Just me, or have others been on the receiving end of rude behavior in Italy?
 

I have just returned from a week in Italy (Venice and Florence)and we were a little shocked by some rude behavior of shopkeepers, waiters, and citizens in general. First, I want to say that we do speak a little Italian, not fluent but certainly enough to order a meal and purchase tickets. We always spoke Italian first and then only English after our sign language failed and when we didn't know a certain word. We were never rude or demanding, and always waited patiently in line. Several times we were made to wait while other Italians jumped ahead of us in line (whether it be at a shop or ordering a cappuccino) I don't think they understand the concept of waiting. Don't even get me started about restaurants. One evening in the Piazza near the Uffizi we walked away from 2 restaurants - after being seated. The first we were beginning to order our meal: first though pane, Acqua - no gas. The waiter then said in English "Need to order all at one time. We said "Si, si," because we were then just about to order the antipasti when he then just walked away. The second restaurant, several yards away was completely empty (not a good sign)except for what looked like an American or European coulple. They had not been served nor did they have menus. After we were waved to a table, we sat down and waited for 5 minutes. The restaurant was filled with 5 or 6 waitstaff who were all seated at tables, talking, reading, etc. In other words, not serving the patrons. I'm not sure if the citizens are just tired of tourists - especially during the busy summer months, but this was beyond rude. Aren't the tourists their bread and butter? I know there are some very nice people in Italy because we met them at our last hotel there in Florence - The Allesandro near the Ponte Vecchio. Oh and the one taxi that we took and were completely robbed. I had lost the map of Florence and when we got out of the train station we didn't know how to get to our hotel and didn't want to hassle. Little did we know we were only 2 blocks away but we paid 15,000 before we knew what hit us. I was aware of taxis in Italy but with his smile as he took our money I knew we had the words sucker all over us. I loved my trip but this did put a bad taste in my mouth.

Hi Eva, <BR>I would never say "it's just you" but <BR>I went to Florence and Venice for the first time last fall and experienced none of the unpleasantness you described. <BR>My only explanation would be that you had bad luck indeed. <BR>

Hi Eva, <BR>I would never say "it's just you" but <BR>I went to Florence and Venice for the first time last fall and experienced none of the unpleasantness you described. <BR>My only explanation would be that you had bad luck indeed. <BR>

Scroll down to the ITALY WARNING posting. You are not alone.

I think your first mistake was waiting patiently in line. You have to figue out the procedure to get what you're after, approach and seize your chance. What you see as being polite is what some (most?) Italians see as being slow. Italians understand enough about waiting to know that they don't like to do it. I agree that people who are less patient will go ahead of you, and they may even push you a little in crowds. "The restaurant was filled with 5 or 6 waitstaff who were all seated at tables, talking, reading, etc. In other words, not serving the patrons." In other words, not yet ready to serve? It sounds to me as if the staff had just finished their own meals. They could have made you stand outside until they were ready to serve you -- would that have been more polite? So you walked out; ultimately, your most effective weapon against what you perceive as rudeness is to deny 'em the almighty dollar (which may turn out not to be so almighty after all). "Oh and the one taxi that we took and were completely robbed....we didn't know how to get to our hotel and didn't want to hassle." In other words, you make a purchase that you later decided was foolish -- this is robbery? Cabbies don't give directions or advice, they take fares. For all your driver knew, you had just turned your ankle and couldn't walk 2 blocks. If the driver had refused to take you to your destination, how upset would you have been?

Eva, London and Rome are at the top of my list of cities where the locals exhibited the rudest behavior (and I spoke the language in both cities). However, once away from these cities, the local people were considerably nicer, specially in Italy.

Margaret Washington I have saved your email address so I can ask you for tips on travelling in the future as I'm sure you have no trouble travelling anywhere. If a restaurant isn't ready to serve it shouldn't be open. While the other restaurants next to them were packed they were empty - for a reason and we should have skipped it, The vulgar up and down look from one of the waiters was another reason to run. Should we have waited to be served at their convenience and get further lousy service. Lucky for them that service is included in the bill so they can treat you however they like. Also I do consider a taxi driver who says it takes 15,000 ($7) to go two blocks robbery.

