But isn't the "surprise" a bit presumptuous, as well? Growing up in NY, the term 'guido' was always used to describe a pseudo-machismo/braggart/obnoxious/misogynistic asshole, a cock-of-the-walk type, it had nothing at all to do with race/ethnicity. Polish guys, black guys, Puerto Rican guys, Irish guys, etc. could (and did) all fit the moniker - it was always used to describe a general attitude/lifestyle and certainly not based on anything else, at least not when used by me or mine. (Mixed family/was raised by very liberal parents and older siblings, which might be a bit odd considering the old man was a WWII-era guy.)
Truth told, I wasn't even aware that the word was commonly used as a derogatory description of a specific sect of Italians until very recently, maybe because my family is filled with Italians and it was simply never even on my radar?
(shrugs)