tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post5549293835146486825..comments2024-03-08T09:42:28.879+01:00Comments on Burnt by the Tuscan Sun: Tourism in Italy - Petroleum or Quicksand?Irreverent Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15104487411073849736noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-85124978695261367342009-11-09T22:26:40.769+01:002009-11-09T22:26:40.769+01:00My girl friend and I wanted to see the David in Fi...My girl friend and I wanted to see the David in Firenze, and we decided to book tickets online.<br /><br />I made a booking request with ticketitaly.com for 12:00 Saturday 7 November.<br /><br />By Saturday morning 8:30 AM, they still have not confirmed yet, so I sent an email canceling the request, as we were leaving by train to Firenze and would not have internet access again.<br /><br />That evening when I retreived my emails, I noticed an email from ticketitaly.com, with a confirmation -- 11/7/2009 10:26 AM -- 2 hours after my cancellation email.<br /><br />They now refuse to acknowledge the cancellation and processed Euro40 from my credit card.<br /><br />I find this kind of service unacceptable, and wish to report them.<br /><br />Regards<br />Jacques Steyn<br />jacques@steyn.prJacques Steynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-13460838561303355392009-10-13T14:12:15.799+02:002009-10-13T14:12:15.799+02:00We were happily sold first class tickets from Rome...We were happily sold first class tickets from Rome to Siena (thru Chiusi) even though the train didn't HAVE a first class! I'm sure they're well aware of this little detail...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-149631672149728802009-09-26T15:54:33.842+02:002009-09-26T15:54:33.842+02:00P.S. I went back to my Tante Belle Cose entry for...P.S. I went back to my Tante Belle Cose entry for August. Not one single comment.<br />So, must good news always go unreported???Irreverent Italyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15104487411073849736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-49216636856497716942009-09-26T15:52:06.471+02:002009-09-26T15:52:06.471+02:00Gentlemen -- I think it happens everywhere. Proba...Gentlemen -- I think it happens everywhere. Probably moreso in the USA, since we're more people (after all, I'm sure we invented spam, hacking, and pirated copies)...<br />The difference is...you have recourse.<br />Claims, courts, and closures.<br /><br />But, when it comes to tourism, I'm convinced that Americans, in the end, really wanna make a buck. That's why they turn over tables at restaurants, let you return items, and generally, run after your tourist dollar.Irreverent Italyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15104487411073849736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-13577078173136604272009-09-25T14:52:15.750+02:002009-09-25T14:52:15.750+02:00@Alex I honestly think it is mainly a "feelin...@Alex I honestly think it is mainly a "feeling" due to cultural differences. When you are a stranger, you tend not to feel as secure as if you were in your home country. And of course you are more subject to attacks by cheaters...<br />Look, in the place where I live (Termoli, CB) I don't fear being ripped off nor I know people who in general are frightened.<br />I do know people who do not trust the judicial system (because it's slow and not efficient) in case they are ripped off, but that's another story.<br />I remember very well, instead, that when I was a boy I had very bad experiences (aggressions and pickpocketing) while having a holiday in London.<br />But again, that was a very personal experience and I do not make it a general case.<br />all the best,<br />MicheleAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01196088248383867568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-35167991003027612842009-09-25T00:02:37.633+02:002009-09-25T00:02:37.633+02:00@Michele - I visited the site, and almost could no...@Michele - I visited the site, and almost could not escape from it! Eek!<br /><br />Point taken. However, I've met so many Italians who are afraid of being ripped off, that I get the impression that it happens a lot in Italy. And I do have some personal experience too. Not so much of rip offs, as sharp business practice.<br /><br />Back in the UK my English friends were nowhere near as worried about being ripped off. I have also noticed that the Italian concept of honesty differs from my own, and from that of other English people and Americans I know.<br /><br />Different culture, I guess.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />AlexAlexhttp://www.blogfromitaly.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-54034319530620397192009-09-18T21:24:43.665+02:002009-09-18T21:24:43.665+02:00thank you Francesca for you reply.
