"Get Lost" phrase

I was a bit disappointed that I was never called upon to use the very mean Italian phrase I learned before we went. Alas...

Basta! Vada via! (pronounced "BAHS-tah. VAH-dah VEE-yah")
It means "Enough! Go away!"

Or just "Basta!"

Speaking might escalate. Ignore them and don't make eye contact.

It's not been my experience in Italy that speaking will escalate the situation. Quite the contrary. It lets them know that you're not a patsy. In the US, however, I would ignore and walk away.

I've done the ignoring thing. I've said a firm (but not mean) "no" in my best nonexistent italian accent, both have worked fine for me.

Probably best not to speak Italian. Ignore them or a firm "no" in English and walk away.

I believe that in one of RS's books he recommended saying "va via!" which translates to "go away!" I always say it firmly, hold up my hand and walk away. It has worked every time for me.

And of course everyone is free to say whatever they want. But I don't understand why someone would think is it better to speak in English (thereby confirming that you're a clueless tourist) than to say a quick "Basta" in Italian, raising at least a little doubt in their mind that maybe you didn't just fall off the turnip truck and you know your way around Italy. :-) Why would using a foreign language (English) be better?

And forgive me for quibbling, but "Va via" is not correct. You should use the imperative instead - "Vada via". "Va via" means "It goes away," (although ironically that is what you're hoping for). :-)

Anyway, that's the great thing about this board. Lots of different experiences and perspectives get shared.

No....same in English as it is Italian.

I've heard Italian security guards using the term "Vai" to get rid of scammers. I've been told that this isn't a "polite" term, but never had occasion to try it.

"Vai" is the informal verb for "go." Informal means the "tu" conjugation, used with children, relatives, close friends, never with strangers, business associates, etc. It is only impolite if it is used to address a stranger or adult who would normally be treated to the formal version, "va." I think the security guards are right: VAI! (It's what I say to my dog when I want her to mvoe along quickly.)

This past June the usual polite "no!" did not work, so I used a very loud and repeated "Basta" on some street vendors. They got the hint.

I am NOT afraid to speak up....... when it is appropriate.

Laurel,

Thanks for the clarification. Having taken some Italian lessons, I should have clued in to that form of the verb. I believe it's the same as using Come Sta vs. Come Stai, with the familiar form only being used with close friends or family.

"Basta" wouldn't be my first choice for that situation, as I don't believe it's "strong" enough. If they can't take a hint, I have some less polite responses to use but I won't mention those here.

In any case, "Vai" seemed to have the desired effect in getting rid of the scammers.

Paul, two problems. 1 - That's obscene, which I think is not what Fredrica was hoping for. And 2 - That's Spanish, not Italian. :-)

It's also probably genderly incorrect and it is definitely grammatically incorrect. Not only that it doesn't make sense -- it's randomly arrayed words.

There's a problem answering a question (even with a simple 'No') when you don't know what the question was.(Have you quit hitting your kid with a baseball bat?)

It doesn't mark you as a patsy if you ignore somebody; it just shows that you don't have the time of day for them. There's no rule that says you have to speak to every butt-head in the world.

You'll also notice that these type have a territory of a few yards, ignore them and move through it. They'll drop off to protect their turf and pester the next person.