Maira, <BR> <BR>Londoners rude? How odd. I've been fortunate enough to visit London several times and have always been amazed at the politeness of the people I encountered. In general, it doesn't seem to be the British "style" to be as "outgoing" in public as we Americans tend to be--I don't see that as positive or negative, just a difference. But polite and courteous to a fault, that was my experience with Londoners. From the three guys off on some scavenger hunt who stopped without being asked to help us get my dad's wheelchair over a high curb cut, to the drunks outside a pub (not usually a "polite" group of people) who yanked each other off the sidewalk to make way for us, to the incredibly thoughtful gentleman who found room at a table for me when it was SRO at Ronnie Scott's--I could go on. <BR> <BR>Big cities, in general, may seem less welcoming if one is not used to them...people tend to be busier, probably a bit more self-protective. But the last thing I would ever say of London is that its residents are rude. <BR>

Gina, I lived and worked in New York City on my 20's. I know what big cities and rude behavior are like. Glad to hear you had a different impression from mine on Londoners. That only means there is hope....

I agree with the earlier posts that associated the rude behavior with the cities you were in--particularly Florence. During my trip, Florence was a bit disappointing, largely because of the people. I encountered no rudeness in Venice, but noticed that the locals are a bit reserved. However, the friendliness I encountered in smaller towns such as Assisi, Gubbio, Deruta, Orvieto, Spoleto, etc. more than outweighed any rudeness in the bigger cities to the North.

On our trip to Italy, we skied in Cortina, then visited Venice, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, and Rome. We had one cranky shuttle bus driver in Cortina (have to assume it was a LONG season) and one snotty shop keeper (in a fur store, where she belonged). Other than that we had people everywhere go far out of their way to help us, talk to us, exchange addresses, tell us about their families and jobs, etc. In the smaller towns on the coast and even in Rome during morning rush hour, people who spoke no english at all made sure we got on the right bus. We had no problems with pickpockets, gypsies or anyone. All our waiters in every ristorante were friendly and patient with our limited Italian. Sorry you seemed to have bad luck, but my experience was the total opposite!

It appears Italy has not changed. In 1984 we were warned about Parisiennes and found that if we tried to speak even the smallest amount of French they were really great. The same could not be said for Italians, especially in Florence and Rome. Capri was the exception, the people were wonderful. As a result of the rudeness and impatients of Italy we have not been back to Italy on our trips. However, we are going to Venice this month so I was hoping things were better. Obviously from the responses above you were not alone. It is also interesting that in requesting data from the tourist boards of 6 different countries that Italy's was the least helpful!

I loved Venice back four years ago when I went but they were very mean to us too. Downright nasty! We were there in the end of September and we assumed that they had had enough of tourists. Coming from NYC, we are not hesitant and were careful about not being pushy. We spoke only italian everywhere but not fluent and still in the shops and restaurants down right mean. We are not in a rush to get back there soon.

I don't want to make excuses for anyone being rude, but perhaps the Italians are a bit annoyed at American culture encroaching upon their society. <BR> <BR>Because of a strong US economy and low relative travel costs (it is often cheaper to fly from New York to Europe than to the west coast!) mean that Italians hear more and more American-dialect English being spoken in their own country. Almost the entire Internet is in English. If Italians don't readily speak English, then they are subject to losing money (in the form of tourist business from Americans), and they will not benefit from the technology of the Internet. Perhaps they resent this. <BR> <BR>American fast food chains and other chain stores are proliferating in Italy. The last time I was in Venice, two of the very first things I saw after stepping off the vaporetto were McDonalds and The Disney Store. Also I recently read in the New York Times that Dunkin Donuts has opened a store in Rome, steps away from the Trevvi Fountain. The next time you take pictures there, you might see a purple and orange Dunkin Donuts sign in the background. Even though these chain stores and restaurants might not exist in Italy if the Italians themselves didn't flock to them in droves, they remain a symbol of American culture. <BR> <BR>I have noticed that almost all of the posts in this thread describing rudeness are using examples from northern Italian cities. Coldness has long been a perceived characteristic of northern Italian people, whether justified or not. <BR> <BR> <BR>Don't get me wrong, I am not justifying anyone being rude--it is indefensible. But I am interested in finding out why this is happening. And by all means, if you do not feel you are being treated properly, you absolutely should not spend your hard-earned money in these areas. <BR> <BR>Finally, let me point one more thing out: the French have a reputation of being cold and snobby. However, I read a few years ago that France receives more foreign tourists than any country on earth! Does that mean that visitors enjoy spending their vacations where people are rude? Or does it mean that the rudeness is a reaction to throngs of unwanted visitors, and the visitors do not stop coming as a result of the rudeness?

