I spent a short period of time at a college in New Jersey, and was horified that because they couldn't buy alcohol students were drinking some medication instead. Robotusin?

Responsible drinking is the way forward.

<I'll join with <beaupeep>.
Someone who hasn't learned the rules of grammar of his/her own language, and has no respect for them ("Get over it.") or for those who do, probably hasn't learned what moderation is.>

the linkage here between mispelling grammar and not learning what moderation is is baffling to say the least - and totally lacking in any logical cause and effect relationship - verbal garbage.

<Someone who hasn't learned the rules of grammar of his/her own language, and has no respect for them> and how do you reach this conclusion - one little mistake (or typo) grammer instead of grammar and this leads you to think she hasn't learnt the rule of her own language, etc. Again rubbish. I read the OP and the only tiny mistake was mispelling the word grammar - if you held Fodorites all up to that standard we'd all be guilty as charged.

Simsy02- there has been lots written here on pickpocketing in Italy - basically wear and money belt with your money, cr cards, ATM card, passport in it and always use it - under the belt is best for Italy - neck pouches can be grabbed off your neck and perhaps hurting you in the process. And don't trust anyone coming up to you - especially playful looking Romani kids.

I would not

<mispelling>>
misspelling... sorry PQ... couldn't resist

It is a long-standing internet rule that all posts correcting another's spelling or grammar must contain a mislepping or in a grammar error it's own.

does <mispelling>>
misspelling... sorry PQ... couldn't resist>

mean that i'm not mature enough to drink wine in moderation - come to think of it maybe i'm not!

anyway you illustrate how a typo or quick typing could be construed as a grammer mistake and then some folks wood jump to inclusions.

Axe me no questions and I'll tell you know lyes.

Why would you want to test yourself and your reaction to alcoholic drinks on a trip of a lifetime in a foreign country? My husband and I have taken our kids on trips to Europe and none of us have felt that we needed to drink the alcoholic drinks in order to adequately appreciate and absorb the culture of the country we were visiting.

good advice from Carol - don't 'test' wine the first time in Europe but prep yourself for the trip a bit here.

I'm sure many do feel that sampling local wines, brews, etc. are important to their enjoyment of a country. This is a value judgment and i believe values clarification is not the role here. Suspend judgment IMO as the OP seems a very level headed person.

But i agree drink some wine and test your reaction to it first - and don't drink on an empty stomach as it can be absorbed quickly, especially feeling stronger if a never drinker. And the less you weigh the less you need to get a buzz.

Italy of course also has great mineral waters!

So I'm a prophet now. Sorry robjame, I should have been more clear. Drinking at 16 is not what creates alcoholism. The risk of alcoholism grows from multiple factors, major among them is social evironment, emotional health and genetic predisposition. Again, it's not the taste of wine at age 16 that creates the alcoholic.

Not being a prophet, I'm not sure how you have come to the conclusion that the young lad and his buddies are all having a good laugh. Tarot cards perhaps.

But now we have a psychologist in the group. Poor grammar and the use of the phrase "Get over it" is a clear indication that this youngster is headed off the cliff. This thread is just filled with professionals.

I believe it is called "spelling karma".

Let's do a test. Testing. Testing. 1, 2, 3. Simsy are you there? Helllooo, are you there, Simsy?
This has been a test. This is only a test. You may now return to the program in progress.

I believe simpsey's last post (2 days ago) gives you some clue to what he thought of the whole deal

<<Hahaha..thank you guys! I had to laugh at some of the posts.>>


Do you really think that. a 16 year old is going to ask what kind of wine to have in Italy? Zing was good enough for me.

Is he going to listen to people on an internet site moralizing?

It was fun for awhile now flimsy has left the building

Whoa wojazz-that doesn't take premonition. Remember when you were 16?

Simsy--

I'm 16 as well. I have traveled through most of western Europe and southern Africa in the summers since I was about 6. Everywhere we went, my older brother and I were served and drank the local wines at dinner; at first, I wasn't particularly fond of the taste. It is definitely an acquired taste, and it takes time to cultivate a sense of the difference in each wine. Now, whenever we go out to dinner I also have a glass of wine (yes, even in the States). I've only been drunk once - when I was 7, in France, because I was thirsty and hadn't eaten. Now I know that when I start feeling sleepy or light-headed, I stop drinking anything. The truth is that if American children could drink alcohol at a young age, it wouldn't be even a big deal...
Anyway, you probably won't really like the taste at first. My family and I like Pinot Noir for red wine, and Merlot. Chianti is a little bit lighter. White wines can be sweeter and lighter; probably more refreshing, especially if you're new to wine. In restaurants, just ask for the house wine; in Greece, it is almost always white; in Italy, I think you can choose. That way, you'll begin to learn to tell the difference between types of grapes without spending a whole lot on a bottle. Generally, you should drink red wine if you're having a heavier dish like meat, and white goes well with fish or light pasta.
As far as traveling in Italy - Venice is amazing, but horribly touristy/crowdy. I was just there last summer, and we were disappointed by how Venice has sold out! Pizza places around St. Mark's charge you 10 bucks just to sit down - beware. Explore and get lost; go to Peggy Guggenheim's museum. Rick Steves' travel books are dorky, but he has a great walking tour of Venice. Don't miss a gondola ride, but do go at night! And the Doges Palace is always a must-see.

Enjoy... I hope this helps... and when drinking, don't worry, wine generally makes me just fall asleep. You won't die from grapes.

beaupeep,

It's chaperones...not chaperons.

Rick Steves is "dorky"! I love it...out of the mouths of babes...

Yup, Rick Steves is dorky -- this time out of the mouth of a geezer.

Rick Steves *is* dorky (and i'm old as dirt).

Steves is a big dope smoker, not a wino. Can't believe all the posts for this troll. So I'll contribute as well.

rick steves is cool and i'm as old as dirt, although not a geezer

Great thread!