And for admitti...thank you Francesca for you reply.<br />And for admitting your post is biased!<br />Look, I will now do the same with this comment. It will be biased.<br />So you found some mechanic's porn on the lift to the Grotte del Cavallone.<br />Well there are people who spotted this kind of porn in the streets of downtown NY: http://gawker.com/367654/prankster-helps-american-apparel-embrace-porn<br />Or in this giveaway (hence easily takeable by children) newspaper in London.<br />And regarding the bad reviews on tripadvisor, well why don't we count the bad ones that you can read about certain hotels in USA, UK, Greece and other countries. They can easyly outnumber, in each country, the ones you can reand for Italy.<br />@Alex And regarding the attitude of the Italians in "ripping off" people (I hope you don't write it in your books... :-) well I suggest to double check this kind of site, INVENTED by fine USA entrepreneurs: http://www.fapturbo.com/?hop=zani1981<br />Shall I say that people in USA or UK are in general lavish and cheaters?<br />;-)<br />ciaoAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01196088248383867568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-55836858299991350302009-09-17T20:13:02.594+02:002009-09-17T20:13:02.594+02:00Wow, your sister was treated rather badly. Some o...Wow, your sister was treated rather badly. Some of the incidents are quite common here - chatting and insolent staff - more common in south Italy, and even Italians moan about this. Well, those from the north do!<br /><br />Whereas in days gone past ripping people off was something which could be got away with quite happily, and foreigners are a popular target, Italy will probably be forced to clean up its act as a result of word being spread via the internet. The case of the Passetto is an example of this.<br /><br />But you do get the impression that if Italians can rip you off, they will try. Though not all Italians are dishonest, enough are and this is not good. <br /><br />I don't think the same happens in the US or the UK - but then I don't know, I've never been a 'tourist' in either country.<br /><br />The recent pollution incident involving Naples' famous Blue Grotto is a classic example of Italian short sightedness, as is the sunken ship full of toxic waste which was found of the coast of Italy recently - one of many, apparently.<br /><br />Tourism is important for Italy, but despite claiming that they no it, Italy's powers that be do not do a fat lot to keep tourism clean.<br /><br />The internet could kill Italy as a holiday destination. Hope Italy is monitoring its web image, but I very much doubt it.<br /><br />Your were right Francesca - this is an interesting post.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />AlexAlexhttp://www.blogfromitaly.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-73982897313114856072009-09-17T15:24:17.941+02:002009-09-17T15:24:17.941+02:00Ciao Michele,
Thank you for your kind observatio...Ciao Michele, <br /><br />Thank you for your kind observation: This entire blog is ABSOLUTELY biased!!<br /> <br />The Post was just (an honest) summation of places, on one single trip, where Italy falls short on hospitality. The flip side of our wonderful trip was a few posts prior...<br /><br />You are very right, each country has its own quirks...and I could easily blog about any of them (especially the USA -- but so many already do). <br />But, talk to friends who've just come back from Greece, Austria, Croatia, even Morocco and Nepal, and you'll find that 'they get it'. Places banking on tourism take it quite seriously.<br /><br />You can read about Italy's lack of hospitality in almost every single (Italian) newspaper on almost a daily basis (especially in August). They even report on all of the people on Trip Advisor and Expedia, who make similar claims as mine. But, don't take my word for it, just ask the thousands who purchase fraudulent trips or rent boats that don't exist...<br /><br />But, having said all that, I've lived here 17 years for a reason! <br /><br />FM<br /><br />p.s. please read carefully. The naked women were posted in the middle of a tourist attraction - gondola lift up the mountain -- NOT in a mechanic's garage. And no, I have NOT seen similar in chair lifts in Aspen.Irreverent Italyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15104487411073849736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-91855899428241861782009-09-17T12:27:44.248+02:002009-09-17T12:27:44.248+02:00I think this post is biased.
