US LADIES IN ROME GETTING THE BRUNT

03/23/03 | me

[Ippolita]

On 23/3/03 2:41 am, "Johnine Colonna"

My husband and I had an interesting experience tonight. We were meeting friends at a well known restaurant we have been going to for a quarter of a century. Our friends had made the reservation. We were the first to arrive. The owner said.."You are American. Why don't you go back to America! This is my house and I don't receive you." Not to say that this guy is any charmer, but it seems even home... after all this is our home, an anti American back-lash has truly begun. Interesting. He did not even want us to stay standing in his restaurant while we waited for our friends to arrive, to make another program. He said, Americans out or I'll call the carbinari. Stupid and he was far out of line. But there it is. The chappie is known for his bad nature....but this was a bit much. Especially on a Saturday night. Fortunately we are well received in a number of places and could relocate. Is this going to be repeated? I did the 70's when the unpopular Viet Nam war was on and never had naughtiness to such an extreme. What next? Johnine Colonna

Ladies, This is much more than naughtiness, this is discrimination. It is illegal in Italy for someone running a public venue like a restaurant to behave in this way. Please post the name of the restaurant so we can avoid it. Also maybe we should lodge a formal complaint somewhere. AWAR is non-political, and its precise motivation is to promote understanding between Italy/US, that something like this should happen to an AWAR member is very sad. In the Iraqi instance Italy is also an ally of the US. Behavior like this should not be left to ferment on its own. I'm passing this onto the Board as well. Meanwhile, as a dual national (Italian citizenship acquired in 1994), I would like to extend an apology to Johnine Colonna and her friends for such a rude reception on behalf of all those Italians who would never behave in this way, even if they were not in accordance with our governments stand at this moment. God bless our troops and all of those who innocently get the brunt! Best -- Ippolita Francesca Venturi Bernardini Awar Activities Coordinator

[Ippolita]

You have read an e-mail from a US lady to the AWAR talk-list, and my reply as Activities Coordinator. This kind of behaviour is unbelievable. I thought some of you might be interested. Any (realist - remember we are all ladies!) suggestions of how we can react to this kind of behaviour?

[LuisBasco]

Stay home?

[Ippolita]

Kind of limiting wouldn't you say?

[IronJack]

I guess you really can't expect much else. After all, look how we're treating the French here in the States. With just cause, I might add. But I'm sure this pasta pincher feels the same way.

I'd suggest you avoid him, and avoid sullying his establishment with any of that dirty American money.

[Leroy S. Mort]

No soup for YOU !!

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Keep your money here in the U.S.

[CaliGirlGodHelpMe]

First, I would have smiled calmly and said, "By all means, please DO call the Carabinieri."
Second...well, let's just say there are ways to deal with unpleasant restauranteurs. Mice, rats, cockroaches, et cetera come to mind. The latter are far more easily concealed and effective. In the summer, there's always the old "dog poop in the air conditioning vent" maneuver. Extremely effective, but of course you have to wait for the warm weather. In bocca lupo, ciao!

[knuthom]

I just returned from Italy. I personally met no one who was rude or anti-American. But there were "PACE" flags everywhere(a rainbow peace flag). It seems to be something that mostly appeals to the young and shallow-minded.