Have you recently booked a holiday or semester abroad? Would you like to educate yourself to avoid being swindled? If the answer is yes, then this article is for you! Have no fear, the good news is most scams in Italy follow consistent techniques throughout every region. Follow these tips to ensure the sweetest experience.
First and foremost, please leave that which you can’t live without at home! Luckily, Italy has low crime rates, but it is one of the highest-rated European countries for pickpocketing. Always keep your wallet, phone, and or any valuables in your front pockets or better yet, away in a closed cross-body bag. I have personally witnessed jewelry snatched off necks and phones grabbed out of hands. For this reason, you should never place belongings out or under tables where they are easily accessible, nor on the back of your chair. Before arriving in Italy you should have photocopies of your visa and identification pages from your passport printed out and with you at all times. If possible, leave your passports in a safe or carefully hidden back at your accommodation.
Always watch where you step. Besides the obvious problem that results in cities of stray dogs/cats and horse and buggy tours, scammers have begun a new tactic. They will place objects for sale such as paintings on the ground. These are only their day job fronts, but their intentions are to occupy populated or touristy areas. When you step too close or accidentally on whatever it is they may be selling, they insist you pay for it. If you are looking to purchase original artwork from artisans, I would advise not to purchase anything found on the ground. Note this is not to be confused with the street artists who sketch murals on sidewalks. Those actual artists create solely for the joy their passion provides the city. Donations are as you please.
Italy is a beautiful and romantic country, but be wary of those charming you. Do not accept any flowers, bracelets, or photos even if they are “free”. Most vendors will approach you in a friendly manner to make conversation, but they will become hostile if you don’t give them what they want. Do not pick up a bracelet if it is thrown at you and please do not allow them to place one on you. In wearing one, you have just marked yourself to all other vendors as someone who is easy to swindle. If you absolutely must buy something or feel the need to donate, discuss the price ahead of time and pay exact. They will often tell you your donation is “not enough” or that they don’t have change.
Oh, and those “free limoncello shots” you were offered at the restaurant, clarify with your waiter that they won’t appear on your bill.
My Sugar, Firenze
When you have done so well avoiding all the scams of the cities that you want to treat yourself to a sweet, know that even the gelato business scams! Yes, that’s right! A marketing tactic is to stack the gelato up high into mounds to make it more appealing to the eye and draw customers in. However, this is an indication that it is not being eaten or properly covered and is therefore of a lower, freezer burn quality. Instead, always opt to purchase the gelato found in tubs or covered metal containers (as shown above).