I don't think there is an exact traslation for English cougar, the Italian tardona doesn't imply that the woman is dating a young man but only that she is old and behaves as if she's young (and actually she's ridiculous).
In some points, many foreigners can start feeling like some kind of aliens, especially when not speaking Italian.
But when it comes to relationships - people of this country (or should I say men?
Really, what's the point when on one side he has responsibilities and bills, and on the other one - loving mom who looks after him and never dares to say something like "you left your socks on the floor again, you didn't wash the dishes, and I'm sick and tired of football"? But at the same time, Italians are getting more and more curious about the world, other cultures.
There are some men who even refuse to date Italian women - by their own words, it's boring.
Plus, according to them, Italian women are hysterical and jealous (okay, let's pretend that men aren't). Strange way to choose a partner, I might say, but whatever.
Before coming to Italy, I thought most Italian men were arrogant and sticky.The term "tardona" is actually the term we would use whenever we see a mature woman with a younger man.Also: why would a mature person (man or woman) dress and behave like a younger person to look "more attractive" (as the dictionary says)?(Barbara d' Urso is probably a well known example)."Italians are so fun, open-minded and positive" - this is the first thought a newcomer can have. "They are more reserved than they seem", can one think after few months living in Italy.It must be added, however, that these same ex pats are madly in love with the city of Rome and rarely speak of that affair waning or leaving one unsated.