Italians are pretty notorious for their romantic style. They woo hard and long, and don’t take no for an answer. Many girls in the program have had men “fall in love” with them over one night in a bar. PDA is rampant in the streets--the young and old alike. It is both adorable, and sickening. Teenagers are not very respectful of others, and are not very sly in their affections.
Things were fine in the winter, but as Spring arrived (and winter coats left behind), men were far more forward.Before, you tended only to be approached in bars, but it now happens often on the street. Men are much more forward than in the United States, and thus you have to be much ruder. Italian women are very standoffish to men, and as most American girls aren’t, Italians assume they are easy. If a man says Ciao to you (or the famous Ciao, bella), you’re expected to ignore them. Even if you reply curtly, they will take it as an invitation to continue after you. This was hard to adjust to, coming from the Midwest.
Different things qualify as racy here. Europe is a very liberal place--huge, 20 ft advertisements for women’s lingerie are common, and nude advertisements for cream etc arent uncommon. Despite this, Italian women dress rather conservatively, and everyone dresses up more than Americans. Women do not wear tank tops, to my knowledge. I do see short skirts, but mostly with tall boots and tights. Bare skin is rather strange in general--clothes tend to be well fitted, on the tighter side. I suppose that is why I get singled out as American, even when I’m wearing conservative skirts, but especially in a tank top. It’s very strange, as this would never occur in the States, but ce la vie!
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