About the 15,000 lire taxi ride: In many Italian cities there are a number of completely legal surcharges for, e.g., each piece of luggage, riding on Sunday, and who knows what else. Plus, in many if not most cities, both in Europe and the U.S., there's a minimum "flag drop" charge at the outset, regardless of distance/time travelled. It may be that the taxi driver took advantage of this confusion of surcharges to overcharge, or it may be that he actually did not overcharge at all.

We travel to Europe 2 or 3 times a year and have done so for over 15 years. I dred going to Italy and will try to avoid it even if my wife insists. The rudeness consists of pickpockets, taxi gouging, cheating waiters, among others. this applies mostly to Rome. true there are wonderful things to see and do in Italy. But after the trips we took, I think it is enough. However...I do like the Perillo Tour Off the Beaten Track.

We travel to Europe 2 or 3 times a year and have done so for over 15 years. I dred going to Italy and will try to avoid it even if my wife insists. The rudeness consists of pickpockets, taxi gouging, cheating waiters, among others. this applies mostly to Rome. true there are wonderful things to see and do in Italy. But after the trips we took, I think it is enough. However...I do like the Perillo Tour Off the Beaten Track.

Why is it that when one complains of problems in a foreign country, people rush to the defense of the locals implying that people like Eva did something wrong. Italians, French, Brits etc. are no better or worse than America or any other country. there are great people everywhere and there are rude people everywhere. We have been to Venice and Rome twice. We have found wonderful people and ripoffs. We were grossly overcharged by taxis and were obviously suckered on a couple of occassions. We have had great service and bad service. But we had a great time and chalked the bad incdients up to experience. Each time we learn and it makes our other trips even better.

I was in Rome and Florence last December. I loved both but I found Romans, on the whole to be pretty rude. I had some wonderful experiences in restaurants but outside of that, from taxi drivers to ticket agents at the train station, to polizia, the people were generally unhelpful -- and I speak a little of the language. Some of it is just the culture, I think. Rome is a big city where everyone seems to be impatient and in a hurry -- not unlike New York. Florence, which is smaller and has a more intimate feel, had much warmer and more engaging people in my experience. <BR> <BR>That being said I would return to Rome in a heartbeat. But I'd stay for a couple days rather than a couple weeks.

I spent 10 days in Northern Italy in 1997, and found people to be friendly and helpful. If you travel enough and eat in restaurants enough, even here in the States, you are bound to find rude, unethical people. If you want to be guaranteed a smile on every face you'll have to go to Disneyland.

Eva, your response to me simply proves my caution in giving my e-mail address is warranted. What did I say that made you respond so -- dare I say it? -- rudely? "Yes, you're right, Eva, some Italians don't wait their turn"? (I guess you don't want to consider cultural differences.) "If they didn't want to serve you, all you can do is walk out"? (Excuse me, but I thought that someone who orders "bread" might not realize that the waiters often eat in the restaurant before dinner service begins. OK, you've convinced me, you *should* have been locked out of the place.) "You owed the cabbie the fare"? (OK, I'll take your word for it, L15000 is too high for a 2-block cab ride; so what should the fare have been? Don't forget surcharges for time of day, a second passenger, pickup at the train station, luggage -- so, how much did the cabbie rob from you? BTW, in DC, a 2-block ride can cost more than a 10-block ride.) Eva, we all have difficulties in travelling, but we aren't helped in coping by imagining that those unruly natives are out to get us.

I *adore* Italy myself. Never have had any problems there and I've been there many, many times. Venice is my favorite city in the world. I have found people there very friendly and have often had long conversations in the streets with various local dog owners or long talks with shop keepers and hotel managers. I speak fluent Italian but I think it's even more that I *smile* at people and am friendly to them. You get back what you give out.

Yes, Juan, nobody has ever been unfairly treated; and if they have is because they were looking for it. Sure...and I am sure the Jewish holocaust never happened either.

For once, it's not the French who are getting ripped a new one.. <BR>Big cities breed contemptible people (more so than smaller cities) but some citizens buck the trend: I've been ripped off in NYC, and I've had a nice shopkeeper take care of me when I had a bad case of the dizzies. In London, I had really crummy service in a Chinese restaurant, and I've had a restaurant open up a few minutes early 'cause it was pouring rain while we waited outside the door. In Paris, well, I could go on - but I've had a waiter pour a little extra wine into the glass "'cause the bottle was almost empty", and a shopkeeper run next door to get someone who could speak English (leaving me alone in her store) because my French wasn't up to snuff. In Bergerac, the clerk in the train station told us there was no way to get to Perigueux without going to Paris first; a while later (so the other guy didn't see), another clerk came over and told us which train to take to go directly to Perigueux. In Milan, we were accosted by pickpocket/beggars and ignored in a restaurant, and then made a fuss over in a small restaurant near the canal because we were Americans and Americans never had been in the restaurant. In San Francisco, I've been cheated by a shopkeeper and I've had a cabbie tell me to walk the block or so, that I really didn't need a cab (he was right). I chalk up rude to big cities; having lived in Boston for a several years, and now having lived in the glorious Southwest, I know my attitudes have changed dramatically. <BR>And, just like the Soup Nazi's "no soup for you one year", the Traveling Loons have "no tarts for you". Long, not-funny-at-the-time-but-now-a-scream story from - you guessed it - Paris.

