29 July 2005

Beer and pizza

The Independent reports on a major rift between Italy and Germany on a guide to good behaviour on the beach:
"The guide has been issued by the Italian Union of Bathing Establishments (SIB). It consists of a series of "suggestions" for good behaviour on beaches, some of which critics allege are targeted at northern European holiday habits.
As well as nudity and drinking, the tourists' habit of hanging clothes from seaside umbrellas is also frowned upon. Yesterday's Bild claimed that the Italian authorities "want to ruin our holidays" by banning German tourists from such practices.
A war of words erupted as the La Stampa of Turin newspaper attacked Bild for "stigmatising the Italian summer", by claiming there are so many rules banning activities on Italian beaches that "Germans are unable to enjoy themselves".
Bild claimed it was bewildering for northern visitors to Italy to be faced with bans such as playing football, eating noisily, drying swimming costumes and changing outside cabins.
The anti-beer drinking sentiment in the guide, La Stampa observed, "is a heresy for Germans, not unlike outlawing pizza in Italy"."

Hmm. No mention of towels on deckchairs.

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