How does a person LOOK Italian?

Question

And what does it mean when an Italian person is remarked by another as not looking Italian?

Answer 1

generally most Italians are brunette. skin colour varies from very white to significantly dark. eye colour varies. it depends on the part of Italy you are from. i know Sicilians are typically quite olive skinned. with darker eyes and such. also larger noses.

Answer 2

There's no such thing as one, single unifying Italian "look".

Italians come in all shapes, sizes and colours and vary widely just like pretty much any other ethnic group.

Stereotypically, they're portrayed in the media as dark, swarthy and foreign-looking but that's a load of bullsh*t.

The Italian peninsula has been fought over and conquered by a huge number of civilisations in it's long past which gives Italians their diverse genetic mix today.

Sure, SOME may look quite dark.

Others, could pass for Norwegians, I know Italians that fit into both categories.

Don't fall for the stereotypes, if u ever travel to Italy you'll be surprised at how many Italians are quite fair skinned and blonde-haired.

As a general rule Southern Italians are darker than their Northern counterparts, due to their hotter climate and proximity to Northern Africa (where the Moors invaded from), but there are plenty of exceptions.

Answer 3

lots of gold chains

Answer 4

Tony Blair has a conversation about a war for justice and money, forgets to ask for financial compensation for troop commitments and suddenly everyone in the UK is Italian.

Answer 5

my bf is italian and is always saying how they have A LOT of hair.

Answer 6

I think a lot of people have this idea in their heads about how people from certain countries are supposed to look. I think a lot of people associate Italian with dark hair, olive skin, green or dark eyes.

Edit:

When I tell people I have Irish heritage, they aren't surprised. I have red hair, and a very fair complexion. A lot of people think all the people from Ireland look like me.

Answer 7

They think tan skin dark hair, dark eyes. Some Italians could have blonde hair though.

Answer 8

People say i look Italian.. although im not -

People usually assume people are Italian if they have Black or very dark hair, an olive skin, and are usually thin.  

Answer 9

my husband is 100% italian as well

but because of stereotypes is also told he does not look Italian

People believe Italians are all dark hair and dark featured .they think more of the southern Italians from sicily I guess

many northern italian you would find have lighter hair and blue eyes because of the border while sicily and calabria has a history od a different type of immigration

Just like every culture you will find variations.

I am south american (brasilian) and some of my family have darker features and others look even nordic)

infact due to this people tell me I most be adopted

Answer 10

You should read the history of Italians. They made a pact with white people to be classified as "white". They were not all classified as "white" before because they didn't look white. AKA Italians USED to be a race but the whites allowed them to become "white".

The Italians had a Hispanic/Indian look, you can still find many Italians that have dark hair and look exotic.

For example, you know how Hispanics sometimes look white? It's like if they made an agreement that they would be called "white" from now on. But they still don't look "white" and you can still tell the difference. Well, same thing, people can tell the difference with the Italians and Caucasians.

Answer 11

It's the usual stereotype demanding people from one place MUST have identical features; of course that's a preposterous assumption.

People with blond hair and/or blue (or even green) eyes are absolutely common in Italy, even if the majority do have dark hair.

I can even tell you a percentage (I read a survey on an Italian newspaper): 16% of Italian women living in Italy are blondes.

69% have dark hair. So, there's even a 15% of women with a different color, from brown to red.

Answer 12

I was on holiday in  italy just a few days ago..italians just look like normal europeans with slightly tan skin cuz its hot up there...and meditaranean and nordic features i saw different types of italians...

Answer 13

Ummmm........

Black Hair....Black Eyes.......White Skin(yes tanned olive).....Very Beautiful.....Nice Nose.........and sicilian prejudice that will make you think that you are direct descendant of Gods.......

I like Italian look very much.......

Answer 14

does it even matter?

Answer 15

well, usually italians when you think of the normal steriotype are tall dark handsome.

They have some what of an olive complexion.

but then agian, northern italians have either very pale skin and hair, or are red headed!

Answer 16

My roommate and his girlfriend were Italian. The eyes are more sunken in, the nose more defined and the ears are slung low and huge. Arching brows deepen the eyes.

Caucasian (in this case, northern Italians) look more Germanic. Also, the skin is either darker or more--lack of a better word--paler.

Answer 17

Tanned skin...dark hair/eyes?

There's no certain "look" for them rly...

Just the typical person from that country.

like an african would be dark skin, dark eyes, black or brown hair.

A canadian would be light skin, usually brown eyes, any any hair colour...

Answer 18

Well Italian all look Different... My Family is italian, my parents, sister & 1 of my brothers are tanned, dark hair & brown eyes, but me & my other brother are light skinned, light hair & green eyes... But the 1 thing you will notice in italian are that they are tall... Every1 within the family are tall, my g-g-grandfather etc were all tall. I know people look at us and now right away we are italian... & the last name also has alot to do with it.. But I have never seen an italian with blonde hair, but just because I havent seen 1 doesnt mean there arent any out there...So if they dont believe ur italian its cuz of ur hair.