Elvira reminded me of an experience in Prague when I experienced "no cab for you" from the "taxi Nazis" at the train station. Made the decision easier to make. I found out how to use the tram and literally saved a bundle. Turned out my hotel was also much closer than I had thought. <BR> <BR>I agree with others that you can probably attribute the attitudes you experienced to being in a big city. Still, there are many nice and helpful people in cities too.

Why is it that big cities always get the blame, as if somehow they breed ruder individuals. My grandmother lives in the Bronx, NYC, and I've met and come in contact with some of the nicest, most genuine people, you'd ever want to meet. I've also been treated extremely rude while visiting a small town in North Carolina. What does this mean? It means, that people, are people. I don't believe that a area or region, or country breeds rude people. I think it can temper ones personality and attitude, but again, that is a generalization. My husband is from Tuscany, and we've met some real characters. Yes, some people in Italy are rude, indifferent, etc., but some are fabulous. It depends on the situation, as always. I've been to many shops, restuarants, etc. in Italy and people bend over backwards for you, I've also been to those places where they could care less, and in that case, I take my money elsewhere. But unfortunately, people being people, you cannot control this behavior in italy or anywhere else. Maybe while we're discussing this, we should look at how people in this country (USA) not only treat each other, but also any visitors we might have. I was at Haagen-Daz the other day, and I ordered an ice cream. First, the kid behind the counter never even acknowledged me, gave me an incredibly small scoop at $2.95 each, and never bothered to say thank you or anything. For $2.95 I deserve a thank-you. I won't go back. If someone is rude to you, I've learned, hit them where it counts. And it is true about Italians cutting in line, etc., even my husband can't believe it and he gets mad. Try not to let it bother you.

Zoey, I don't think that most of the people who responded are saying, "Eva did something wrong." In response to what I interpreted as Eva's sincere request for comment, I'm saying, "Abroad is Different." Of course, it's right, proper and just to wait your turn. Eva put her finger on a difference in conduct; I simply proposed an explanation other than Eva's claim that Italians "don't understand the concept of waiting." Eva can try to teach them through example, or (as I advised) she can edge forward and seize her chance. It's not pleasant to be denied service -- assuming that you've arrived at the restaurant between the opening and last order times -- but what can you do besides shrug it off and walk away? On our last trip to Venice we tried to enter an old favorite of ours for lunch, but were asked by the proprietor to come back later, because she was expecting workers to come for their meals at that time of day. (Tell *her* who her bread and butter is.) We believed what she told us (were we suckers?) but we regretfully decided to go elsewhere. We were sorry we couldn't eat at a place so loyal to its regulars -- one of the signs of a good restaurant. I almost never take taxis, but I don't blame the driver if I don't trouble myself to learn the fare structure ahead of time, and before I'd cry "robbery" over the equivalent of $8.33, I'd try to find out what a fair fare would have been. No doubt tourists are cruelly abused at times, but we should at least consider the possibility that we could get rid of that bad taste in our mouths if we just pulled out our thumbs.

Hey I like that line! "we could get rid of that bad taste in our mouths if we just pulled out our thumbs." <BR> <BR>That says a lot. Lest we insert our own foot where the thumb was. <BR> <BR>If Italy sucks so bad, stop going there instead of trying to change their culture. If you feel mistreated, don't spend your money there. The rest of us would like for Italy to be less crowded when we visit.

