Guess he won't be visiting Venice anytime soon.
Posted on 06/05/2007 12:31:07 PM PDT by Sleeping Beauty
Officials in Venice — as well as the handful of actual Italians still living in the lagoon city — have declared themselves fed up with a certain category of tourist: the pot-bellied, bare-chested, food-chomping, trash-spewing hordes that peak from now until autumn.
To combat what they see as a scourge, Venice authorities are distributing leaflets and posting posters with a new set of rules.
In St. Mark's Square, it is now forbidden to sit or recline under the porticos and on the steps along the Procuratie Nuove and the Ala Napoleonica, the buildings that ring the city's iconic St. Mark's Square. And don't even think of stopping alongside the Doge's Palace to nibble on a panino, a gelato or another snack.
"It is forbidden to stop to eat or drink anywhere other than at tables set out by public restaurants," the leaflet says. "It is forbidden to litter or leave behind wastepaper, cans, bottles and any other type of solid or liquid waste."
Even the sale of takeout food, a staple for tourists, is being banned around St. Mark's Square.
The trash, pizza crusts and pigeon excrement that coat the square are of particular concern to city officials and others who maintain that the rubbish is ruining the site, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
"I've been saying for some time that drastic measures are required," Augusto Salvadori, a senior tourism official, told the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera.
And so, for now, the "decency patrols," as the local press calls them, will enforce the new rules.
Violators who litter, eat in undesignated areas or loiter under impermissible porticos may be fined up to 500 euros, or about $675.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
At first glance, I like the sloppiness crackdown. What about you?
Guess he won't be visiting Venice anytime soon.
It was overcrowded and yes the trash bins were overflowing.
Worst of all were the “gypsy” vendors (Africans actually) who placed blankets laden with knock-off purses and cheap sunglasses wherever they could block foot traffic. They were a rough looking bunch and I didn;t want to cross them, but after a while we had no choice but to walk right over their wares.
I kinda like it too. I want to smack people here who drop trash two steps from a garbage can. All part of the general coarsening of society, in my opinion.
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In an effort to reduce the trash left in the famous square and protect the environment, the city is introducing a series of regulations for St. Mark’s and the surrounding area. They include:
No eating;
No drinking;
No sitting;
No littering;
No beach wear (keep your shirt on);
No sleeping or camping;
No wandering pets;
No biking, roller-blading or scootering;
No graffiti
Six people hired by the city, dubbed “decency patrols” by at least one Italian publication, will start patrolling the area in June. Their mission, Vianello said, will be to nicely remind people to follow the rules.
Local police will be called to deal with those who don’t obey.
Probably the same ones who are too lazy to put their shopping carts where they belong.
I can’t see how they tell the difference, to tell the truth. Italy is probably the filthiest country I have ever visited.
I’m happy with the crackdown on littering, etc. However, I will miss being able to stroll around the square eating a small lemon gelato.
If you wear a sleek Armani suit, they may not hassle you.
This is good policy. I agree with this.
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What I resent there is the hefty fee to use the public facilities. If your hotel isn't handy, you have to fork over the Euros.
You guys can have it, I’d rather be out in the woods any day.
I was in the woods yesterday & today. Tired my horse out a little.
Bravo! It needs to be done in more cities in Italy.
No ice cream, no cell phones, no smoking, and no dogs, but thou mayest pick thy nose.
Oh, I thought that was the international sign for “Tut-tut”.
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