How to avoid getting one's bottom pinched in Europe?
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Another non-issue from that profound thinker and world-traveller, Cindy. (What do you do all day? Sit at the computer and wonder how to get yet another inane tangent started?)
Bottom-pinching doesn't warrant a half-paragraph in even the most prudish and paranoid guidebooks -- just not an issue. I'd bet a month's salary that if you polled every woman returning from a trip to Italy, you'd maybe find 2 a week, maybe, who say they'd been pinched. Yes, they'd be young and pretty. Is this news?
And you silly girl, if you don't know how to fend off unwanted attention yet, you're going to have lots more problems than explanations. No, it's not about clothing, it's about judgment, attitude and common sense. If someone asked you how a European women could keep American men from hitting on her, I bet you'd have plenty of answers. Same deal.
Bottom-pinching doesn't warrant a half-paragraph in even the most prudish and paranoid guidebooks -- just not an issue. I'd bet a month's salary that if you polled every woman returning from a trip to Italy, you'd maybe find 2 a week, maybe, who say they'd been pinched. Yes, they'd be young and pretty. Is this news?
And you silly girl, if you don't know how to fend off unwanted attention yet, you're going to have lots more problems than explanations. No, it's not about clothing, it's about judgment, attitude and common sense. If someone asked you how a European women could keep American men from hitting on her, I bet you'd have plenty of answers. Same deal.
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
OK, I won't, s.fowler...or else I suppose I'd have to explain the bruises to my girlfriend. :~)
Your story about being confused about what the guy was trying to tell you reminded of this story, on the safety page at the romanhome.com website... (http://www.romanhomes.com/safety.htm)
By far, the most important measure is to be alert. Pickpockets consider "good clients" distracted or unaware persons, and conversely will not take the risk of robbing someone who is alert and wary. I remember a Japanese tourist with gypsy kids behind him trying to take his wallet from his back pocket, by the Spanish Steps. The Italians were shouting at him, waving their hands in an attempt to make him understand what was going on. The Japanese thought that the friendly Italians were greeting him, and waved back to reciprocate, without realizing that he was being robbed from behind.
Your story about being confused about what the guy was trying to tell you reminded of this story, on the safety page at the romanhome.com website... (http://www.romanhomes.com/safety.htm)
By far, the most important measure is to be alert. Pickpockets consider "good clients" distracted or unaware persons, and conversely will not take the risk of robbing someone who is alert and wary. I remember a Japanese tourist with gypsy kids behind him trying to take his wallet from his back pocket, by the Spanish Steps. The Italians were shouting at him, waving their hands in an attempt to make him understand what was going on. The Japanese thought that the friendly Italians were greeting him, and waved back to reciprocate, without realizing that he was being robbed from behind.
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
I'm with Nancy.
I'll never forget my dear, sweet, elderly, bony great-aunt proudly relating how her bottom got pinched.
When I was in Rome, 15 years ago, when I was prettier, thinner and obviously younger, I got tons of attention from the Italians.
Not going to happen this time, I am afraid.
Oh well, I'll just have to bury my sorrows in gelato.
I'll never forget my dear, sweet, elderly, bony great-aunt proudly relating how her bottom got pinched.
When I was in Rome, 15 years ago, when I was prettier, thinner and obviously younger, I got tons of attention from the Italians.
Not going to happen this time, I am afraid.
Oh well, I'll just have to bury my sorrows in gelato.
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hardly a "90s" thing, this is a "grand" old tradition going back a long while ... mainly in Southern Europe.
Gradually fading out and becoming more rare with time. Known in Rome/Italy as the 'mano di morte', and rarely a pinch.
Not so many years ago Julie and I were riding the bus, standing, across Rome. Julie felt a hand caressing her derriere. She thought, "How sweet; Ed's even affectionate on the bus." At about which point she glanced up ... to see both my hands on the overhead bar!
A bit old fashioned. A bit out of style. Decidedly chauvinistic.
twenj
Gradually fading out and becoming more rare with time. Known in Rome/Italy as the 'mano di morte', and rarely a pinch.
Not so many years ago Julie and I were riding the bus, standing, across Rome. Julie felt a hand caressing her derriere. She thought, "How sweet; Ed's even affectionate on the bus." At about which point she glanced up ... to see both my hands on the overhead bar!
