Tourists pass on Italian men

Rome - Italy's fabled "Latin lovers" are missing the mark with foreign belles, according to a poll released on Sunday, which said that nearly four in five women tourists were unmoved by Italian men's charms.

Seventy-nine percent said they would not fall for an Italian, with 51% saying they lacked cheerfulness and a sense of humour, while others complained that they were childish.

Another reason for the lack of attraction is that today's Italian men show more of their feminine than their masculine side, according to 57% of the 1 000 women polled by tourist and gastronomy magazine Vie del Gusto.

The most likely to make a woman's heart flutter were students, businessmen and holiday resort DJs and entertainers, the survey said.

But although not seen as dream partners, Italian men still won points for being gallant 78%, well-dressed 67% and attentive 59%, although 43% said they were not as athletic as they could be.

And seduction aside, Italian people in general continued to impress foreigners with their style 73%, charm 69%, friendliness 55% and politeness 51%.