercise their ability to say what they what, wherever they want.

But with this “gift of gab” comes a more likable present: a caring side that reveals a
sensitive gentleman.

As I walk to school each morning, I pass countless fathers who walk hand-in-hand with their young daughters, donning a small pink backpack along with their leather briefcase, stopping now and then to tie a shoelace or look at the newest Hello Kitty toy in the window display.

Italian men wear their emotions on their sleeves.

Imagine an Italian soccer game. During the final seconds when the game has gone into double overtime, a player makes a final attempt to score a goal and fires the winning shot right past the goalie

The streets of the town begin to fill with men, rejoicing as they jump up and down, dance and hug each other as if celebrating the birth of their newborn children.

Their happiness can be seen and heard from miles around, and they don’t shy away from expressing this joy at this decibel.

Yet these are only a few observations on the mysterious breed that is Italian men.

My attempt to generalize this group will forever fall short of their inexplicable style and character.

And while I wish I could sum up their brilliance in one article, their unique qualities need to be seen for oneself, for they far outnumber the endless varieties of pasta or gelato that exist in this beautiful country.