Robbed in Florence
May 26th, 2007, 10:46 AM
#45
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....It does reinforce the notion that there are two types of travelers: those who have been robbed and those who are going to be robbed. I will undoubtedly be scolded for saying that .........
ANY YOU SHOULD BE !!!!! That is the type of comment that makes inexperience travelers think they are headed into a den of theives. There is no basis for that statement. It is stupid statement. I would be willing to bet that if you could take an accurate poll on this site, the vast majority of the travelers have not been robbed. We have traveled nearly 300 days in the 12 years or so and never had a problem or even think we have been close to a problem.
ANY YOU SHOULD BE !!!!! That is the type of comment that makes inexperience travelers think they are headed into a den of theives. There is no basis for that statement. It is stupid statement. I would be willing to bet that if you could take an accurate poll on this site, the vast majority of the travelers have not been robbed. We have traveled nearly 300 days in the 12 years or so and never had a problem or even think we have been close to a problem.
May 26th, 2007, 11:57 AM
#46
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Of course, condolences to the OP for the bad-luck bag theft. And others here are right in saying that such thefts are the exception... and surely NOT the norm.
But, just for the record, before we all start assaulting the next European who spells mustard, ketchup or shaving foam on us... I was on Eurostar yesterday from London to Paris, and a fellow traveller at the train bar spilt his beer on me. Naturally, my thoughts turned to Fodors and I checked my wallet and hand baggage. The man in question wanted to pay for the dry-cleaning of my suit (which I declined), and in the end bought my family and I a bottle of champagne.
We are all now rather eagerly looking out for French men (or anyone else) who might spill beer, mustard or shaving foam on us!
But, just for the record, before we all start assaulting the next European who spells mustard, ketchup or shaving foam on us... I was on Eurostar yesterday from London to Paris, and a fellow traveller at the train bar spilt his beer on me. Naturally, my thoughts turned to Fodors and I checked my wallet and hand baggage. The man in question wanted to pay for the dry-cleaning of my suit (which I declined), and in the end bought my family and I a bottle of champagne.
We are all now rather eagerly looking out for French men (or anyone else) who might spill beer, mustard or shaving foam on us!
May 26th, 2007, 12:14 PM
#47
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glk11b I am sorry for your misfortune and if this ever happens to me, I will try to remember this thread and the others of a similar nature.
But please, help us to understand why you feel the hotel is in any way responsible.
But please, help us to understand why you feel the hotel is in any way responsible.
May 26th, 2007, 04:26 PM
#48
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fmpden -
That's simply ridiculous. I've been to europe at last count (I did it for this) 77 times and have never been robbed.
Perhaps because I pay attention to what I'm doing.
I'm not saying it's impossilbe for a really good pickpocket to get almost anyone. But - by percentages, very few people are robbed. And MANY of those who are cause it themselves through their own carelessness.
Don't know if that's the case here - since the OP is unclear - but it sounds like they abandoned their luggage (since the thieves got more than one bag) to mop up a minor spill - not very sensible.
That's simply ridiculous. I've been to europe at last count (I did it for this) 77 times and have never been robbed.
Perhaps because I pay attention to what I'm doing.
I'm not saying it's impossilbe for a really good pickpocket to get almost anyone. But - by percentages, very few people are robbed. And MANY of those who are cause it themselves through their own carelessness.
Don't know if that's the case here - since the OP is unclear - but it sounds like they abandoned their luggage (since the thieves got more than one bag) to mop up a minor spill - not very sensible.
May 26th, 2007, 04:52 PM
#49
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nytraveler, I'm not sure if I'm reading your post correctly or not, but fmpden did not say that everyone who goes to Europe will be robbed. fmpden was quoting Pegontheroad's post above. (see 5/26, 12:33am)
May 26th, 2007, 07:01 PM
#51
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Sorry, Travelnut, but you are 1000 percent wrong about the "lawsuit" mentality-you speak as one who reads the headlines, and knows nothing about law, you know nothing about judges reducing damage awards, you know nothing about how states have put caps on tort damages (personal injury, wrongful death cases), etc., and as far as the rest of the world, particularly in Europe, lawsuits are almost as common as they are, in some parts more so.
And in terms of the McDonald's "hot coffee" lawsuit? I'm wondering if you would feel the way you do, if you were the one who received third degree burns on your legs by putting the coffee cup there to hold it-it was an older lady. If you heard the jury foreperson speak about the verdict, she said that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE JURY MEMBERS BELIEVED MCDONALD'S WAS LIABLE, AND SHOULD PAY BIG DAMAGES.
McD had been warned several times before about their too hot coffee, they had many memos on the subject, that people were getting burned, that they had paid out previous damages, and their cups did not provide enough insulation, nor did they have any warnings on the cups that the coffee was very hot, and to be careful.
Now, their coffee cups DO carry a warning.
