As a proud Catalan, I have long surrendered to the evidence - we living around the north-western shores of the Mediterranean, are the younger, poorer siblings, and Italy is the elder brother who inherited Daddy's estate in whole. We do we we can, but it's just never enough.
Discussion
I learned quickly to never address a Catalan as a Spaniard or as French when I was in that area.
Well, that's me. I accept the fact that most likely I'm in the minority though. It is what it is.