When in Rome BEWARE

Go to Paris, picnicing allowed, problem solved.

I can see it now-Six months ago I ate a gelato on the Spanish Steps. Today I got a ticket for 200 euros. Do I have to pay it? If I don't, will I be able to eat gelato again?

They've actually been doing this for several years. I watched police shoo away mostly Roman teens hanging out and eating. The article I read implied that tourists getting fined are the ones flagrantly ignoring the law - ie having full course meals/picnics - not the ones enjoying a gelato or sandwich. But perhaps we now need to warn people about ZTL's and public eating...

Thanks Douglas. I've not been to Rome in 8 years so didn't know they'd been doing this. That's why I posted the news story.

Claudia, I just saw the article in today's news and was about to post it myself, thanks.

Some have complained about toilets in Italy not having any TP available...that ticket you received for eating a granola bar while walking up the steps might come in quite handy after all. Plus, what else are young people in Rome supposed to do...32% of them are unemployed? Good god, aren't there bigger fish to fry?

In 2008 we were sitting on a bench in the Piazza San Marco in Venice when the elderly Polish woman seated next to us was busted when she pulled a tangerine out of her purse. She was not fined but she had to put the tangerine back in her purse or throw it away.

Go to Paris, picnicing allowed, problem solved. In Paris - not on the grass - s'il vous plait

You can picnic on the grass in Paris at the Eiffel Tower (Champs de Mars).

There are also places in Luxembourg Gardens in Paris where you can picnic on the grass.

I heard : the grass near the Eifel Tower in Paris is saturated with human urine.

I think this may have something to do with trash accumulating at public monuments - good for Rome for trying to keep its beautiful public spaces trash-free. If you think this rule is tough, watch what happens when someone drops a gum wrapper on the street in Zurich.

Just another urban story perpetrated by lack of knowledge. If was, the grass would be dead.

Not certain where Ron got his info on urine on the grass in Paris. That's a pretty funny story actually. Sweet Jesus Ron - take your meds. I picnic there each summer and have never smelled anything like urine. The local gendarme are everywhere around the tower both day and night. Not gonna happpen. Not on their watch. My next book on Satire is going to be titled - you got it - "Urine on the Grass." LOL!

Maybe Manet got it wrong. Maybe it wasn't luncheon at all.

Ah - Denny, Denny, Denny you are a very funny man indeed. You must know that it was "Marcantonio Raimondi, after Raphael" not Ed that initaly soiled the grass or was it the earlier "River Gods"? In any case Ron has RUINED all my future picnics on the tower lawns. Best Wishes.

I heard : the grass near the Eifel Tower in Paris is saturated with human urine. Nope. That's what happens when you rely on I heard.

When I was there 3 weeks ago, all the lawns in front of the Eiffel Tower were fenced off so no one could sit, stand, picnic, or do anything on them. Men could manage to pee on it; women would have more difficulty.

How is it that there are so many in this thread with specific expertise related to knowing whether or not anyone ever pisses in the Champs de Mars? Is that even possible...I mean, how in the world could you possibly ever know if drunks are pissing in the park at night or not, for example? Drunks do this everywhere all the time. As long as your shorts aren't soaking up fresh urine during your picnic the following noon hour, who cares? Find a bench, or at least a spot right out in the middle of the grass. Maybe it's less likely someone would pee way out there in the middle of the park, when there are lots of bushes and trees all around the perimeter. It's not urine-soaked to be sure, so you're not going to have to worry about it squishing all up between your toes as you walk through the grass, but it's certainly probable (almost guaranteed, really) that someone pissed somewhere in that park the night before. Sounds gross, but, hey, it's better than tailgating on Saturday. Those people will do it right there in the grass where they're partying and just keep on going (men/women...doesn't matter). I've done a lot of tailgating over the years all over Big 12 country...it's the same everywhere. No worries. Enjoy your picnic...I'll wave at you from the park bench (just in case). BTW, did Urine Town ever make it to Paris?

Well, it is a Euro-pee-an website.

Paul, are you the same Paul who just tried to get a rise by posting (2 posts before this one) Must-see sights in Titty Hill, UK Has anyone been? Paul Newfoundland, CA 10/9/12 or is there another person with your name and location? Welcome to the Helpline if you have actual questions for us hard working volunteers.

Try to find Newfoundland on a California map.

Good one karen! I'll remember that one when I go down the stairs to a metro station - wheeew, they are the worst, much worse than outside in a large park.

There is Newfoundland, CAlifornia -only Newfoundland, CAnada
Hmm - 1 post - could this be the guy posting all the Spam threads every weekend?

Doesn't matter about Paul from Newfoundland anymore. He's gone. Webmaster to the rescue.