Italian Exchange Student Calls Out ‘Fake’ Italian

Imagine meeting someone who claims to be from your home country, only to find out their connection is a bit…distant. That’s exactly what happened to a 20-year-old Italian exchange student in the US. Excited to meet a fellow Italian, he soon discovered the guy’s Italian heritage was a little more diluted than he claimed. But when he called him out on it, not everyone agreed with his stance.

Meeting the ‘Italian’ Friend

Impressive Accent, But… ️

The Italian Brag

Great Grandparents’ Connection

The Triggering Comment

Harsh Reality Check

Invalidating Heritage?

Rude or Right? ️

The Real Issue

Is He Really Italian?

So, our Italian exchange student was excited to meet a fellow Italian, only to find out that the guy’s connection to Italy was through his great grandparents. When the guy claimed to understand what it’s like to be of a different culture, the exchange student couldn’t hold back anymore. He called him out, saying he’s not Italian and shouldn’t go around telling people he is. But was he right to do so, or just plain rude? Let’s dive into the internet’s top reactions to this spicy situation…

Debate over ethnic identity and cultural connection in America

Cultural differences lead to Italian identity debate. NAH, but douchey.

An American with Italian ancestry is called out for being ‘fake’ Italian, but commenters point out that he has studied Italian culture, goes to Italy every year, and may even have Italian citizenship through ancestry.

Italian exchange student called out for condescending behavior

Cultural differences lead to disagreement over claiming Italian heritage

The clash between ‘real’ Europeans and ‘heritage’ Americans is exhausting

Defining cultural identity: Is it based on ancestry or upbringing?

Black German defends embracing heritage, calls out harsh approach.

Bilingualism can cause language mixing, NTA for exchange student.

Debate over heritage vs nationality with no clear winner

Debate over American identity and cultural appropriation sparks controversy

OP gets called out for being insensitive to Italian culture

ESH but great grandparents don’t go as far back as you think ‍♂️

Defending cultural heritage: YTA for expecting people to forget it

Calling out fake Italian ancestry in America

NTA. Italian exchange student calls out fake Italian.

Calling out cultural insensitivity: NTA vs YTA perspectives

NTA for being offended, but let it go. ‍♀️

Understanding cultural appropriation: appreciation vs. appropriation explained

Embracing ethnic identity is good, NTA comment sparks discussion

Calling out cultural appropriation: Italian exchange student and Latin@s

Calling out ‘fake’ Italian identity: NTA wins the debate

Two annoying people in an Italian exchange program ‍♂️

Calling out cultural appropriation with a touch of politeness

Italian exchange student criticized for not speaking Italian fluently. NTA.

Comment praises calling out cultural appropriation in a respectful manner.

OP invalidates Italian heritage, YTA. Opportunity for cultural exchange missed.

Calling out cultural appropriation vs. heritage confusion

Ethnicity vs nationality and cultural appropriation in America

American claiming Italian culture, NTA calls out cultural appropriation

Culture clash: Commenter explains why ‘Italian’ means something different in the US

Standing up for your culture can be exhausting

Claiming one’s cultural heritage is not appropriation, it’s family.

Mixed heritage comment sparks identity discussion ‍

Calling out fake nationality confusion, NTA wins the argument

Commenter accuses Adam of trying too hard to prove ethnicity

Italian heritage ≠ Italian

Commenter defends against cultural appropriation accusation with personal experience.

Commenter accuses exchange student of cultural gatekeeping

Cultural identity debate sparks NAH vs YTA discussion

Commenter explains cultural differences and calls out YTA behavior.

Italian American defends student’s right to claim Italian heritage. YTA.

Debate over cultural appropriation in ancestral heritage. YTA called out.

Cultural identity in America vs Europe explained

Comment challenges hypocrisy of rejecting Italian heritage based on birthplace.

Commenter expresses frustration with subreddit judgment. ‍♀️

Defending American’s Italian heritage, YTA comment sparks debate.

Cultural differences in identity between US and Europe and Australia

Cultural differences in heritage perception between Europe and US

Cultural differences lead to misunderstanding. YTA for not understanding.

American claiming Italian culture without understanding it is NTA.

Italian culture identity debate sparks NTA response

Debate over Italian heritage vs culture gets heated

Commenter shares personal experience of keeping culture in America.

OP seeks Italian word for ‘gatekeeping’ in hilarious exchange.