Originally Posted by DasProfezzional
If it's English, I learnt a nifty way of remembering. For pedals, remember "Back off." All pedals are reverse threaded on the left side, so if you turn either towards the rear wheel, it will come off. With English threaded cups, it's the exact opposite, "back on." So, when installing, turn both towards the back of the bike.
This is exactly how I remember it too.
Also, French BB's are messed up in the same way as Italian ones, both are lefty-loosey.