It was interesting hearing this on tape. Though my Italian DNA is different...
PBS NewsHour: REPORT AIR DATE: Feb. 10, 2012
...most of the Italians, I'd say they like in their DNA that do not pay taxes.
On a 'black Coffee' economy vs 'Cappuccino' economy...
REPORT AIR DATE: Feb. 10, 2012
Italy: Amid Eurozone Crisis, 'Going the Greece Way' Would Be - PBS
[...]
MARGARET WARNER: And then there is Italy's high rate of corporate taxation. Combined taxes can run more than 50 percent. Stucchi and Maggi argue that's one reason Italian companies aren't as efficient as some foreign competitors. It also leads to tax evasion.
The reasons for the Italian sport of tax dodging has even deeper roots, Maggi says.
GIOVANNI MAGGI: I think maybe it was, you know, in the mentality of the Italians. I think that most of the Italians, they don't believe the state, and most of the Italians, I'd say they like in their DNA that do not pay taxes. But this one doesn't work, I think. So we must pay taxes if we want that our country will be able to survive.
MARGARET WARNER: Economist Boeri says the underground economy is so pervasive, an estimated 30 percent of total output, that it spawned its own vocabulary.
TITO BOERI: We have the black economy and the cappuccino economy. The cappuccino is . . .
MARGARET WARNER: What's the cappuccino economy?
TITO BOERI: The cappuccino is with some milk. No, it is a color that is less black.
MARGARET WARNER: So a restaurant might declare some of its receipts, but not all?
TITO BOERI: Exactly. This would be a cappuccino type of situation.
http://www.pbs.org/...
Geez. I do pay my taxes, I never
'felt' it in my Italian DNA.
So, are you a 'Cappuccino?'