A simple Google search reveals how much the perception of Tuscans around Italy has changed. We've been described as "bad mannered", "mean" and "unfunny", a veritable U-turn from just 30 years ago, when our accent was considered charming and our penchant for making fun of everything was quite cool. Have we really changed or is this only a result of the success of Tuscan comedians like Roberto Benigni and his brand of over the top, manic, crass humour? According to many, this wave of ill will towards Tuscans has been caused by the fact that comedians only pointed on the most trivial, obnoxious stereotypes on our region. The worrying thing is that the success of this popular brand of humour has started a downward spiral towards vulgarity and general unpleasantness in the population as a whole. Maybe the question is a bit deeper, maybe our determination of poking fun of everyone and everything is a way to hide the fact that we're afraid to be left behind in this constantly changing world. Maybe the fact that we cling tight to the time when Tuscany was the economic powerhouse of Europe, our language was universally used in commerce and people traded with Florentine Florins is a way to cope with the belief that those times will never come back. Maybe it's something even deeper, the fact that we're not even sure of what being a Tuscan today really means. What is your take? Are we funny or just mean? Is it just the comedians or have we lost our way, being forced to describe ourselves just using the stereotypes promoted by media and advertising? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN)
https://www.vice.com/it/article/v7ga53/analisi-antipatia-per-i-toscani
https://italianintransito.com/2014/11/19/ma-i-toscani-son-tutti-delle-malelingue/
https://flanauchocolat.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/perche-e-difficile-vivere-con-un-toscano/comment-page-4/
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/2014/28-agosto-2014/irene-grandi-fiorentini-diffidenti-pensiamo-essere-migliori-siamo-23031210506.shtml
https://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/2005/02/06/LA9PO_JXX01.html
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/commento/ma-noi-toscani-siamo-simpatici-o-antipatici-1.5572939

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Snow Ticket
Author: Pipe Choir
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental