I don't know why either, but it's absolutely true. I work at an Italian restaurant and all the owners (Italians themselves, obviously) are cocky sons of bitches. Not hair-slicking types, but they definitely think they're better and smarter than everyone else... and arguing with them, my God, logic is not a factor. They're right, nothing else matters except that they are right, end of story. I like a couple of them a lot, don't get me wrong, but there's definitely a superiority complex going on.
Oh, and to whoever said Italian food is overrated, it's all about the sauces man. Anyone can make pasta, but you make me a bolognese sauce that tastes half as good as they make it where I work and I'll kill someone for you. That being said, Chinese food is still the victor in every category of awesome.