How to Discourage a Man From Bothering You in Italy

A woman traveling alone in Italy long enough will inevitably encounter at least one Italian man whose persistent attention or come-ons are unwelcome. The following steps should help shake an annoying man who follows you across the piazza professing his love.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fake Wedding Ring
• Italian Dictionaries
• Italian Phrase Books
• Airline Tickets

1. Ignore him. He's looking for attention, so if you don't pay him any, he may get bored and look elsewhere.

2. If that doesn't work, try giving him a look that means, "Don't even think about messing with me, you speck of dirt." It's important to appear confident even if that's not the way you're feeling.

3. Walk away. If someone sits down next to you, get up and leave without comment. If someone walks alongside you uninvited, turn around and walk in the other direction.

4. If the previous steps don't work, tell him, "Lasciami in pace," which means, "Leave me alone."

5. He's still there? Invent a husband or boyfriend. Try, "Sono qui con il mio ragazzo," (I'm here with my boyfriend), then walk away again.

6. If all else fails, raise a ruckus and embarrass him into leaving you alone. Shout, "Aiuto!" (Help!) or call for "la polizia."

Tips & Warnings

• The more confident and assertive you appear, the less likely you are to be bothered by men. They often enjoy preying on women whom they think will be shocked or flustered by their advances.
• Don't expect men to leave you alone just because you tell them you're an American and you don't speak Italian. They'll enjoy the opportunity to practice their pick-up lines in English.
• Most men who pester you will be harmless, but always be aware of your safety. If you feel at all threatened, immediately look for a well-lit, densely populated place for safety.

[nickmgray]

on 2/7/2009 having lived in Italy most my life, I can say that they men simply love the tourist women. The best thing to do is alway ignore them. Don't get confrontational with them, they feed off it.

on 3/23/2006 Two girl friends of mine pretended to be lesbians when traveling through Italy. It helped them!

on 11/22/2005 Buy a cheap (fake) gold band and wear it on your ring finger. Also, if someone wolf-whistles at you, just smile and keep walking, it is most often meant as a compliment.

on 11/22/2005 If you are being followed or bothered, go into the nearest cafe or boutique and pretend the clerk is a family member. The guy will make himself scare pretty fast. of course, after you lose him, explain to the clerk!

on 11/22/2005 if you are blonde, wear a hat. If you are on a tour with other people, just go over to a guy and tell him under your breath what's happening. Above all else, DO NOT tell the man that you are American.