by Francesca Di Meglio

This is the fourth in a series of stories called "Love, Italian Style." Occasionally, as part of this column, I will write articles to help you understand how Italian beliefs about dating, marriage and sex influence your life -- even if you live abroad and even as Italian attitudes about love evolve.

Men the world over have been hot for Italian women ever since Sophia Loren made her way from Pozzuoli to Hollywood. Screen sirens -- from Gina Lollobrigida to Monica Bellucci -- have been turning heads and giving Italian women the mystique and lore necessary to dominate man's thoughts. The Italian woman is every man's fantasy because she is sexy and nurturing, strong and vulnerable, serious and playful. Here, four ways to win her heart:

1. Tough on the outside, soft on the inside: ItaliansRus reader Jessy says that Italian women want their men to look masculine but have a passionate and caring heart. She lists singer Eros Ramazotti -- who is getting sexier and sexier as he ages -- as an example of the ideal man. He's stylish and strong (having survived a rather messy, public divorce). But he also sings romantic songs about love lost and gained.
2. He better be loyal and faithful: There might be many stereotypes about Italian men cheating on their women, but Italian women are not standing for it. They want a man who keeps his promises and sticks with one woman. Although living together has become more acceptable in modern Italy (just as it has elsewhere), Italians, who are predominantly Catholic, still believe in getting married. They may not be having as many babies as before, but even that might start to change as more stats emerge about the possible decline of the Italian people senza bambini.
3. Please her and she'll please you: Italian women want a man who's wild and free in the bedroom and they'll be happy to return the favor -- even if they play hard to get at first. “Their philosophy on sex may be to please their men in any way possible as to be pleased back in the same way,” says Jessy, an observer of the Italian lifestyle. “It is true that Italian men like to feel loved and pampered by their lady, therefore, I think that Italian women may live up to this also in their sex lives.”
4. Become her equal: The days of the woman carrying the burden of all the household responsibilities are over -- even in Italy. Today, more and more Italian women are going to school and entering the workforce, therefore, the men in their lives have to pick up a broom or cook a meal once in a while. If the stereotype of the chubby Italian mamma, who lived in the kitchen, was ever true, it's dead now. “That's a very old-fashioned concept of Italian women,” says ItaliansRus reader asainat. “Many women today have jobs and find that many Italian husbands help out their wives to maintain household order.” Amen!

Part 1: Does Your Love Life Make You More Italian?
Part 2: Old-Fashioned Romance Lives in Italy
Part 3: 5 Ways to Win Over an Italian Man
Part 5: Why I Fell in Love with an Italian Man
Part 6: How to Keep in Touch with Your Long Distance Love