“Italy’s tourism minister has demanded that Apple remove the ‘offensive’ What Country app from its online store after the travel guide described the Italy as the home of ‘pizza, the Mafia and scooters,'” Nick Squires reports for The Telegraph.
“The application, which can be downloaded to iPhones, iPads and iPods, characterises each nation with words and images; Italy is summed up with a road sign which reads ‘Mafia parking only,'” Squires reports. “Britain is characterised by ‘tea, weird sense of humour, football hooligans and rain,’ while Germany is summed up with ‘beer, discipline and autobahns.’ China is reduced to ‘overpopulation, kung fu, Great Wall, Tibet and tea ceremony,’ while the most defining characteristics of the US are ‘melting pot, hamburger and the American dream.'”
“The tourism minister, Michela Vittoria Brambilla, condemned the app as an affront to Italians’ dignity, describing it as ‘offensive and unacceptable,'” Squires reports. “She instructed government lawyers to take legal action against Apple and demanded that the application be removed from its iTunes online store. ‘Italy is a beacon in the world for its history, culture and style. I cannot allow our country to be discredited by having it represented by a criminal organisation,’ the minister said.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Makes us long for the days when people could laugh at themselves and government servants worried more about doing meaningful things than exploiting cheap political angles.
• When you’re writing these things, you’re in a room making each other laugh, you really have very little sense of political correctness or incorrectness. This is a question that Europe tends to ask and America doesn’t. – Mike Myers
• The notion of political correctness declares certain topics, certain expressions, even certain gestures, off-limits. What began as a crusade for civility has soured into a cause of conflict and even censorship. – George H. W. Bush
• Political Correctness doesn’t change us, it shuts us up. – Glenn Beck
• I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism. – P. D. James
• That’s not to say that I don’t find anything offensive. – Sarah Silverman
Disclaimer: One or more of the quotes above is intended to produce ironic reader feedback in light of the subject matter at hand.
“Italy is a beacon in the world for its history, culture and style”
History? Do you really want to get into WWII?
Italy history – When the world needed us most, we let you down.
I decided to buy the app after reading the article. LOL!
I decided to buy the app after reading the article. LOL!
The entry has since been edited to read:
“Mostly Harmless.”
The entry has since been edited to read:
“Mostly Harmless.”
I’m surprised that Espresso was not on there, or the worlds most unstable government. what is it now? Sixty governments since the second world war?
I’m surprised that Espresso was not on there, or the worlds most unstable government. what is it now? Sixty governments since the second world war?
Home of the “people who invented pasta by copying noodles”
Home of the “people who invented pasta by copying noodles”
Kinda sad. Maybe they don’t realize how much we love Pizza, romanticize riding through Italy on a scooter with a hot chick holding on to you, and just can’t get enough of the Mafia in media.
Kinda sad. Maybe they don’t realize how much we love Pizza, romanticize riding through Italy on a scooter with a hot chick holding on to you, and just can’t get enough of the Mafia in media.
“Disclaimer: Quote from a certain person included above as a test.
I’m guessing Glenn Beck, because he’s the biggest asshole of the bunch.
At first, the Bush quote threw me because it was so well articulated. But then I realized that it was NOT “W”, but rather his much smarter father.
OK, all of you Tea Baggers. Now you can start the flaming of this left wing radical.
“Disclaimer: Quote from a certain person included above as a test.
I’m guessing Glenn Beck, because he’s the biggest asshole of the bunch.
At first, the Bush quote threw me because it was so well articulated. But then I realized that it was NOT “W”, but rather his much smarter father.
OK, all of you Tea Baggers. Now you can start the flaming of this left wing radical.
Since when has Italy joined the Taliban?
Since when has Italy joined the Taliban?
I think it’s all fine accept that the american isn’t laughing at himself so he has no right to call others on their stereotypes.
How about America the land of gun toting, fat, rude people.
I think it’s all fine accept that the american isn’t laughing at himself so he has no right to call others on their stereotypes.
How about America the land of gun toting, fat, rude people.
Well, obviously the take is a complete crock, esp. Glenn Beck. Nothing, not concern for others feelings, and esp. not even actual facts and truth, shuts up Glenn Beck and his minions. I guess I’ve got to abandon MDN now that it is just one more right wing neo-con mouthpiece.
Well, obviously the take is a complete crock, esp. Glenn Beck. Nothing, not concern for others feelings, and esp. not even actual facts and truth, shuts up Glenn Beck and his minions. I guess I’ve got to abandon MDN now that it is just one more right wing neo-con mouthpiece.
Ludicrous!
Does the truth hurt?
It is what it is, and it’s free speech to say so.
Ludicrous!
Does the truth hurt?
It is what it is, and it’s free speech to say so.
WOW. It’s amazing to see America’s oversensitivity has actually spread abroad. I though political correctness was a uniquely american trait, but I guess not.
This is the shit that p*sses me off. The app is obviously poking fun at stereotypes – granted they were a bit generous with america, but it wasn’t designed to be cruel toward any one culture. Why can’t people have a sense of humor about their own culture instead of assuming everyone is out to be an ass h*le about everything?
WOW. It’s amazing to see America’s oversensitivity has actually spread abroad. I though political correctness was a uniquely american trait, but I guess not.
This is the shit that p*sses me off. The app is obviously poking fun at stereotypes – granted they were a bit generous with america, but it wasn’t designed to be cruel toward any one culture. Why can’t people have a sense of humor about their own culture instead of assuming everyone is out to be an ass h*le about everything?
LOL. Touché.
LOL. Touché.