Do you distance yourself from British tourists?
Feb 24th 2014, 10:09 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Piemonte / Cheshire
Posts: 128
Do you distance yourself from British tourists?
I am British and proud of it, but have spent the best part of thirty years distancing myself from British tourists in Italy: (The guffawing freeloaders who nurse a glass of Prosecco for ages at 'aperitivo' time in Torinese bars whilst stuffing themselves stupid with the abundant 'free food' on offer: The city slickers who think they own Tuscany and Umbria – and patronize the locals: The gung-ho skiers who make 'après ski' in a small alpine resort resemble a rowdy Friday night in a British provincial city centre: And woe betide being thought of as British tourist in Florence, Venice or Rome – as one might have to check the 'conto' for fear of being overcharged.)
But the other day I found myself defending my compatriots at Turin airport: At one of the airside bars I noticed that they were serving the (€1,60) cappuccini in cardboard cups. I asked if I could have mine served in a 'proper' cup and was told that this would not be a problem, as the cardboard cups are used for 'gli inglesi', because of their tendency of nicking the crockery! I protested, and pointed out that I was English and feel affronted by what I had just been told. In time honoured fashion my objection was deflected by the barista, who went on to explain: "Well, it's not just the English: It's the Russians too – and they're worse!"
But the other day I found myself defending my compatriots at Turin airport: At one of the airside bars I noticed that they were serving the (€1,60) cappuccini in cardboard cups. I asked if I could have mine served in a 'proper' cup and was told that this would not be a problem, as the cardboard cups are used for 'gli inglesi', because of their tendency of nicking the crockery! I protested, and pointed out that I was English and feel affronted by what I had just been told. In time honoured fashion my objection was deflected by the barista, who went on to explain: "Well, it's not just the English: It's the Russians too – and they're worse!"
Feb 24th 2014, 6:45 pm
#2
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Do you distance yourself from British tourists?
I do. My car has a Union Jack registration plate on the front (my state is a "rear plate only" state), but when we drove to Disney in Florida, I took the plate off and replaced it with a NASCAR driver plate that I used to have on my pick-up truck. Sure, I still sound British, but I didn't want to be driving around Orlando advertising the fact that I'm British. 
Feb 24th 2014, 9:51 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 287
Re: Do you distance yourself from British tourists?
We all know that the Brits we meet as expats in any country are not at all those we might associate with back in the old country.
Your only thing in common is the language.
I have found that there are more Italians (and French and Spanish and Turks) who I have more in common with than expat Brits
Your only thing in common is the language.
I have found that there are more Italians (and French and Spanish and Turks) who I have more in common with than expat Brits
Feb 27th 2014, 7:03 am
#4
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Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Disneylandia
Posts: 1,824
Re: Do you distance yourself from British tourists?
No way! They have provided my living for most of the past 50 years.by by dicette l'inglese.
