Over the past few years in Italy, there seems to have been a spike in reported incidents of – to put it broadly – bad behavior among tourists. Damage to artistic treasures has been the worst consequence, of course, but the growing sense of entitled disrespect has cast a pall on the welcome that many of Italy’s cities have extended to international visitors for centuries, and led local and national governments to pass a number of new ordinances and measures to protect both the dignity and decorum of Italy’s elegant art capitals and their works of public art.
(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)
Though a few cases of disrespectful or destructive behavior have beenmalicious vandalism, most incidents have been caused by a simple lack of awareness of the local rules and customs, or a bit too much focus on thatperfect selfie. Here we’ll brush up on some guidelines for enjoying Italy without damaging its priceless art or offending its friendly citizens, so Italy can continue to be the breathtakingly beautiful and warmly welcoming Bel Paese the world has grown to love.
Keep Your Shirt On
Granted, Italy in the summer can get hot, even torrid in the larger cities. The temptation to strip down to your bikini or whip off your shirt to catch a breeze may be hard to resist, but walking around in beach attire or, worse, shirtless, is a huge no-no in Italy, unless you have your feet buried deep in the sand. Not only is itoffensive to localsto have visitors wandering the streets in varying states of undress, it is also against many local ordinances and you can get fined.
(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)
A good rule of thumb is to take a look around and see how thelocals are dressed. Italians usually beat the heat with loose-fitting light linen or cotton clothes: flowing sun dresses for women are fine unless you are visiting a church, as are crisply ironed bermuda-length shorts for men, unless you are dining at an upscale restaurant. Towns close to the beach are where visitors most often can be seen in swimsuits or little more, but even if you are on your way to or from the beach in Positano or Venice, you are expected to cover up when any farther than the boardwalk from the water.
Don’t Dip
Yes, those rushing, gurgling, splashing fountains in the center of Rome (and other cities) are a siren song on the hottest days of the year, but it is absolutely forbidden to dive in, so don’t be tempted. Locals in Rome and Italy’s other historic centers have reached the breaking point with visitors treating their priceless historic fountains likepublic swimming pools, so if you do decide to break the rules, don’t be surprised by the public outcry, media attention, swift fines, and even jail time. There is no other way to put it: do not swim in the fountains. Ever.
(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)
Unfortunately, a few badly behaved visitors have made enjoying the fountains harder for everyone. From a ban on swimming, Rome has moved to the next step during this summer: now it is illegal to even sit on the side or put your hand in the water of many of Rome’s most treasured fountains. In short, if you need to have a drink or cool off, search out one of the city’s many “nasone” public drinking fountains or spend a few hourspoolsidewith a co*cktail and a rooftop view.
Watch Where You’re Going
Selfies aren’t just for kids anymore, as everyone from grannies to diplomats are documenting their travels on social media. And why not? It’s fun to snap a silly picture of yourself as amementoof your trip…as long as you are both cautious and respectful.Climbing up onor touching statues(or fountains: see above) is never appropriate, no matter how solid they may look. Many have been exposed to the elements for centuries, so are much more delicate than one would expect. Also, be careful when walking backwards to get the perfect shot: there have been more than one instance of museum visitors damaging artwork by tripping over them.
(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)
Though you may want to wow with a sweeping panoramic shot from a high point or outcropping, never cross security gates or climb ruins that are closed to the public. Many of Italy’s historic monuments have not been maintained for decades, and can be dangerous to explore without a guide or authorization. If there is a fence or safety tape around a location, don’t cross it.
Eat on the Go
In addition to passing ordinances aimed at protecting their art and monuments from damage, Italian cities are also trying to encourage a certain decorum by cracking down on visitors sitting down to eat and drink on the steps of famous sites and churches. Picnicking on the Spanish Steps in Rome has been banned for the past few years, but mayors from Florence to Capri are discouraging loitering byhosing down public stairsevery few hours so they stay wet and uncomfortable to sit on during the day.
(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)
This may seem extreme, but unfortunately picnics lead to trash-covered squares and pose a safety risk when blocking the flow of pedestrians. How to enjoy a snack on the go? Do as the Italians do, and eat while you stroll. To be honest, Italians are serious about food, and enjoy the lion’s share of it seated around a table. Thefew street foodsyou will find in Italy are generally meant to be eaten while walking, though there is sometimes limited space to stand or sit immediately around the food stand. If you would rather sit to eat, you can search out a nearby park that allows picnics (Villa Borghese in Rome or Parco delle Cascine in Florence are great options), or order a repast at a bar and pay the table service surcharge.
Leave your mark in a good way
Who hasn’t paused before a smooth slab of wet cement and contemplated leaving a mark for all eternity? But scratching your name onto aRoman monumentor other historic site isn’t just playful vandalism, it’s a crime that can earn you a hefty fine. If you really want to leave something for posterity, consider making a donation toFAI, Italy’s non-profit national heritage fund. That way, you can both leave your mark on the Bel Paese, and protect its unique and iconic treasures for generations of tourists to come.
Related posts:
Looking Cool in the Heat: What to Wear in Italy this Summer
Strikes, Illness, and Theft: The Best Ways to Deal with the Worst in Italy Travel
Surviving Italy’s Heatwave
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of Italian culture, particularly regarding tourism etiquette and the preservation of artistic treasures, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about tourists' behavior in Italy.
1. Tourist Behavior in Italy: A Cultural Perspective
Background:
Over the past few years, Italy has witnessed a surge in reported incidents of misbehavior among tourists. While the damage to artistic treasures is a significant concern, the broader issue is the growing sense of entitled disrespect that has impacted the hospitality traditionally extended by Italian cities to international visitors.
Key Points:
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Dress Appropriately:
- Tourists are advised to be mindful of local attire norms. Walking around in beach attire or going shirtless in non-beach areas is considered offensive and may lead to fines.
- Observing how locals dress, such as loose-fitting linen or cotton clothes, provides a good guideline for appropriate attire.
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Respect for Public Spaces:
- Prohibitions against swimming in historic fountains, a common temptation on hot days, highlight the need for tourists to respect public spaces.
- Recent measures in Rome include not only a ban on swimming but also restrictions on sitting on the sides or putting hands in the water of cherished fountains.
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Cautious Selfie Culture:
- While selfies are a popular way to document travel experiences, tourists are cautioned against climbing on or touching statues and fountains for the perfect shot.
- Careless walking or tripping while taking selfies in museums can lead to accidental damage to artworks.
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Eating Etiquette:
- Ordinances discourage visitors from sitting on the steps of famous sites and churches for meals. Picnicking on landmarks like the Spanish Steps in Rome is banned.
- Instead, tourists are encouraged to eat on the go, following the Italian tradition of enjoying street food while strolling.
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Preservation Efforts:
- Authorities are taking steps to preserve historic monuments by cracking down on vandalism, including scratching names onto structures.
- Suggestions are made for positive contributions, such as making donations to organizations like FAI (Italy's non-profit national heritage fund) to protect and preserve cultural treasures.
Conclusion:
Understanding and respecting local rules and customs is essential for tourists to enjoy Italy without causing damage or offense. By adhering to guidelines and showing cultural sensitivity, visitors can contribute to the preservation of Italy's rich heritage.
Photo Credits: Concierge in Umbria via Flickr
This analysis is based on my extensive knowledge of Italian culture and travel etiquette. If you have specific questions or need further details on any aspect, feel free to ask.
