Italy is Too Dangerous
Mar 23rd, 2006, 04:44 PM
#21
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Selfishly, for affordable airfare to Europe, particularly Italy, please continue to disseminate this rubbish. This way, if enough people listen, the demand for hotels and summer airfares to Europe will go down thus allowing for affordable travel for those of us wishing to head for the airports.
I hope this wasn't posted to mock my question about traveling on July 4. I'm obviously not afraid of traveling, or of crowds. I'm a city girl.
I hope this wasn't posted to mock my question about traveling on July 4. I'm obviously not afraid of traveling, or of crowds. I'm a city girl.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 05:36 PM
#23
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I thought the State Departments warning was silly when I read about it.
But we went to Italy in 1978 when the Red Brigade was running rampart, they had just kidnapped the PM. Marches by various groups in Milan, some turned sort of violent but the police used tear gas not bullets. Quite a show actually. One doesn't want to get in the middle of demonstrations of course but the "warning" by our government is ridiculous IMO. All great responses, especially loved Cadillac's!
But we went to Italy in 1978 when the Red Brigade was running rampart, they had just kidnapped the PM. Marches by various groups in Milan, some turned sort of violent but the police used tear gas not bullets. Quite a show actually. One doesn't want to get in the middle of demonstrations of course but the "warning" by our government is ridiculous IMO. All great responses, especially loved Cadillac's!
Mar 23rd, 2006, 11:08 PM
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I remember, when I welcomed a group of visitors from the USA a couple of years ago on Amsterdam Airport. Since some months before, one of the extremely rare terrorist attacks in Europe had occured, the Americans had received special training how to behave in Europe. They were told "keep a low profile!".
However, I did not know anything about that. Instead, I waved a huge star-spangeled banner to greet my guests. A journalist among the group later wrote in an article about the incident: "So much for the low profile."
I have sometimes the impression that Americans tend to extremely exaggerate dangers. Yes, there are dangers. The probability to get struck by a lightning is a thousand times higher than to get attacked by terrorists. The probability to die because of a swallowed fishbone while travelling is ten thousand times higher than to get attacked by terrorists.
Since American tourists react very sensible to warnings issued by the government the Bush administration tends to use it in political affairs. I remember when there were tough negociations between the European Union and the USA on exports and tariffs, the US government issued two terror warnings just before Easter and thousands of American tourists cancelled their trips. Of course, nothing happened.
However, I did not know anything about that. Instead, I waved a huge star-spangeled banner to greet my guests. A journalist among the group later wrote in an article about the incident: "So much for the low profile."
I have sometimes the impression that Americans tend to extremely exaggerate dangers. Yes, there are dangers. The probability to get struck by a lightning is a thousand times higher than to get attacked by terrorists. The probability to die because of a swallowed fishbone while travelling is ten thousand times higher than to get attacked by terrorists.
Since American tourists react very sensible to warnings issued by the government the Bush administration tends to use it in political affairs. I remember when there were tough negociations between the European Union and the USA on exports and tariffs, the US government issued two terror warnings just before Easter and thousands of American tourists cancelled their trips. Of course, nothing happened.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 11:53 PM
#26
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Hi traveller, I remember those warnings last Easter but didn't realize a lot of people cancelled their trips. How sad, sigh.
Having been in the insurance business for ages one thing I can say it that insurance industry statistics always showed that more accidents happen in your home or within five miles of your home than anywhere else. More good reasons to keep travelling Fodorites!!!
Having been in the insurance business for ages one thing I can say it that insurance industry statistics always showed that more accidents happen in your home or within five miles of your home than anywhere else. More good reasons to keep travelling Fodorites!!!
Mar 24th, 2006, 05:41 AM
#27
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I read a book in high school that changed my life. It was <u>How to Lie With Statistics</u>, and it discussed about two-thirds of the probabilities that have been flung about in this thread.
First of all, the reason most accidents occur within five miles of the home is because that's where we spend the vast majority of our time. This is akin to the horrifying statistic that 39% of drivers involved in collisions are talking on cell phones at the time. Well, if I told you that 39% of <u>all</u> drivers are talking on cell phones at any given moment, would the collision statistic surprise you?
And all that stuff about fishbones and lightning <i>v.</i> being killed in a riot might as well be left unsaid, because they are totally meaningless. If you don't eat fish or live in a city where lightning is grounded by buildings or travel where there are riots, the statistics are skewed enormously in your favor.
Same thing with "driving to the airport is more dangerous than flying." Well, if you don't drive impaired or with someone who is, your chances of survival are greatly enhanced.
First of all, the reason most accidents occur within five miles of the home is because that's where we spend the vast majority of our time. This is akin to the horrifying statistic that 39% of drivers involved in collisions are talking on cell phones at the time. Well, if I told you that 39% of <u>all</u> drivers are talking on cell phones at any given moment, would the collision statistic surprise you?
And all that stuff about fishbones and lightning <i>v.</i> being killed in a riot might as well be left unsaid, because they are totally meaningless. If you don't eat fish or live in a city where lightning is grounded by buildings or travel where there are riots, the statistics are skewed enormously in your favor.
Same thing with "driving to the airport is more dangerous than flying." Well, if you don't drive impaired or with someone who is, your chances of survival are greatly enhanced.
Mar 24th, 2006, 06:36 AM
#29
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The existence of drivers doing stupid things is what establishes the baseline statistic. If you are <u>not</u> one of them, you are less likely to be involved in a collision. Period.
The fact that there are drunks using cell phones while driving is not relevant to my assertion.
The fact that there are drunks using cell phones while driving is not relevant to my assertion.
