I can almost see your point, Sonny. But the Italian-American community is just so unique that it almost can't be explained. Outsiders would call us pseudo-Italians. But Americans of Italian descent have created a subculture within an actual culture.

Now, at times, the differences between the subculture and the original culture can be extreme. But at other times, when people actually pour their hearts and souls into keeping their parents and grandparents customs alive, it can be both touching and beautiful. Christmas Eve is a good example.

Just like anything else, it depends on the individual. If you try too hard, you may come off as a cafone. But when the tradition is handed down properly, you'll come of as worldly.

Italian-Americans are the most unique of the hyphenated Americans. I don't know any other way to put it. Oh, I'd also like to add that I'm not sure how much gas it took, but I've been to more than a dozen countries.