Hi Jenn-

I don't know why people can't disagree without getting nasty and demeaning the comments of others. That being said, there are generally better ways of expressing negative opinions without using blanket generalizations. I, too, had a couple of negative experiences in Rome and I just took it that I met up with people who were having a bad day or were just plain unpleasant.

If people who post can't be honest about their trip reports then what good are they?

JennHawk,

I don't know why people are getting on you about a dropped folder. It sounds like something that would happen to me.

I haven't been to Italy (one day I will go). If you see a klutz it's probably me.

But in response to the OP, why would you expect everyone to happy all the time. Next time yell (in English of course) "Dance, prank monkey"

Anyway, just because someone doesn't plaster aphony smile on their face doesn't mean their not happy.

Jennhawk -

I'm sorry you had some bumps in the road on your Italy trip. I loved my recent trip there and saw little of what you report, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen to you.

I appreciate an honest trip report, positive or negative. I'm always suspcious of reports that are unwilling to admit even one bad moment in a trip. Anyone who travels has had them, and they are a part of the experience. People who say unpleasant travel experiences haven't happened to them are being dishonest. The trick is to fixate on the great stuff.

Your impressions of Italy are not mine, but that does make them less valid. Thanks for posting.

...does NOT make them less valid.

Wow, I need more coffee.

My personal theory is that people simply more naturally fit in to & enjoy different countries. Personally I found Italy a bit more challenging to travel than other places I've visited. But I don't blame the Italians for that, it's just the way I felt. I find I flourish and fit in beautifully myself in Switzerland and Paris. But did not care for Amsterdam at all. My point being that it's about me and how I react to the surroundings. I don't expect things to be change to meet my preconceived notions. I found people in Amsterdam much more reserved and almost stand-offish. But I know there are those who adore that city.

I did not mean to come off as overly harsh above, but truly I do not expect help from strangers in a foreign country. And if I'd dropped my papers all over the sidewalk, I'd pick them up & probably wouldn't have made a complaint against Italians here on Fodors as a result of an accident.

I sat in the breakfast room of the Hotel Hermitage in Florence last year, and listened to the table of Americans next to me bond over the shortcomings of the hotel. These people didn't know each other ahead of time, so they found common ground in their negative attitudes. To make it even worse, they conducted the whole conversation full voice, obviously secure in the knowledge that "these people" couldn't understand. I was horrified-- embarassed to hold the same passport, sympathetic to the staff who were being openly insulted, and sad for the Americans who were so close-minded that these minor complaints (some true, by the way) would taint their whole trip.

What's more, I was able to gather from my eavesdropping that at least one couple was from my area in the US. So you might say that these were "my people", with similar life experiences, but, thank God, not the same attitude. Ironically, Florence was not the high point of my trip either, but there's a long leap from "this isn't quite what I expected" to "why would anyone want to go there".

I really appreciate that people have posted responses that are a bit "softer." I was quite intimidated after the response to my first post.

I think suze said very well what I actually meant. I did not fit into Italy as well as I have other places.

This is not to say that the people there are bad, or that I am a bad traveler, but just that I personally felt like I couldn't connect with the people I encountered as I had in other places.

I took some valuable lessons from that trip, though. If I see a person who looks lost, I am the first to offer help. And I used to assume people were just being idiots-now I assume that possibly their bag with all their maps, etc. was lost and they need directions quickly to catch a train.

For whatever it's worth, my worst vacation has made me into a nicer person.

Jennhawk, I still think you're over reacting to the posts made earlier. Other than two very brief and rather pointed ones made directly to you right after your first post, you MUST realize that most of those comments were directed to the original poster and not you -- at least I know mine were. Most of us I think didn't even realize that your comment was being made 5 years later and we were still reacting to some of the "over the top" statements made by Terry -- such as the idea that there is nothing to see in Venice and everyone is out to get your money. If you follow along, you'll even see that the "rudeness" comments related to her story of how policemen don't like to be interrupted.

Meanwhile, I think you were treading on thin ice by bringing up an old post that obviously got a lot of people riled up and then you agreeing with that point of view. Too late now, but you certainly would have been better off starting your own thread, not adding your comments to someone so narrowsighted as this Terry person obviously was.

But the bottom line, and the most important point in this entire thread came from you:

" For whatever it's worth, my worst vacation has made me into a nicer person."

Ah, if only that were true for all of us!

