Do the Italian men really bother a single woman?
#42
Join Date: Jan 2004
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I have never traveled to Italy by myself, but I have been a "victim" of the whistles and stares on occassion. The funny thing is that they would even do it when I was holding DH's hand! Honestly its nothing worse than I get at home, and I just continue walking and try to ignore it. It doesn't really bother me, and I do find it flattering, even if it is rather annoying and embarrassing.
Tracy
Tracy
#43
Join Date: Nov 2005
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I went to school in Florence when I was 21yrs old and I loved all the attention and complements I received. I must say it really boosted my self esteem. When I got home I wondered where all the people who called me "Bella" went. I never encountered anyone that was overly pushy or rude. They gave a complement and a little wink and went on. I'm sure if I followed after them it might have been different. Enjoy it.
#44
Join Date: Feb 2003
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My daughter just did a semester abroad in Paris; she and the friends who were with her are very attractive college girls. After numerous travels in Europe she reported little harassment in Italy and pronounced the French men
as the absolute worse in terms of being leering perverts!
as the absolute worse in terms of being leering perverts!
#45
My first time in Paris, a handsome older gentleman pinched my girlfriend just as we crossed the street. she never wanted to go to France again and we cut short the paris trip to return to London. Once I was with a Frenchman by the seine. His back to the stone steps leading up to the street. Something made me glance over his shoulder and there was guy masterbating, I screamed and the guy covered his face with his coat like dracula as he went up the stairs backwards and my friend screaming something at him. My latest incident was at a friend's home and his lawyer sat next to me at dinner. They had warned me he was a flirt. he kept leaning over me and talking in my ear til finally, I asked him if he wanted to eat or sit on my lap. He has behaved himself ever since, since my remark brought on applause.
#47
Join Date: May 2005
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You can find that kind of guys here in Spain..are called "exhibitionist". My cousin met one and she looked at him and just said "go and cover yourself, you're going to freeze" (it was in winter) and the guy run very afraid of her !!
#48
Join Date: May 2004
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Put on your dark sunglasses, walk with confidence, avoid direct eye contact and just ignore it. I've been traveling the world annually and alone...every continent except Antartica... since I was 17 and I'm 50 now. I'm female. Yeah, I had the situation with men in Italy, but nothing I couldn't handle. Happy Travels!
#49
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vivi, I think I have to agree with your daughter! DH and I were in Paris for the first time in November, and it was the only time that I was actually approached by a man. He wasn't really rude, but he wanted me to go to dinner with him and was a little pushy. I was waiting for DH and as soon as he came back the man left me alone. Nothing that I was nervous about, really, but definitely pushier than what I've experienced in Italy.
Tracy
Tracy
#50
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Well, after all is said and done..I'll be honest with you, except for the pinching which hurts, I's be loving every minute of it!!!!!!! LOL Ah, to be young again...NOT for all the "lessons" you have to go through, but to be able to wear fabulous shoes with 3" heels..oh yea!!! LOL
#53
Join Date: Feb 2005
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I once thought there would be some automated mechanism to censor certain words or posts, but it seems it's all edited (and read) manually. I posted a simple way to make all the ads disappear by editing the hosts file in windows.
It was removed instantly, so I thought there would be some "trigger" words. No, a Fodors editor is reading every word ;-). Have fun!

#60
Join Date: May 2005
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Latin countries in general have this problem. It's part of the warped mindset that comes with machismo. Men in such countries are happy to have quick fling in the toilets with a girl they hardly know, but if she asks for equal pay for equal work, their attitude changes.