<p>I’m with you on this one, Schmaltz (even though you are a man). What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is mine. We can have women’s groups, women’s studies, women’s centers and special programs to address every possible mental and physical ailment that could befall a woman. You want something for men? Well, go to a man cave, or a bar, they say. It’s all hypocritical nonsense.</p>
<p>I’m chaperoning my daughter’s class on their senior trip to Italy. We’ll be in Florence and Rome for about 8 days.</p>
<p>I’ll be one of three chaperones and these are good kids (won’t sneak off, etc.) so I’m anticipating a fun and relaxing time. But my main job, I think, will be eyeing the buffer zone between the students and the locals.</p>
<p>Maybe somebody has some advice on the threat presented by over-friendly Italian men, and pickpockets. The last time I was in Italy was during college and I recall the men continuously invading my private space. Is this a cultural stereotype or should I always be on the lookout while everybody else is enjoying their gelato? </p>
<p>Thanks, and ciao.</p>
<p>Pickpockets are a huge threat. I would tell the girls not to bring valuable jewelry or watches. Figure out the safest way to hang onto wallets/purses. I work with alot of people who travel in Italy. Beware small commotions, it is common for a slight ruckus to happen in front of you, you get distracted, brushed up against, wallet gone. One guy told me they walked off the cruise ship, and within minutes a “rat faced weasel” made off with his wife’s $20K Rolex. I have a 5 dollar Rolex sitting right here that looks just fine, why anyone wears that kind of watch is beyond me, but still…pickpockets are a major threat. Some people stick decoy wallets with a couple of bucks in them, in their back pockets.</p>
<p>“This thread is beginning to have that “ode to <<<fill in=”” the=“” blank=“” missing=“” poster=“”>>>" feel to it, only the lament is to the old pol forum. IMO, if something geels boring, then by all means liven it up."</fill></p>
<p>Certainly, there are those that enjoy livening up the duller forums by posting vicious personal attacks, waiting for the person to heatedly respond…and then editing their earlier attacking posts so it appears as if the responder is overreacting.</p>
<p>Then again, most of us are not creative nor destructive enough to enjoy livening up forums in that way.</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>How long is that comment going to last?!</p>
<p>Taking votes! Hose alone or should I set out the Slip 'n Slide?</p>
<p>I vote for the slip and slide. Will there be popsicles afterwards?</p>
<p>What? No cupcakes? You disappoint us all.</p>
<p>I guess I could have said Pie, in honor of Pi Day, but popsicles seem much better when trying to cool off.</p>
<p>Slip 'n Slide? Popsicles? Who are you people and what is wrong with you? Don’t you have any consideration for those of us whom live in icy, cold and rainy places? Are you rubbing in the sunny warm temperatures of where you live, merely to flaunt it in the faces of those of us whom are suffering? You’re probably typing from the beach.</p>
<p>My God, I don’t think it has stopped raining out here for over a week.
I must add, “Pi Day?” Samurai, you geek! Okay, we’re celebrating it too, weirdly enough.</p>
<p>Too boring, eh. Should I take my clothes off? Wanna watch me post in the nude? Just kidding. Or am I… How would you know? </p>
<p>I like the advice I get when I post a question on the cafe. Can be boring at times, but lots of good info can be had.</p>
<p>Yes, busdriver, I could be posting from the beach. But I am not, today. Sorry about the freezing, icy weather. It’s freaking March. When does it get nice for you? </p>
<p>It’s a little chilly. I might have to put on a sweater. ;)</p>
<p>I am thinking about serving pie for dinner. Maybe chicken pot pie. Then pie for dessert. Would that be overkill?</p>
<p>Yes. it is getting boring lately (since elimination of politics talk?).</p>
<p>sunnyflorida, you are really rubbing it in with your username now, aren’t you? As far as posting in the nude, well I suppose it depends. If you’re a guy and you don’t look half bad that way, I think most of us women would be just fine with it.</p>
<p>That is one thing, tigerdad. Some subjects are never boring (as long as everyone doesn’t agree, then it gets tedious).</p>
<p>Landshark, I think I am annoyed with you right now!! Sometimes it gets nice for us in June. Or August. Briefly:D</p>
<p>busdriver, are you here in the PNW, too? </p>
<p>yours truly,</p>
<p>waterlogged as usual</p>
<p>Oh, busdriver, don’t be annoyed. Sometimes it’s boring never having weather. I remember living in weather and I appreciate what I have every day. </p>
<p>This climate does come with the earthquake risk, though. I don’t think I grasped how significant that risk was until I watched it unfold in Japan this week. The likelihood of a big one in my neighborhood would be unbelievably catastrophic. </p>
<p>I can’t imagine what it’s like in Japan, right there. </p>
<p>Okay, enough serious talk. Back to the ad hominems.</p>
<p>The snow here has finally melted and we are supposed to have 60 degrees on Wednesdays, which here in the non-water-polo regions is quite warm feeling…</p>
<p>Also, I would prefer if people do not post naked. Thank You.</p>
<p>We have children watching the board.</p>
<p>Yeah, and the Slip 'n Slide isn’t chlorinated…</p>
<p>Good point. Gross, but good.</p>
<p>Yes, Deborah, PNW. This is an ugly year for us!</p>
<p>I don’t know, naked slip n’ slide actually sounds more painful than gross. What sounds better, is that if it ever stops raining I could go out to the hot tub and pretend I’m somewhere warm like Samurai is.</p>
<p>And if I was really paranoid, I’d suspect some cruel poster just tipped off the police, to give my son his first speeding ticket 5 minutes ago. $353 for going 38mph in a 20mph zone (he says he couldn’t have been going over 30mph). Which one of you heartless cc posters did that one, ay?</p>
<p>I think I need to bring a bottle of wine out to that hot tub. If it ever stops raining. :(</p>