re: Traveling abroad - do they hate us

Commenting on the food rather than the discussion of the way people are treated, which varies extremely widely.

Italian food as you imagine it, does not exist. Italian cuisine as the Italians have eaten it for centuries, does; it varies significantly, and has diverged more broadly from its American Italian cousins, for a variety of reasons-- from the availability and pricing of ingredients, to the Americanization of taste buds from second, third, etc generations who have never had the baseline experience of growing up with Italian food.

You can go and order a hundred different pasta options, but they're never going to be anything like a souped up version of your American oriented tastes. The food won't be as sweet or as cheesy, or as sharply saucy.

There will be a surplus of seafood, of oils and the use of fresh vegetables. Condiments beyond olive oil and some dry seasoning are relatively uncommon. Garlic isn't a staple, but an accessory used to enhance *some* foods.

Some people like traditional Italian food better. I generally do, but American Italian has a special place in my heart for its sharper, more warming fare.

When it comes to Pizza, the Italian version is not that good. I enjoy a pizza magherita or pizza marinara as much as anyone can, but it is simple and painfully plain. It isn't what I expect or want out of a quality pizza, but is a slice of the history of the food that is pleasant enough. Just frame your expectations accordingly and reasonably. You aren't getting 8 toppings or three cheeses.