J-Woww & The Situation in Florence?

I really wouldn't worry about it. So long as you're pleasant and polite you won't have any issues.

Why would they film that show in Florence, of all places? There's no 'shore' that I'm aware of in Florence. Why not the coast? As for Ugly American stereotypes, the only image you can control is your own. Just be the best ambassador you can be and leave it at that.

As a native of NJ, I apologize in advance to the citizens of Florence for whatever transpires. I also found it strange that the show would choose Florence as the initial location, versus, say, the Cinque Terre, Sicily, or even Anzio. Maybe the show's producers classified the banks of the Arno as a beach? In any event, this could be a positive experience if these morons could stop concentrating on their abs and other body parts to learn about the amazing art, culture, and history of their ancestors. They could also visit the American military cemetery outside of Florence and pay their respects to their countrymen who gave their lives fighting Fascism - so that these idiots can today enjoy the freedom to make millions of dollars at the expense of the equally brain-dead fellow Americans who tune in to this trash every week.

I weep for Florence.

While it is unfortunate that they're actually in Italy, most Europeans know that Jersey Shore is not typical America, they're already aware of any of the stereotypes that these people are going to display. For most Europeans, it won't affect their view of most Americans. And the ones who are upset about the Jersey Shore cast will have already found problems with other Americans. It reminds me of this summer in Switzerland when a racist German man came up, saw my world cup Italia shirt, pointed to his swastika/reich eagle tattoo and started saying "Italian? White Pride, White Pride." He was already racist to begin with, it didn't reflect on me at all.

(referring to my post right above this)
Also, his actions/feelings do not affect my ideas of all Germans. I know most have no problem with me, most do not believe that I am not white since I have dark hair and olive skin. He was a stupid German, just like Jersey Shore are stupid Americans.

They've actually got a decent following over here as the show is shown on Italian MtV. It seems the Italy version is delayed now, they couldn't get some permits or something.

Does anyone know how long they will be there for? I'll be in Florence in a few weeks, and I was just wondering if they will still be there.

I hope the people of Italy do what we in the US should do when that show comes on, change the chanel.

My guess is that they're going to be there for some time since they just started production. Maybe you should skip Florence this time. According to MTV: "Chris Linn, MTV's executive vice president of programming and head of production, said in a statement, the cast is headed to the birthplace of the culture they love and live by. We can't wait to see what erupts as a result." What the hell does that mean? They're not really Italian...they're not even from New Jersey. Just a bunch of posers behaving like a-holes.

"Snooky" is a Chilean who was adopted by an Upstate NY family, light years north of the central NJ beach area. So, she has nothing to do with Italy or NJ.

I thought I was the only one that was concerned...
I read online (can't remember where) that the mayor of Florence is restricting where the cast can be and what can be filmed. They are pretty much banned from Uffitzi and Academia, and can't be filmed in front of bars as he doesn't want Florence portrayed as a "drinking/party town". Good for him! That helps the locals, but not sure how it will help the American side of it. Its too bad that Florence, the birthplace of art and creativity after years of the "dark" ages is now subject to such nonsense. The city where progress started is now home to regression. Be morons on your own turf.

Yeah the mayor has restricted it a lot. And the university where they're staying in the dorms has warned all of their students not to sign anything, don't let yourself be filmed, involved, etc.

"'Snooky' is a Chilean who was adopted by an Upstate NY family, light years north of the central NJ beach area. So, she has nothing to do with Italy or NJ. She grew up in an Italian-American family and was raised in those traditions. Malboro, NY is 140 miles to Seaside, NJ. Light years? As someone from upstate NY, I can assure you she grew up a good 4 hours from what is really upstate NY. I will be in Florence in a few weeks too and I am hoping to see this band of freaks. T-shirt tiiiiime.

GTL!

"Malboro, NY is 140 miles to Seaside, NJ. Light years." It's not Seaside. There is no "Seaside" NJ. It's Seaside Heights. I was there every summer every year until I went to college and grad school in Upstate NY. Duh folks living 'bov dat West Point ding don't tawk like dat Neither do most NJ people. "She grew up in an Italian-American family and was raised in those traditions." "Those traditions". Wow. A profoundly disappointing stereotype. Good luck wit dat.

I watched some news footage today of the cast arriving in Florence, and it's already becoming somewhat of a circus. "The Situation" didn't waste any time latching onto one of the local girls. I'm only thankful that I won't be in Florence during this "event"!

I guess Rick will have to start putting a gym-tanning-laundry section in his books now...
Personally my issue isn't the cast or show, it's that they chose Florence. Las Vegas? Yes. The red light district in Amsterdam? Yes. Maybe (maybe!!) even Rome seeing as it's more gritty, and larger giving them ample space for druken antics. But Florence? And you know at some point they are going to venture into the Tuscan hills. I just can't see it. It's sad that this is a wonderful opportunity for them, but because of the reputation they built for themselves, thousands of people will be holding their breath in anxiety until they leave.

I grew up in New Jersey in an Italian-American home. I can't honestly say that I grew up with "those traditions". That comment just demonstrates how little these folks know about New Jersey or being Italian. Just because your name ends in a vowel and you eat pizza (lasagne, manicotti, cannoli, etc) doesn't make you Italian! They would all do themselves a favor if they put on some clothes, shut their mouths, and open their eyes and ears--they might actually learn something! Does anyone know how long they will be there? I'm going in September and hope they are long gone by then. On the other hand, I know we won't be frequenting the same venues!

"She grew up in an Italian-American family and was raised in those traditions." Let me clarify. I didn't mean the Jersey shore "guido" stereotype as the traditions. I meant Italian-American. I take exception with the notion that because this girl was adopted, she has no connection with Italy, as was stated in a prior post.

Yeah, but MTV promoted the whole "Guido" angle for ratings, so they and the cast are the ones responsible for the negative stereotype. And, these people have no more ties to legitimate Italian heritage or culture than an Iowan might have to his Czech ancestry who migrated here to work on farms and in coal mines. Eating spaghetti and lasagna really doesn't count. BTW, does J-Woww celebrate her "Spanish" or "Irish" heritage? Maybe if she eats jamon or Haggas regularly (or maybe that's Scottish...I don't know). :)

Speaking as an Italian-American who grew up in a very Italian-American home, I'd like to point out that some of you are talking about "Italian Heritage" and others are talking about "Italian-American Heritage". Two very different cultures, but both are perfectly valid in their own right. So we're kind of talking past each other here in this discussion. I ran into this problem recently when my father came for a vist. I took him to a fantastic Italian resturaunt here in Seatte that serves more traditional Italian/Sicillian dishes (La Fontana - you MUST check it out if you're ever in Seattle). After dinner my father - who's idea of Italian food is the traditional spaghetti and meatballs - said the food was ok, but "wasn't really Italian food". I had to explain to him that it in fact WAS real Italian food and that what he was used to were dishes that changed over time by generations of Italian's living in America. I don't think he understood, but I tried. :-)

I think, unfortunately, some American taste buds have become so accustomed to bad food that they don't know good food when they experience it. It isn't just ethnic food, either. A number of years ago some friends visited me in Maine and ordered clam chowder at a local restaurant. They hated it--couldn't deal with the chunks of clams in the chowder--too much Campbell's soup I'm afraid.

"After dinner my father - who's idea of Italian food is the traditional spaghetti and meatballs - said the food was ok, but 'wasn't really Italian food.'" Bob, next time, take him to Mama Stortinis. There is one in Kent and one in Puyallup. East coast Italian all the way. Sunday gravy like he grew up with. You'll save a few bucks too.