There are of course m...I think this post is biased.<br />There are of course many things in Italy which must be fixed, but I think this is true for every beautiful country of the world.<br />Naked woman behind mechanic's garage?<br />you're telling me that you've never seen them in other countries? come on!<br />If we take all the things we don't like of whatever country and put them in a row, as it has been done in this post, the final result won't change.<br />That said, I am sure you nevertheless enjoyed your stay in Italy. Am I wrong? :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01196088248383867568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-21406860295004202242009-09-14T23:59:08.044+02:002009-09-14T23:59:08.044+02:00found this regarding the Passetto: http://www.blog...found this regarding the Passetto: http://www.blogfromitaly.com/the-rip-off-restaurant-passetto-rome/cuz liznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-79986053217417821252009-09-14T14:53:01.701+02:002009-09-14T14:53:01.701+02:00Nota Bene: I passed by the Passetto the other nigh...Nota Bene: I passed by the Passetto the other night (Friday, no less) and it was closed tighter than a drum. But, from the looks of it, it wasn't closed in the 'closed down' sense, with police tape and warnings...<br />Looks like they're taking advantage of their forced closure to remodel! (obviously, they have some extra cash on hand to launder errrr burn...)<br />Only in Italy...Irreverent Italyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15104487411073849736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-393772574400451602009-09-12T02:26:59.751+02:002009-09-12T02:26:59.751+02:00I'm sure a sense of humor always helps. Anyone...I'm sure a sense of humor always helps. Anyone who travels knows to expect some hoodwinking. <br /><br />I never had anybody steal my wallet or other items (toccaferro), but a photo shop in a town I was working in only gave me 5 photos and negatives from a roll of 36 (I was furious but I called Ms. Francesca Maggi to tell her to watch out for compromising photos of her popping up somewhere); a waitress at a shop I frequented in the same town tried to charge me for a bottle of water when I received a glass (I put up a stink, called the waitress a liar, then left paying only for what I received.) Needless to say, I never went back and told any Americans I met to avoid that extremely popular shop. <br /><br />But the funniest thing happened when a pizzeria employee carrying a large vat of tomato sauce dropped it just as I was walking out of an office in Milan. It exploded upon hitting the ground and splashed up covering me head to toe in tomato sauce. Thank goodness I had on a rain parka, though my black jeans did not fair as well. He just stood there, probably hoping I wouldn't wring his neck or have him fired (not like that would happen), then I busted out laughing. He told me the next time I was around I could get a pizza on the house. Never happened.cuz liznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-65998132660815205082009-09-11T16:16:49.598+02:002009-09-11T16:16:49.598+02:00Speaking of opportunism, Il Duce did it again, &qu...Speaking of opportunism, Il Duce did it again, "I'm the greatest PM Italy has ever had!!!" He really is the Psycho-dwarf. He's fast making my favourite country to visit the laughingstock of the world.<br /><br />As far as being taken in Italy, the one and only time was in that restaurant on the Piazza della Republica. They overcharged me for a bottle of wine. Besides the food was noticeably mediocre.Dave514https://www.blogger.com/profile/08791965245809463319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-61376929848228918242009-09-11T11:03:55.730+02:002009-09-11T11:03:55.730+02:00Looks like your sister really got around!!!
When ...Looks like your sister really got around!!!<br /><br />When will these Italians learn? It's a shame, but I learned that it stems a lot from an embedded sense of opportunism.Peter @ italyMONDO!https://www.blogger.com/profile/12656915896196787660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362454344378752317.post-57193970377278833912009-09-10T23:20:34.997+02:002009-09-10T23:20:34.997+02:00Talk about needing a vacation after your vacation!...Talk about needing a vacation after your vacation! <br /><br />Again, I must ask why Italians think only Americans represent greed? They need a mirror. Don't get me wrong. Italy is a beautiful place to visit, and you do find some lovely people. But the extent to which so many go in order to screw whomever helps them make a living is just pure and simple greed.<br /><br />I'm sure it happens everywhere so some extent. Unfortunately, Italians have the reputation of raising it to an art form, though unworthy of appreciation.cuz liznoreply@blogger.com