Having just spent a 2 week vacation in italy with girlfriends, I found that italian men love american women, and try everything to get a girl to leave a bar with them. Not that we didn't have a blast (I'll save those stories for the R rated fodors site), but it made me laugh how persistent they can be.

Holly.., I'm so glad I found you.., whatever happened that night?? You said you were going to leave the bar with me, but you never came back from the bathroom. My I e-mail you so we may continue our relationship?

Your loss Fabio, Holly and I shared a wonderful evening under the stars and I showed her a major Italian sight.

Holly - you got so much attention because you are female - thats it!

Okay Holly -- you're the brazen hussy who distracted my Leonardo from his responsibilities to his wife [me] and our four children -- come anywhere near him again and I'll....

Holly, that's interesting in light of a question posed by a woman here a month or so ago. She asked whether or not it was "safe" to flirt with men in Italy. I asked her if she meant "safe" as in concern for her physical safety, or "safe" as in worried they'd want, and try, to have sex with her (which I assume most men would, if they found her attractive) if she flirted with them...but I don't recall her ever answering.

Holly, <BR>Men in a lot of countries "love" American women. Unfortunately, you can't always take this as a complement. Often its because American women are viewed as being promiscuous. When you consider the types of sexual images that are so prevalent in American TV shows, movies, music videos, etc., seen throughout the world, its not too surprising that men tend to get this idea. Agressive behaviour towards female travelers can sometimes be quite insulting, although the women themselves may not even realize it. These men know better than to try this behaviour with local women.

Both funny and cynical responses... interesting. Men are so sure that women don't know what a man's "true" intentions are. Don't you guys worry...we can handle ourselves, and we have alot more fun when single than most of you guys.

I always thought it was: <BR>"Blondes have more fun" <BR>not <BR>"Sluts have more fun" <BR> <BR> <BR>Yes, I heard the same thing. Italian and Greek men "target" American women because they think they are all sluts, like in the movies.

Can someone please define "slut" for me. It is such an offensive term to me. Is liking sex and being 28 and being single a slut? Just wondering.

Holly, to some (undoubtedly conservative) people, I'm afraid the answer to your last question is "yes." I agree, I also think it's an offensive term and one, interestingly, normally applied only to women, not men. <BR> <BR>We had a major go-round on a thread along these lines a number of months ago, with a number of folks outraged that people would have casual sex.

Holly I am sorry you found out. <BR>I ama married to this spitfire women. She is gettin very tired of me sleeping with American, how you say, the sluts. <BR> <BR>She a sits alone with 4 crying bambinos and I do thisa to her. I am so ashamed. But I canna help myself. The Italian girls all a laugh at me and send me away. But you a don't. Thank you.

Thanks capo. People who think women who are not married but who don't sit home twiddling their thumbs are sluts need to get out and get a life.

I think slut is an unnecessarily inflammatory word. The real point is that behavior or even dress that is normal and acceptable where you live may not be viewed the same way when you travel to other countries. Sadly, this is particularly true for women. A double standard does exist. Its always a good idea when you travel to try to do some research on the local culture so that you can attempt to avoid behaving in a way that may be misinterpreted and put you in danger.

You're welcome, Holly. It's the classic double-standard: single men who have sex are "playboys" or "studs"; single women who have sex are "sluts."

As an Italian woman I already know what many foreign women do not: that most Italian men are hung like poodles. The statue of David is a very accurate representation of the average Italian man’s appendage. Italian women know this so we have very little interest in the men as lovers and that is why they give so much attention to the foreign women. So advised and avoid disappoinment. If you are really interested in the Italian man, as they say, pack your tweezers.

Oh Maria, What a great warning! (or is she just saying that so we'll leave her men alone?) We're back to the David's size thing again. But I would just like to listen to sweet nothings whispered in my ear in Italian. Don't need to know what it means. He could be reading the recipe to his mama's penne arrabiata! Same thing with a French man actually.

Hi Capo, I was the one that posted asking about meeting Italian men. <BR>I thought it would be fun to have a nice drink, etc. while on vacation there. I think I would have a say on how intimate I would willing to go, no?

Holly, <BR> <BR>I believe there's an internship available in Washington DC. Interested?

Holly, <BR> <BR>I, too, am outraged by the term "slut". When I go out to a bar or restaurant or nightclub or disco or supermarket or mall to pick up a guy, i tlike to think of myself--not as a slut--but more of a whore.