io mi tocco i

[watermen]

I saw this news, I would like to know more about the culture behind it, would someone explain to me what this phrase really mean?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/27/italy1

[markystar]

hahahaha, i lived in rome for a year and i never saw people do this. or if i did, i didn't notice it.

is this a well known thing?

[roma55]

Ciao Markystar,

the culture behind it is that some males in Italy think that touching their intimate male parts (the fact the plural is used here gives you a clue of what they might be) brings them luck.

Needless to say, this is not an expression to use in polite circles!

Best

roma55

[marcom]

One could use more appropriate expressions as:
tocco ferro - I touch metal
when wanting to thwart bad luck.

Using "mi tocco i..." is really very rude.

ciao