Fun for the BOYS!!!! BOYS!!!!!!!
 

Well, let's try this again, shall we? I hope to get aws many responses to this post as my earlier one that was "hijacked"? ;)<BR><BR>I am taking two young men on their first trip to Italy. I'd like to know if there are any clubs appropriate for my outgoing, funloving, 17 & 18 year old sons. <BR><BR>Being rather ancient at 40, I am out of touch with what kids do in Europe. <BR><BR>I would very much appreciate any help you may offer. And, if you "hijack" this thread, you naughty women, well, well, I guess I'll laugh some more! <BR><BR>Thanks, everyone! Wish me luck! <BR><BR>BTW, my sons just bleached their hair blonde! They are rather large, well built kids, and now have this mound of blonde hair. Are they gonna be harassed? I wouldn't expect so, but, am interested in your thoughts. Be kind, please.... :)

Large, well-built, bleached-blonde American youths harassed by young girls in Italy...those poor boys...

Mom:<BR>I am glad you retained your sense of humor ;)<BR>No suggestions but I wish I was 18 again!

Annie, you naughty girl! It really was rather delightful, actually. :)<BR><BR>Dina, too funny! I was wondering about the harrassment from other BOYS, you wild woman! My only concern about the girls is their fathers! :lol The boys are fairly social. It would be great for them to meet other kids in Italy.<BR>I took my blonde daughter to Spain a couple of years ago. She received a lot of attention. It went well, however, with the exception of a group of gypsies who surrounded her and tried to free her of her belongings. I am hopeful my sons do not encounter anything worse. <BR><BR>Anyone? Thanks!<BR>

hijacked???????

So your two well built bleached blonde gay sons are looking for fun? I'm not sure if they will want you to accompany them to the gay bars. If they are as good looking as they sound, they will have no problem finding fun if they simply stand near a fountain and primp. They will find lots of playmates. Actually they are less likely to be harrassed for their gay image in Italy than they are in the US.

<BR>Where did you get the idea that these young men were gay?<BR>I got the impression that are young strapping good looking young men that their mom is taking care of!

Hmmm, no idea where the idea about the boys being gay came from. <BR>Clueless, you are on the right track. I just want my sons to have a great trip. <BR><BR>Thanks to anyone who can offer me ideas.<BR><BR>As far as the thread being "hijacked", I had the previous post where I had a typo where in my post heading I had typed in "buys", not boys. :lol<BR>Do you suppose this is where the idea of the boys being gay originated? :lol<BR><BR>C'mon, cut me some slack, ok? It's Friday! :)<BR><BR>

I'm sorry, I just guessed that if I saw two good looking "well built" guys with bleached blonde hair, I'd assume they were gay. Who else bleaches their hair blonde these days? And I thought your concern about their being harrassed meant that they were gay acting or gay looking. Why else would they be harrassed? Sorry, but I thought that was your point.

Bleaching the hair blonde -- all the kids are doing it these days. Actually, blonde is one of the more conservative colors.<BR><BR>Mom, where in Italy are you taking these boys? When we were there last year, along the Riveria coast we saw many teens hanging out together, riding scooters, etc. I'd guess if you were going to someplace where they could rent scooters for a day or two that would be loads of fun. Learning a few phrases of Italian would also probably go a long way to making friends.

Taking your sons to Italy and wondering what clubs they'd like? Hey, why weren't you MY mother?? :~)<BR><BR>Ancient at 40? Hah! Just wait until you see the Colosseum; it should make you feel like a kid. :~)<BR><BR>We never made it there, and I don't what the laws are in Italy vis-a-vis teens and clubs that serve alcohol, but it's my understanding that the neighborhood of Testaccio has a lot of clubs. <BR><BR>I also saw a Travel Channel show on Rome recently that mentioned a fun-looking place called Jonathan's (or Jonathan's Angels, mentioned on the website below.) <BR><BR>Here's a "Nightlife" website that may be of some assistance:<BR><BR>http://www.nettuno.it/electric-italy/metnight.html

(In the other post Mom said they were going to Rome and Venice.)<BR><BR>I'm well out of my teens so I can't say for sure, but this is what I think based on my experiences in Italy.<BR><BR>I don't know if there are clubs for teens there. There are "bars" though for everyone - which are not like American bars - think more like coffee bar with coffee, alcohol, and maybe gelato and light snacks. They are open to all but some of these may cater to and attract a younger crowd...and you'll know just by seeing who's inside. Also, people just gather in the piazzas and hang out in the evening. In Rome you are sure to find this at Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain for example. In Venice I know there are less touristy areas to hang out besides San Marco, but I don't remember the name. If your kids meet other kids during the day sightseeing or in the hotel they may also want to make plans to meet up with them in the evening or go exploring together another day. I did this all the time - but I was in my 20s and it was easier to find people around my age.<BR><BR>Now that I've said all this though, I also think, no offense intended, that if your 17 and 18 year old sons are outgoing and funloving as you say, don't spend time worrying about where they should go to have fun. They'll find it on their own.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

One other thing - if they are interested in meeting locals moreso than fellow tourists, they may have a better chance doing so in Trastevere.<BR><BR>Regarding the misunderstanding of seeming "gay"..... if your sons greeted each other kissing on the cheek and walked arm in arm around town - they may actually be mistaken Italian born good friends, rather than gay lovers.

Wow, what a fascinating assumption, that two well built teenagers with bleached blonde hair would be gay. <BR><BR>Guys -- straight guys -- have been doing a lot non-traditional things for quite some time now, whether it's coloring their hair, wearing earrings (or other body jewelry), and, in some cases, even painting their nails.

Capo, I've seen your nails. I noticed you did one hand in Bimini Blue, the other Grecian Gold. Very hip.

Merci, Dina. I love painting my nails, my screws and, in fact, all my fasteners. <BR><BR>

It's wonderful to sign on and see such great replies! Thank you all for the great advice! <BR>We will be staying near Piazza Navona and there should be opportunity for them to meet other kids. I love the idea of renting scooters. I can see the boys loving that! We will be in Venice and then Rome. I fear rental in Rome may be beyond us all...their traffic skills and my heart! :)<BR>I will look at Jonathan's and keep my eyes open for some other venues where teens gather.<BR>Thank you all so much! <BR>

I just want to warn you to be super careful on the scooters. My 21-year-old cousin was rear-ended and killed on a scooter in Rome.

Greta,<BR>I am so sorry to hear about your cousin! That's terrible! <BR>I wasn't very clear in my post. While I think the boys would love to use a scooter, I don't think their traffic skills in Rome would allow it. I am nervous with them driving a car, let alone a scooter in Rome. <BR>Thanks for the post, Greta. Again, condolences for the loss of your cousin.<BR>Mom

Dear Mom,<BR><BR>Because we teased you mercilessly on the other thread (but yet you took it in all in stride like a true champ!) and because you're so nice, I'm topping your thread in the hopes you get more great replies!!! : )