A bit old fashioned. A bit out of style. Decidedly chauvinistic.
twenj
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hello,
Prior to moving to Italy for some studies, an Italian doctor friend of mine here in the States told me to expect some serious pinching to my bottom. Usually in public I dressed a bit more conservatively than I do at home (never wore shorts in public, just at home at the villa with the other "foreign" students), & while I must admit that much of the time I felt kind of like I was dressing like a nun, not too much pinching went on. As I'm an ultra fair-skinned blonde, I was often mistaken for an Englishwoman. One day just after exiting a bus in Florence, I did feel a pinch & wheeled around to see a man old enough to be my grandfather. All I could do was think that if he was able to remember why he would even WANT to pinch me, God bless him!
Cheers to all,
Kathy
Prior to moving to Italy for some studies, an Italian doctor friend of mine here in the States told me to expect some serious pinching to my bottom. Usually in public I dressed a bit more conservatively than I do at home (never wore shorts in public, just at home at the villa with the other "foreign" students), & while I must admit that much of the time I felt kind of like I was dressing like a nun, not too much pinching went on. As I'm an ultra fair-skinned blonde, I was often mistaken for an Englishwoman. One day just after exiting a bus in Florence, I did feel a pinch & wheeled around to see a man old enough to be my grandfather. All I could do was think that if he was able to remember why he would even WANT to pinch me, God bless him!
Cheers to all,
Kathy
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Cindy, my first wife got pinched a couple of times when we were in Rome many years ago. She was dressed nicely but not sexily. As I recall, one time was by the Spanish steps. She didn't have a bruses that lasted more than a day and they were so quik that as we turned around we had no idea who had done it. My understanding is thouth, that is not done near as much in more recent years. Have a great trip.
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
Grazie mille, s.fowler.
I'd consider it...as long as you don't have a 6'10" 250# husband or boyfriend nicknamed "Killer". :~)
Actually, it's been rather fascinating to me to see a few women here (although perhaps they're all joking) saying they wouldn't actually mind having a man -- Italian or otherwise -- give them a pinch petit. I've been on feminism boards where women seem to despise the idea of men looking at them, much less squeezing a posterior part of their anatomy between forefinger and thumb.
I'd consider it...as long as you don't have a 6'10" 250# husband or boyfriend nicknamed "Killer". :~)
Actually, it's been rather fascinating to me to see a few women here (although perhaps they're all joking) saying they wouldn't actually mind having a man -- Italian or otherwise -- give them a pinch petit. I've been on feminism boards where women seem to despise the idea of men looking at them, much less squeezing a posterior part of their anatomy between forefinger and thumb.
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Rent a Rottweiler. A Roman dog trainer has a fleet of big doggies trained to sniff out men on the make and to growl ferociously at those who dare to pinch or otherwise handle the client the dog is assigned to accompany. The only problem is that the dogs may not discriminate between wanted and unwanted touching unless they "bond" with the client for a long-term assignment. Therefore the dog rental is not recommended for women who may be meeing male friends.
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
My husband is only 6 ft and not named Killer So relax already Capo
I *am* a feminist and, depending on the context, can be pretty rabid But here we're talking about and playing with a "cultural practice." And there's no law that says a feminist can't have fun too
BTW I think I located the difference between "Rob...laid" and the "italian lover threads" I'll probably start a war here, but the later was asked inventively and with a certain humor. Rob just asked where he could get laid. But then women are more interested in quality than quantity anyway [Ooooohhhhh. flame away folks Maybe it will take our minds off the other stuff going on here...]
I *am* a feminist and, depending on the context, can be pretty rabid But here we're talking about and playing with a "cultural practice." And there's no law that says a feminist can't have fun too
BTW I think I located the difference between "Rob...laid" and the "italian lover threads" I'll probably start a war here, but the later was asked inventively and with a certain humor. Rob just asked where he could get laid. But then women are more interested in quality than quantity anyway [Ooooohhhhh. flame away folks Maybe it will take our minds off the other stuff going on here...]
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
Lisa and Capo,
I might be a fodorite, but I also have been a feminist for over 30 yrs.
We can be both!
Capo, if one had asked me this question 20-30 yrs ago, my answer would definitely be different.
I don't know about the other women who respond in the positive to such a sign of admiration,
But, it seems that after a specific age, (40?) we women start to become invisible to men.
A sign that I an noticed and appreciated as a woman would be delightful!
Pinch away!
(but gently)
I might be a fodorite, but I also have been a feminist for over 30 yrs.
We can be both!
Capo, if one had asked me this question 20-30 yrs ago, my answer would definitely be different.
I don't know about the other women who respond in the positive to such a sign of admiration,
But, it seems that after a specific age, (40?) we women start to become invisible to men.
A sign that I an noticed and appreciated as a woman would be delightful!
Pinch away!
(but gently)