Ok, I hope no one takes offense to this message, but my family is planning a trip to Rome and I've heard some rumors about how women are treated in Italy. With that being said, has any female tourist or men ever experienced or noticed sexual advances toward tourists?
My hesitations might be due to stupid rumors that I've heard from people, but it's a cause for concern. Thanks to anyone who can answer! When I say like dbabe that Italian men are no different than American ones, I mean that there have been instances when I have traveled with my daughter in the USA were she was bothered by persistant men.
Often the men in question do not realize we are together on the surface she looks a lot different than me. In Washington DC some something was trying to pick her up at the train station when she was only 14 she looked older. I had to get very rude. I told him that she was jail bait. I said that I was her mother and was there when she was born. Then he went away. I'm curious as to what the poster regards a "sexual advance" towards a tourist?
This is truly curious as I've been to Italy several times, many times in tourist areas or with tourists and I have never once seen anything overly "sexual" directed at a woman. What are these advances that are overly sexual?
Sorry, but men are men, think you have been listening to the wrong people. You will not have a problem, matter of fack, you will have the time of your life. Good luck and have fun. As Donna suggested, I think the rumors that you heard regarding Italian men are probably around 30 years old or more. Nowadays though, things have changed, and I doubt you'll have even the slightest problem.
At least no more than here in the States. I'm very certain that you can put it out of your mind, and just concentrate on enjoying your trip.
I have been here 10 days, I leave tomorrow : traveled with a gf for 7 and the last 3 solo and we both felt safe everywhere we went and weren't really bothered. They may at eateries wink and be friendly but hey they know we are tourists and they are working for tips! You will love Italy! I can't wait to come back!!!
I'm so surprised at your sad opinion of Italian men and their treatment of women. Italian women are no longer barefoot and pregnant, so Italian men now treat them accordingly, with respect.
Yes, they may look and wink and smile, but for the most part, it'll be your call. If you don't respond in kind, they'll move on. I've never seen any man be overtly disrespectful to any woman, tourist or local, in my many trips to Italy.
I'm not sure why some people feel the need to attack the OP. She never said anything to suggest that Italian woman are somehow not deserving of respect which gives Italian men a free pass to treat them poorly. I'm pretty sure everyone is deserving of respect whether or not they are "barefoot and pregnant". Men all over the world will hit on young women regardless of whether this attention is welcomed or invited. It isn't anything to worry about and I never felt unsafe or threatened. Your daughter's will probably just get a few men throwing "Ciao Bellas" at them.
Not a huge deal and if you ignore them they will eventually go away, especially if you as parents give them a stern look. You'll be fine, I went in the 's when I was tall blonde and 18 years old, now I'm in my 40's married to an Italian but never any trouble, just charming men, just laugh when then make compliments, I'm going back again this August with my teenager twin daughters although my husband is getting worried as one is blonde and the other dark, they've been well versed in Italian phrases!!! This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.
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