1. Try to compare us to the French.
Italians appreciate and hold in high regards a lot of the same aspects of life as the French, but we are very different. We both value culture, are naturally elegant, and love and have good food. But we fiercely compete on who has the most defining moments in art history, the best red wine or the best cheese. Italians are very proud of our unique traits and are positive we express them better.
And yes, Napoleon stole our art. Because he was jealous.