So don't talk stupidly about legal issues, unless you have a glimmer of an idea about what it is you're talking about-I find it very offensive.
And in terms of the McDonald's "hot coffee" lawsuit? I'm wondering if you would feel the way you do, if you were the one who received third degree burns on your legs by putting the coffee cup there to hold it-it was an older lady. If you heard the jury foreperson speak about the verdict, she said that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE JURY MEMBERS BELIEVED MCDONALD'S WAS LIABLE, AND SHOULD PAY BIG DAMAGES.
McD had been warned several times before about their too hot coffee, they had many memos on the subject, that people were getting burned, that they had paid out previous damages, and their cups did not provide enough insulation, nor did they have any warnings on the cups that the coffee was very hot, and to be careful.
Now, their coffee cups DO carry a warning.
So don't talk stupidly about legal issues, unless you have a glimmer of an idea about what it is you're talking about-I find it very offensive.
May 26th, 2007, 07:11 PM
#52
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I would say that everyone who things that the McDonald's lawsuit was frivolous should read the case and look at what really happened. This was not just your average burn but was very severe and required extensive medical attention. The jury gave a verdict but the actual settlement was greatly reduced. Rarely is the actual monetary award given by the jury what the plaintiff actually receives after appeals and settlement negotiations.
That being said, I don't see any way that the hotel could be responsible in this case. I am sorry the OP had this incident happened to them but it is one of the risks that comes with travel. It could have happened anywhere and there has been some very good advise given here that may help the OP get relief from their own insurance company. However, unless the hotel staff was involved I don't see how they could be liable at all.
As for the anti-American sentiments shared on this thread, shame on you. Who said the OP was American and who said Americans are the only persons who contemplate litigation? Oh well, some people never miss a chance to take a shot. I thought travel was supposed to broaden the mind but I can see it doesn't always work.
That being said, I don't see any way that the hotel could be responsible in this case. I am sorry the OP had this incident happened to them but it is one of the risks that comes with travel. It could have happened anywhere and there has been some very good advise given here that may help the OP get relief from their own insurance company. However, unless the hotel staff was involved I don't see how they could be liable at all.
As for the anti-American sentiments shared on this thread, shame on you. Who said the OP was American and who said Americans are the only persons who contemplate litigation? Oh well, some people never miss a chance to take a shot. I thought travel was supposed to broaden the mind but I can see it doesn't always work.
May 26th, 2007, 07:13 PM
#53
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Girlspytravel, you need to get a grip. At the risk of really pi**ing you off, I am at a loss as to WHY anyone would put a cup of coffee between their legs. Coffee is suppose to be hot, get it??? You should expect to get burned. And, trust me, juries have bungled verdicts before.
May 26th, 2007, 07:18 PM
#54
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No, actually, I DON'T get it, I only get that YOU don't understand the issues, either, but it's a good thing that there are lawyers out there who really ARE looking out for the public interest, in ways you'd never realize which have made your life much safer, but I think you're a bit too obtuse or unknowledgeable to grasp that idea, which is a true pity.
May 26th, 2007, 07:30 PM
#56
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Indeed it is. Remember, something both of you: YOU aren't the ones listening to the evidence and examining it- THE JURY does that-YOU only get the sensationalist headlines-and WHATEVER the press thinks you OUGHT to know, which will sell papers, or get you to watch-the media are masters of exploitation, manipulation and distortion of issues-if you haven't learned that by now, then you really are part of the gullible millions who can't seem to use the brain God gave you to do any more than superficially accept what has been spoon-fed to you by the media.
May 26th, 2007, 07:49 PM
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Sorry girlspytravel, but people need to take responsibility for their stupid actions. Like a prior poster said, who is so stupid as to put a cup of coffee between their legs???? So, if I get burned by touching at the metal inside my oven, should I sue the oven manufacturer? Do ovens carry a warning??? Please! The reason that judgement was reduced is because it was ridiculous! She's lucky she got anything. And save yourself your rants about me being "obtuse" or "unknowlegeable". I have common sense, and my common sense tells me that anybody that puts a cup of coffee between their legs is stupid and society should not pay for their stupidity.
May 26th, 2007, 08:21 PM
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Well in that I was involved in the insurance industry for decades I KNOW that one of the major problems is that so often insurance companies settle a claim as it is less expensive to do so then to fight the claim in a court of law. And a certain segment of society also knows that and consequently takes advantage of that knowledge. And we the insureds consequently pay a higher premium than we would if the insurance companies would legally fight certain claims. I could write numerous examples that I personally know of regarding this subject.
Anyway glk11b, I am sorry that you had this experience in Florence. But IMO there is no way that the hotel can be held liable for your loss for all the obviouse reasons.
Anyway glk11b, I am sorry that you had this experience in Florence. But IMO there is no way that the hotel can be held liable for your loss for all the obviouse reasons.
