Why must Italians be unfairly stereotyped as mobsters?

I mean, it's not as if organized crime is the leading industry in the country, making up 7% ot GDP or anything like that.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/world/europe/23italy.html?ref=world

 

And why do they keep bringing knives to gun fights?

 

Nice reference.

That's the Chicago way.

 

Maybe because so many guys who have gotten whacked in the greater New York area since about 1900 had names ending in a vowel.

 

Hell, last time I was in North Jersey, every Guido in a jogging suit was acting as though he was a mobster.

 

Fuck that, try going down the Shore during the summer. Three-quarters of the jokers down there are trying to look like 'roided-out version of the Gotti pricks.

 

That's what I'm saying. Half the population wants you to think they're in the mob or that they know someone who's in the mob.

 

Madon! Vaffanculo, eh! Youse don't want to make me have ta call some guys.

 

Hey, the story is about Italians. Once they get to America they're totally reformed.

 

I remember a line from NYPD Blue.
Perp: How come you think everybody from Colombia is selling drugs?
Cop: Because everybody I've ever met from Columbia was selling drugs.

 

Because it's more profitable than owning a delicatessen in New York?

 

Sirs, Madames,

From what I can figure, it's a stereotype kept alive, mostly, by Italians, possibly because it keeps a large cluster of actors, directors, writers and the like employed. (At some point, mob related entertainment will outstrip Mafia-tied criminal activity in revenue.) Grandfathered exception to PC.

YHS, etc