lilminkey

I have been contemplating if I should post this message We just returned from a 24 day vacation to Italy, We were first timers to Italy and all the advice from eveyone helped. We were in Bellagio. Milan ,Venice Florence ,,Positano Rome, and many hilltowns in Tusany. I loved the natural beauty, but I felt uncomfortable,I thought for some reason the people were very cold towards us. I was questioned by many asking me what was my feelings of President Bush. I am sorry if I am a downer especially for the soon to be tourist, but I did get alot of cold stares.I know this topic is very delicate and mean no offense,but people who are shelling out thousands deserve to be alerted.Please let me say I did have a nice time and overlooked alot, oh by the way I could understand the comments they made to each other in Italian. Again please let me say I am not trying to be anything but honest.

scot1

i think that to a certain extent you must be prepared for this in europe - remember which countries do not want to be involved in iraq. but i think us europeans must also remember that not all americans agree with dubya....

LJ

I can't help but wonder what you said in response to the questions about George Bush to warrant the chill. Most Italians are not particularly passionate on the subject now that their troops (who suffered some sacrifices there in 2002) are out of Iraq. When Bush visited Rome a couple of years ago there wasn't even much in the way of demonstrations.

lilminkey

Lj, must I say I danced until my feet hurt!

saiguanas

I appreciate your post as I am planning a trip in April. This will be my second trip. My first was for 3 days in 2004. At that time I found my experience to be exactly the opposite from yours. I was hassled by customs because I arrived alone carying only an overnight bag. Once they found out that I was American military, everything changed. It went from "Why you no have more underwear?" to " Oh, U.S. Air Force? Have nice day!".

I also remember seeing signs that read "We will never forget the 11th".

I hope that my trip was more the norm than yours. The Romans did remind me a little of New Yorkers. Kind of abbrasive but in a warm kind of way. Just very open with their personalities. (Not to knock New Yorkers...I love youze guyz!)

ThinGorjus

Well, darling, you must remember that you were in the north of Italy where the people tend to be "cold." You were also in cities--Venice, Milan, and Florence--where people are naturally not as friendly as the citizens of small towns. I doubt if you would get smiles or friendly banter here on the streets of Philadelphia. (In fact, there is chance you could get mugged or even shot.) I never take other people's indifference to me personally. Just try and enjoy the scenery, food, shops, museums, and culture.

Was no one friendly towards you? I doubt every single person you met was chilly towards you. You know, I have traveled all over the world and I can count on one hand the amount of people who asked me anything about the American president (Clinton or Bush). How did people know you were American? Just wondering.

suze

My theory is people have natural attraction towards different places, I compare it to falling in love, it may not make sense but it is a strong feeling and may or may not have much logic behind it.

Certainly not everyone who visits cares for Italy. While some return annually. Some people hate Paris, some love it, some could care less. Amsterdam is a favorite while others find it dreary.

Maybe it is because you speak Italian that you were asked about the U.S. government?

Never, not once, in more than a few trips to Europe did a stranger ask me ANYthing, political or otherwise.

lilminkey

First must I say this happened in Positano which south of Naples, and happened in Rome, and Bellagio and also in Florence Iam not imagining anything nor am I paranoid.In fact I spoke to several locals and they said Americans are loud etc. I was wearing a baseball cap a sure give away darling.Just wondering are you really thin and gorjus..

bsm

Thin Gorjus- YOU NEED A REALITY CHECK OR NEED TO GO ON A DIET.

Budman

I spent 10 days in Tuscany last September. Everyone knew I was an American -- didn't hide the fact, but never flaunted it either. People were friendly, no politics, and we never got a cold shoulder. We had a wonderful time.

P.S. Italy is on our side.

Catbert

I have often been asked in Italy about Bush. When I responded, honestly, that I didn't vote for him people quickly became simpatico. Face it, he's not awfully popular in Europe.

lilminkey

Suze they did not know I spoke Italian and Iam not trying to disrespect anyone but I am over 50 a very street wise guy and it was PAINFULLY easy to read.I wore a sons of Italy shirt one day and the comments In Italian were discraceful.The shirt had both flags on it with the words proud to be an Italian american they said in Italian take his shirt and wrap the fish in it.Don't you think that hurt especially that I lost uncles on Anzio in WW2.

TuckH

On our recent three-week trip to Umbria, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast we had many, many friendly encounters with local people. (My wife speaks Ialian.)

I can't relate at all to what lilminkey has experienced, including the politics (although I would have welcomed the opportunity to deride our present president).

LadyOLeisure

So sorry your vacation experience was dampened by politics. I guess it is something we will need to be aware of while we've got such a divisive leadership in the US. I always try to stay clear of politics on vacation. There's no way to "win" a political argument.

OpusX

I am glad to say I had not one bad experience with anyone in our travels in Italy for two weeks in July. Nearly everyone was wonderful. Except, of course, for all the Italian men who tried to hit on my girlfriend.

wliwl

LJ;
Italian troops are not quite out of Iraq just yet. According to Reuters, they have pulled out 300 and 2900 remain as of Oct 17.

I don't think it is news that many Europeans are a bit p***ed off that we got them into that mess. And, I don't think it's news that a lot of Americans are pretty mad about it too. Just imagine if the tables were turned?

lilminkey

Budman Iam really happy you had a great time and in many ways I did,too.I just was looking so forward in returning from my families roots.I am 100% Italian and imagined Italy the way my father described it long ago. He was so proud of Italy and its people. My visit snapped me back to reality I guess?

maitaitom

No offense, but were you in the same Italy where we just spent three weeks? The only blank stares I got was when I couldn't get our car in reverse, but that was from my wife and friends. Sorry, your perception of Italy is far different than ours. We were treated friendly by everyone, and no one brought up politics.

lilminkey

The last thing on a vacation Iwanted to talk about Bush in fact Iam a sportsfan not in anyway a political guy .I have no interest in debating politics , but traveling without a tour we were in the midst of the everyday life of the Italian,and They sat talking politics at the cafe.I think this was fueled by a large socialist demosration that was going on that week.

HowardR

Don't overreact to the OP's comments. I don't question the honesty of his comments, but I will say that his experience is definitely the exception in Italy today.