I just can't resist joining in the "kafuffle." My husband and I consider ourselves Italophiles. We've been in and out of Italy since 1972. My husband lost his wallet to a very clever pick-pocket on a train. A very well dressed pick-pocket tried to take my wallet in the vegetable market in Torino. I felt his hand under my arm, as he reached for what was actually my key case in an outside pocket of my purse and elbowed him out of the way, looked him in the eye and yelled to the entire market place in English, "this S.___of a B._____ is trying to pick my pocket!" I was astounded at all the knowing smiles from the vendors around me. He just smiled at me, bowed and went on his way. I've been stopped by the "Lollypop cops" for running a yellow light when locals breeze red lights. He just wanted to visit with the obviously American lady. We've been treated royally and roughly in restaurants. Most of is is just funny. I think it really depends on your and their digestion that particular day. They have a cure for that in most places: order a "digestivo." Hold your nose when you drink it. I think in general the shops are so strange to Americans because they really are accustomed to serving rather than our "help-yourself" style. Then, if you don't speak pretty fluent Italian, you can be ignored, because, I think, they are as uncomfortable as we are. My favorite spots for shopping are Rinaschente department store and for less expensive, Standa. A rather up scale 5 & 10. <BR> <BR>Impatience is not limited to Italians. My son-in-law absolutely refuses to stand in a line. That has some interesting ramifications. Eva, I'd love to tell you it won't happen again, but I'd also like to suggest that you go again. Try to stay a little longer and I'll bet this time you'll feel more comfortable and begin to find some of those really nice, helpful people you've been reading about. Good luck.

Eva, <BR>I enjoy the slower pace of dining in Italy, but there were times that the service seemed a bit better for the Italians at nearby tables. The funny thing is that tourists are expected to tip (above the standard coverage charge) while Italians are not. (At least that is what several guidebooks said - maybe they were wrong.) After a week of getting both excellent and poor service I decided that I was not going to tip 10% extra unless the service warranted it. The waiters there definitely did not work for tips only, as US waiters do, so they were not always as eager to make you happy. But the food is so good there...

On our recent trip to Europe, we had a variety of experiences with people--awful to great. On the awful side, our reservations were not honored in a SMALL town in France even though the innkeepers had promised by phone and e-mail that the rooms would be kept late for us since we were driving from Belgium. This was during the solar eclipse and there were no other rooms available for 200km. He was very disagreeable--rude actually. But, as a US traveler, I expected a hotel with a web-site to be open late. (don't ask me why--just a silly assumption) I had tried to call to let him know we had been delayed, but again as a novice traveler did not know how to operate the pay phone yet. We ended up experiencing a horrible night trying to find rooms; driving through France and Germany in the rain, getting lost in the countryside. I could have entirely blamed the innkeeper for this experience, but I think I own some of the blame. (I did make suggestions via his web site after our return to include information about the latest times guests can check in---and a few others) <BR>But on the great side after driving all night to Switzerland,a waitress in Interlaken convinced the cook to open for breakfast at 5:30am so we could eat and the hotel owners at our nex stop let us into our rooms early so we could sleep. In Italy a waitress walked me to a hairdresser's shop so I could have my hair done, the landlady of our apartment invited us up to her apartment for vin santo and a very special cake that is only made in Siena. In Brussels a shopkeeper left his shop to get someone to help us with directions to a bed and breakfast; a customer at a gas station piloted us through the maze of tiny streets in Brussels out to the freeway; a music store owner in a smaller city drove 30 km to his shop on SUNDAY to sell my son the guitar of his dreams. He also helped us find a very nice hotel. <BR>Had we focused on the experiences we felt were rude or otherwise disagreeable , I think our overall experience would have been less than wonderful. <BR> <BR>I agree that anytime we have a negative experience with people, it does leave a bad taste in our mouths; especially if we were not expecting it or feel we didn't deserve the treatment we got. I sympathize with you, Eva. We have chalked our negative experience up to "experience" and will not let that deter us from travel to cities or small towns in France, Italy or the USA. I hope your will, too.

I am sure that many of us Americans who have travelled to many cities in Europe has experienced little problems because we assume things would be one way and find something different. But I think the point is the "rude" behavior in "Italy" as first posted. Speaking for myself only, I have been to many cities in Europe over the past 15 years several specific ones many times. I have found instances where people were rude or mean all over including here in New York City. But I must agree with Eva, in that my husband and myself were treated bad on several occassions in Venice over a three day period. Again, I assume that it was the end of the tourist season and they had had enough of tourists. But I think some of the well travelled people on this forum know the difference between situations that happen (setbacks) and the people being rude, nasty and mean.

