Sicilians get the rough treatment in Malta

Arabs, it seems, are not the only tourists being singled out for discrimination by the Maltese as bar and club operators claim that Italians, in particular Sicilians, had been the subject of disputes at Malta's nightlife centre this summer.

The sight of young Sicilian men carrying themselves with a Latin macho swagger, on the prowl for women, does not seem to be going down well with the Maltese.

But is it a misconception or have the Sicilians earned their notorious reputation?

According to Axis Discotheque manager Jean Borg Olivier they have well earned it, saying he could not understand the behaviour of Sicilian men. "It's like they've never seen a woman in their life. They're tactless. They have no respect and the way they approach girls is so blatant, irrespective of whether they're accompanied or not. Talking to girls is one thing - fondling is another," he said.

However, Mr Borg Olivier said his security people did not have prejudices against anybody.

On the contrary, Axis did its utmost to make them feel welcome to the extent that they regularly play Italian dance music in the summer months. But, Mr Borg Olivier added, the Sicilians could not be described as "good tourists".

"They buy a lemonade and share it between them. They are the only people who contest the entrance fee to our club," he said.

Still, Mr Borg Olivier said one had to draw a stark difference between the behaviour of Sicilians and Italians, the latter being sophisticated and "more subtle".

GRTU hospitality division president Philip Fenech, who runs BJ's club in Paceville, warned against making blanket statements.

He said there was always a sense of bias against certain foreigners, though Arabs and Sicilians seem to be singled out more than anyone else in Paceville.

"Italians in general are incredible at fuelling that party atmosphere but sometimes we bar owners have difficulty in trying to explain to them that selling drinks is our business. Sometimes they even walk into bars holding bottles bought elsewhere."

During night-time most men will try their luck at meeting new girls but while most foreigners would know when to draw the line, the Sicilians did not, according to Mr Fenech.

"Their opening lines leave much to be desired and they simply can't take no for an answer."

Mr Fenech said that the Maltese seem to flare up at once if their girlfriend is chatted up by a Sicilian rather than, say, a Briton.

Bouncers did a fine job in trying to keep order in an establishment but Mr Fenech admitted that some did act on impulse when Libyans and Sicilians were involved.

Natale Azzopardi, owner of Montrose bar and guest house, said that Paceville in August is taken over by Italians enjoying their ferragosto holidays and it was therefore important not to alienate them. And contrary to the past, Italians were good customers, he said.

Still, he added, he had seen at least four major fights in Paceville's St George's Road in August in which Sicilians were somewhat involved.

He said he believed certain bouncers were being heavy-handed with Italians, Sicilians in particular.

"While any Maltese causing trouble is given a yellow card, Italians seem to be given a red card at once, sometimes accompanied by blows," he added.

Mr Azzopardi agrees that the approach certain men adopted with regard to girls was unethical but added that he believed that most arguments were prompted by jealous Maltese boyfriends.

"It's no secret that the Sicilians are rowdy when on holiday, but aren't we Maltese equally noisy when we go abroad? We just have to be a little bit more patient. Yes, they are loud but there are means of telling them to quit it."

One bar owner who preferred to remain unnamed said he had seen bouncers of a particular establishment literally kick two Italians out of an establishment accompanied by a litany of Italian swear words telling them never to set foot on Malta again.