Italian men go from Lothario to loser

The image of Italian men as smooth-talking Lotharios who prey on female tourists has been shattered.

According to a poll in magazine Riza Psicosomatica, the average Italian man is deeply insecure and too shy to chat anyone up.

"This summer on the beach, he will sit alone, protected by sunglasses, isolated from the rest of the world," said the magazine.

"Instead of being confident, the modern Italian man will be in a fever of embarrassment and insecurity."