Whoa.

Just posted on above "Venice is A Dream" and traveled downward to check out "Just Returned: Some advice". Actually, received the thread by trying to update some Florence ideas, and was surprised that it was regarding Venice.

Planning a return trip to Florence and Cinque Terre now, but cannot sit back and let remarks such as these settle with anyone, and so I join the I Love Venice posters.

My original post of "Venice is A Dream" is my testament to this special place. When I have a little more time, I will read all 67 of these posts and I'm hoping/assuming more will be in the Love corner !

Jennhawk, I'm glad you checked back. I agree with the comments above that your biggest mistake (if I may call it that) was adding on to such a negative original post rather than telling your own story from scratch.

I'm glad also you appreciated my point of view about different people and different countries or cities. In the past I've compared the phenomena to what it's like to fall in love. You can't explain it, it doesn't always make sense but it is a strong... sometimes overwhelming emotion or reaction.

Jennhawk,

Chin up, maybe it was just a random convergence of negative experiences - statistically possible :-), in which case you may end up with the opposite convergence on your next trip. I hope you do!

-e

I do understand about not feeling as though you fit into a place. I have had that feeling. Fortunatly, for me, Italy and Mexico are two places that I fit into perfectly. Switzerland, although so beautiful, left me cold regarding the people. But that was just my experiences. And although I think Canada is also very beautiful and have had friends from Canada which I enjoy so much I must say in Vancouver, as much as I love the city, has not been a place where I felt like I fit in. So many rude encounters. But I would go back again if I had unlimited travel money.

Our jewel of the US, Hawaii, it is paradise to me. But I have known people (few, very few) that have said that they were treated terrible.

Have not had the pleasure of travelling in the Netherlands but I sure have always had the most kindest service from the KLM employees and the Dutch in the Amsterdam airport. I always look forward to being in their airport.

Guess it is all the the "chemistry".

You people need to chill! Everyone has a right to their opinion. Disagreement and discussion is one thing-but dumping like most of you are doing really turns me off to this message board. The Gore comment from a poster is the low point!!! Gee, what a great job Bush is doing making our world safer, saving lives except for American's and making us(Americans)stand proud as we travel to foreign countries!! The intelligence displayed in this thread is remarkable!!

I would not ordinarily reply to people's posts, but felt that one is necessary. No matter where you go be it away to another country, to another city, or even in the area that you live you will encounter rude people. I can't tell you the numerous rude people I encounter here in NYC and I live here. I also have encounter alot of wonderful people here, you can not expect to go somewhere and have everyone be polite. People have their own personalities and there own issues, whether you encounter rude people or nice people you should take it in stride and not anyone ruin a trip for you. You can make or break your trip and it's a shame that you let rude people ruin your trip.

Indeed, people have their own personalities, their own issues....and their own expectations of others. This is a very wise concept to keep in mind, but the number of responses to this now five year old thread show that it is very difficult to put it into practice. Also something to keep in mind, methinks. :)

We are leaving for Italy in one week...first time ever and I can't wait. I hope we are not disappointed but if we are I guess it is still better than most days at work. I appreciate all of the comments but am sometimes intimidated by wrath of others. Sometimes people don't appreciate another point of view. So we should be tolerant. I for one anticipate that we will have a lovely time in Italy and know from experience that even though some people are rude....not all of the people are rude..Treasure the good ones.

Well, just to throw in my 2cents worth. My family of 5 made our first visit to Italy this summer (Rome and south), and were just overwhelmed with the entire experience. The Italians were extremely friendly and helpful, most seemed to know some English, and they clearly did not dislike tourists in general or (these) Americans in particular. We had absolutely the best time I would have ever imagined. My wife and I are planning on returning next summer (without kids!) to visit Florence and Tuscany, and are anxiously awaiting and planning already. I can't imagine that anybody would love Italy, if they'd experienced what we did. It was perfect.

correction to above:

"can't imagine anybody would NOT love Italy....."

Sorry, I guess I just got too excited.

I will be going to Rome and Sorrent on Sept 3-
We will be flying into Naples then taking the train to Rome. Then we are going to Sorrento - Taking the train back -
What is the best way to get to Sorrento from the Napoli train staion

cynderelli- you probably want to "post a new message" instead of add to this one. your question is way down number 78 in a 5 year old thread, with a vague title. Start a new one with the title Train Naples to Sorrento question, is my suggestion.