Stereotypes are based on truth, and many perpetuate the stereotype. But that doesn't mean every Italian is a "Guido" -- same for all races/creeds/etc.
That's a good point. Sometimes it's hard for all of us to escape certain stereotypes.
My late Italian father in law worked like a dog for most of his life, seven days a week, at the family restaurant. Now, as MaryCas could attest, I grew up in an area in northeastern PA that had a stronger mafia presence per capita than probably any place in the country. He was quiet and mild mannered, but was brutally critical of relatives and others, who perpetuated the stereotype because he felt they were branding him.
Like many Italians, he refused to watch movies and shows, like The Godfather, because he felt it fueled the stereotype.
The one luxury he allowed himself was a shiny black Cadillac, which he only drove to the mall on Saturday nights with his wife (making sure to park far away from other cars). He'd have the car for 5 years and only put on 10,000 miles.
