Why Italy

Italian men......?

I'm traveling to Rome next summer, and my mother recently acquired the knowledge on how friendly Italian men are known to be. She thinks I'm going to be attacked or something....any advice on how to reassure her I'll be fine? By the way, I'll only be 18 when I go and travelling alone........

Public Comments

1. ...uummm... if you look even half decent, I'd be worried, too, if I were her!
2. The are aggresive, but for the most part harmless, plus a lot of them are HOT!!!
3. thats ridiculous, im very good looking been to italy many times and they are like men anywhere else when they see a good looking blonde
4. No, Italian men are sooo friendly. I went to Rome with my fiance Gianni, and the people were soo helpful and hospitable. You'll have soo much fun and will feel at home. Have fun!
5. It's true, it's true. Especially if you ride the subway in Rome, prepare to be groped, pinched and fondled. But aside from that, they are relatively harmless. Just learn how to insult their mothers in Italian, and they will keep their distance. Italian men are very attached to their mamas.
6. The farther South you go, the more foward the men. I was in Italy for eighteen months and was "assaulted" once at a bus stop in the middle of the afternoon, and had a random guy kiss me on the lips on the bus. The first one shook me up a bit, but I just laughed off the second. It's very important to be traveling legally, so that if you are attacked you can go to the police without worrying about being deported or arrested! To stay safe, avoid dark alleys and narrow lanes- stay in well-lit areas with other people around. If you're on a bus or train, try to sit near a family with children. If a man hollars at you, smile politely and then turn your head away and ignore him. If he follows you, go into a bar or cafe and wait him out- he'll leave. Memorize the emergency phone numbers (from my experience, if you accidentally call the police they won't connect you to the medical services, you have to re-dial) and carry your cell-phone with you.
7. In 1972, my mother was groped just standing in the street posing for a picture during the day time. We thought it was pretty funny. We went to Italy last summer and never had a problem. Just be sensible and careful like other places else. Best to have someone with you.
8. No, Italian men are OK. It depends where you go. As I know, Napoli is a very dangerous city and maybe it's better if you don't go there (only if you're with a big group of tourists). But...generally speaking, they are friendly, they can make compliments ("ciao, bella!") but never attack you. In Italy there are so many tourists in the summer, so it can't be dangerous. Have a nice trip and take care!
9. tell her u r a big girl now
10. u will b fine,just dont present urself in a bad manner...and be very alert,most people dont attack people who r alert.
11. Watch what you wear. You will be judged on what you wear. If you wear short shorts and a halter top you will will get paid more attention. If you dress like the local girls then you will be fine.
12. honey, let me tell you, i went to Italy last summer, and the men there are gorgeous! your mom is right, they ARE quite friendly, but it'd be really nice if you went with a group of friends, that's what i did. so that way your not alone and the guys will kinda back off if they see your in a group. becareful though to not get into a car with one of them. especially the mini motorcycles they drive, i think their mopeds or vespas. my mother was worried too, my parents didn't go with me to europe when i went. be sure to stay with a group of 3 or more. have a guy friend with you girls, if it's possible. i know your gonna have an AWESOME time! be safe! and eat as much gelato as you can for me!!!!! there's nothing like it back in the US.(where i live)