Obviously the American mafia originated and had ties to Italy during their time, but did those who remained in Italy see them as lesser crime bosses? Were the Americans different in any way? Did both sides share respect for one another?
Both sides did in fact have mutual respect for one another. They were seen as equal bosses unless one was proclaimed "Capo di tutti capi" (the boss of all bosses) on either side. Many Mob families were (are) in business with one another on an international scale.