Eva, I am glad you posted. My husband and I visited Turkey and Italy last year and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The Turks were wonderful people, the Romans likewise, the Tuscans RUDE, the Venetians lovely. <BR>I loved Tuscany and hope to return, but was totally put off by the local shopkeepers and waiters. It seemed that while they seemd not to wantto assist, but they certainly were eager to take our money. A lady in a ceramics shop was horrid, and the local salesman behind the deli counter in the supermarket deserved the award for Rudest Italian in Tuscany. The service was another complaint we had, but when in Rome do as.......... <BR>None of this would be acceptable in Australian retail outlets. <BR> We allowed none of this to ruin our holiday, in fact it did the opposite, we went to see what they were like. <BR>

I ignored this message when I first saw it a few weeks ago, thinking it was just another example of people stereotyping people (like we often do to the Parisians). After all, I went to Italy in 1997 and had a great time and liked the people, for the most part. <BR> <BR>However, I just came back from a 9-day stay (keep in mind that I was in NYC for several days the week before) and their are more rude people in Italy than Manhattan, hands down. Three times Italians cut blatantly in front of me while I was standing in line (they don't even look at you when they do it--once, TWO NUNS did it to me--can you imagine?) And I confirmed everything awful that I had heard about Naples--words cannot describe how sleazy the people are there. <BR> <BR>There were many very nice people, as well, just like anywhere, but I was a bit surprised by the rude and/or aggressive behavior.

"Three times Italians cut blatantly in front of me while I was standing in line (they don't even look at you when they do it--once, TWO NUNS did it to me--can you imagine?)" <BR> <BR>Well, yes, I imagine--can you imagine that not every culture has the same reverence for lines that we do? I admit I'm a line-lover, and I find it irritating at first (and then I remember I'm in an LQI--low queue incidence--country). If the price of great food and art is learning to mill, well, sign me up.

I have to say in my 2 1/2 weeks in Italy I did not run into much of the rudeness or thievery that some posters seem to have. I did have people cut in front of me in line, but I had learned to expect this. It IS a cultural difference, not simple rudeness. Italians just don't do lines. Its not the way they behave. So when it happened, I just relaxed, and made sure the next person couldn't get in front of me. <BR> <BR>In restaurants, I found Italian wait staff, for the most part, far more professional than their American counterparts. They were not overly friendly. They never came to the table and said "Good Afternoon! Welcome to Chili's! My Name is Mario, and I'll be your server today, may I bring you a cocktail?" This kind of psuedo-friendliness that is practiced in American Chain restauraunts really irks me. Italian waiters were sometimes brusque, but at least in my small experience they were nearly always efficient. They also seemed to work far more tables than and American waiter would. They were much better at making sure the wine glass stayed full, the water glass stayed full, that the food came to the table hot, that their was clean silver for each course. About the only issue was the slowness of bringing the check. But that's cultural too. They think you should linger over coffee, and always took a very long time to bring the bill. <BR> <BR>We took taxis in Rome and in Florence. In both cities the rules about surcharges were extensive, and were posted in the cabs. We also spent over 10,000 lira for a very short taxi ride fom the train station to our hotel. But paying about 7 dollars to avoid dragging my luggage a couple blocks seems worth it. After all, in the US I would probably tip a bellhop $3 just for rolling it up the elevator to my room!

Martha, I love that "low queue incidence" country! For what its worth Greece is also LQI. Perhaps thats why I'm tolerant of it, its in the blood :-)

Ben: Would you elaborate on your statement about Naples: "words cannot describe how sleazy the people are there." I've had only good experiences there, contrary to the stereotypes and horror stories. Yes, you have to be on your guard, but you have to be that way in New York, too. Wonder what happened to you to elicit this response.

No one seems to realize that tourists interfere with the normal routine of Italians,French, etc. How would you feel if you had to put up with all the inconvience that we cause? Lines are very long at train stations, Post offices, etc. because, again, we interfere with their routine. They are forced to give up their cities during the season. And,please, don't give me that- "If we didn't spend our money there, where would they be." Very happy, I'm afraid. So the next time a couple of nuns get in front of you, be gracious and smile. After all, we are the intruders.

For LQI, visit Malta. My sister dubbed it "Willynillyville". Adapting to it was half the fun of the trip. <BR> <BR>I live in the part of the country that, from November thru April, is inundated with tourists - both American and foreign. They drive Winnebagos the size of aircraft carriers through our rush hour traffic, then loudly voice "That's NOT how we do it in New York/Chicago/ Detroit". They wear crispy pink jogging suits into our nice restaurants, and he never takes off his souvenir ten-gallon hat. They push their way in front of us at the supermarket and saloon, and wave their hands and cough loudly when we light up in the smoking area. No wonder the Italians/French/whoever don't like American tourists very much - **I** don't like 'em either! <BR>By the way, who invented lines?