When I was in Italy one thing I noticed was all the people getting money for doing nothing. Especially in Rome. There were lots of beggars, gypsies, African sellers (selling fake goods), not to mention the tour guides. All of them were trying to get my money, that my husband works so darn hard for back in the states.

 

Yes we could afford for me to spend the $1,500 to go to Italy (a bargin if you want to know the truth), because we sold property behind our house awhile back. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten to go. What we did was when we got money from a car accident I was in we made it grow, we invested in property and didn't waste it on penny annie things.

 

So, why is the thought process so different in Rome especially, but I would say Italy in general is lacsidasical (sp) about work ethic all together. I see their social problems steming directly from the type of government they have.

 

In Italy there are lots of social programs, food, shelter, medicine is all free. So why would someone want to work, let alone work hard to get it? This is why my friend saw a lady who had been begging go around the corner take off her rags and get into her Mercedes!

 

There is an attitude of "you owe me", that is abhorant to me to be honest. There is actually a prevelant joke "Domani Domani" (translated tomorrow tomorrow), meaning that is what they say when asked when something will be done, or when they will work on it. They live in a very beautiful place, but they don't seem to want to keep it up. Yes they want it to be kept up, but no one seems to want to do it.

 

I don't know why some liberal politicians don't notice this, or care. I do not want to see laziness and slothfulness rewarded any more than it already is. Reward the hardworking entrepenures and things will get done better and faster, because industry will demand it. But reward the sloth and everyone will then do the minimum they have to do to get what they want.

 

Want a Gucci? and Armani?, Don't WORK! Go to the Roman forum.. you young man, hunch over (don't forget a stick for a cane), dress in rags, and cover yourself (remember the gloves), and sit and put our your tin, act pitiful and in about an hour you can go out and have the finest wine and the best cheese in the world, dressed in your new Armani suit.

 

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If you want tourist info, the book below is excellent for that, it is huge over 500 pages, and is more an encyclopedia of each location, rather than just a visitors guide.