Why are the italian employees so rude??

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Lisa D.

Forgive me if I'm mistaken, But Im getting the vibe that you are one of those American tourists that compare your travel surroundings to home and if you don't get the conveniences you have at home, its a big deal.
America uses ice in glasses... America is open 24/7...

I traveled with someone who obsessed about the size of the coffee cups. They wanted "a big American size mug of coffee". the Italian glasses of coffee were too small... she asked why every morning at breakfast...

I also traveled with a girl who's lasagne was slightly overcooked in Luxembourg. Rather than think the chef might have just...well... over cooked it... she had to say loudly and in public. "I guess the people of Luxembourg overcook their food".
... generalizations make me cringe.

I am an American, and very proud of it, but when I travel, I don't compare, and I actually hope I see something different than what I experience and see at home.

I have been to Capri twice and was always greeted with warmth. Treat them with respect and you will receive it in return.

CiaoBella

everywhere is different. just like in the US, some places allow samples, some do not. i think you're making a stereotype because not all places are rude to you if you ask questions about the menu. when my friend came to visit me, she asked plenty of questions and the waiter was nice. if you give attitude, they will give attitude back.

ice isn't rare... it's just uncommon to put in your drinks there.

not everything is closed from 1-7... you're exaggerating. things are usually closed from apprx 12-3. they close for lunch because they go home to eat it with their family.

Stop_Drop & Roll

How good is your Italian? If you're not only ordering in English, but expecting them to be patient while you ask questions which could have been answered if you spoke the local lingo, I can understand his frustration...you've been bugging us on 'Answers' for weeks with dozens of questions that could have been cleared with a good tour guide!

Just Tom

I have visited Venezia, Firenze, Milano, Turino, Roma, Bologna, Verona, Pesaro, Foggia, Vieste, Napoli, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii and most places in between them.

Not once did I ever experience rudeness from those employees in the restaurant/hotel/tourism businesses.

I don't know why are judging all Italian employees because of the actions of one (who may or may not have had good reason to be rude)..

Most places close from 12-4 or later depending on where you are. They go home and have dinners or lunches with theri families.

Michelle S

LISA D is 100% right!!! Also maybe it is you that may be the rude american that cant accept to another culture!!!! Either accept or dont go! Simeple as that! They are the nicest people in the world!!! I should know my husband is from Italy and his relatives treated me better than at a US 6 star resort!!!

simpleword

As you know, Italy is one of the most tourist visited countries in the world. So, they are tired from tourists and sometimes it makes them rude. It's really hot in south Italy during the summertime, that's why they close it. That ice needs to be kept somewhere, so maybe there was a lack of fridges. You know that south Italians like to spend a lot of time with they family members and friends. Not with tourists. They like your money, but your questions are annoying for them. I hope it will help you to understand them better.

iTaLiAnA

Mabey he didn't understand what you were asking for the sample........ I have not experienced this in the restaurants, but I live in the north of Italy......... ?????? mabey the southerns get mean in the hot :P ehehe as for the ice, we dont use it in the drinks like in America..... everything is closed from 1pm - 7pm is because the workers go home to eat with the family and take a rest from working for a while....... hope your visit gets better..... come visit the north part :)

zimbo

In famous places, generally overcrowded with tourists it is hard to meet with the real Italians. Italy has plenty of places to be explored, which are not in a similar situation and where you still find pleasant people.
Asking to sample gelato at Capri, is like trying the same at McDonald.

james c

there was one time in Singapore I tried on the electrical massage chair; and I fell a sleep; the salesmand woke me up by putting massage chair to high speed on my head, knocking my head to stay awake. well i think it's rude - but i think it's too much for me to sleep when he is on target selling the massage chair.

same with you - if the ice cream sales is selling and people just ask for trial once, and again and again with no sales he will probably answer "no" - and you know now adays people have kind of syndrome that they get bored easily - and can't be bothered about you whether you want to buy or not. or if he's having a tooth ache - you will probably get a nasty answer

anna*

first: we don't say please and thank you..we say no and yes..second: maybe we are rude but it's our culture third :depends in which period you went as in summer especially after July a lot of shops close..fourth: we don't have time to waste and we are sick of tourists who pretend to be always treat as home..fifth :we have tourists all the year and sorry but if you like Italy you have also to accept people and culture OK? bye

Passer@ Scopaiol@ +23

beacuse we are stupid and not so open and friendly with tourists as everybody think.
it's a pity.
when i went to NYC 2 months ago, i noticed that everybody were wonderful in our regards, if i noticed that... it's couse here they are rude!

not everything close to 1-7 but 1-4. because our work day in public shops is 10-13 and 16-20. in the rest of europe or usa, all day long.
it's the same with school, you go 8-16, and we go only during the morning until 1pm.
it's a way of life.

Dan D

I have to agree with you. After 30 years i decided to take a trip back to Italy and take my children. I can't think of anywhere i have been so poorly treated. Yes i am a tourist taking my children to visit the country where their Father and Grandparents were born. But it was such a shame that most people were so rude. The fact that they are sick of tourists doesn't really make it better if you can't be nice to people spending so much money and enjoying so much of your beautiful country/cities then you shouldn't be in that position. It can really spoil a holiday and put people off. My children are left with that view of parts of Italy now.
By the way I can speak Italian well.

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