Firenze 2006-2007

Travel Guide Part XI: Interactions with Italians

This one is mostly for the women in the group. Guys won’t have any problem with Italians in general. You could probably go the whole year without having to speak to an Italian in a casual setting, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Women have more problems with Italian men because of the attraction, and then because of the habits and styles of Italian men.
Many of you probably aren’t looking for an Italian boyfriend, but if you are or were, it wouldn’t be hard to find a guy to take you out. Italian men are traditionally very touchy and pressing. They will come up to you and talk to you, and even follow you for a bit should you try to avoid a conversation. It is also common for Italian men to touch and be physical with women, and because that it is their custom, they won’t change their style for an American woman that might find that overdoing it.
There are several ways as a girl to show that you’re not interested. One way is to just ignore them and don’t make eye contact at all. Another is to always travel in groups, and preferably with at least one guy present to step in if needed. And the last is to wear a ring as a wedding ring. Just a harmless idea that may work or may not.
Girls that went in 03-04- any other things that I left out?

posted by Daniel Williams @ 13:59