i don't think in all the threads i have made i have ever talked about anything negative. unfortunately, there is always a first. i thought about if i should even mention it here but because it's covid-related and there is a lot of conversation about it on this forum i decided to let you know what i witnessed. essentially, on a train, between foglino and perugia a 'family' of 4, an older man and 3 twenty-somethings got on without wearing masks. they continued to do so for the entire journey until they spotted a conductor and put theirs on. soon after, a woman told (in italian) one of the young women to put her mask on. i suppose she had removed her's after the conductor passed. an argument began but thankfully ended soon.
here's the thing that bothered me. the 'family' spoke english with perfect american accents (i am certain they were americans of the usa variety but could have been canadians). however, the young woman argued in perfect italian (to my ears at least). In addition to calling the italian woman 'porca troia' the 'family' proceeded to discuss the issue among themselves until i got off. they discussed how the 'complainer' was a 'karen' and that 'if she is so afraid she shouldn't get out of the house'. the 'father' at one point said he would have punched the woman. they mentioned how the government has made people afraid and the intellectual 'son' brought up 'pascal's wager'. i, probably the only american within earshot , got a full dose of the group's anti _ _ _ talking points. i listened in wonder as they were utterly convinced that they were right and the italian woman, 'should mind her own business'
i'll end by saying that, to me, these people were the epitome of the 'ugly american'. i felt ashamed that i could understand every word they said. as has been mentioned here, these days, the only place in italy where there is enforcement of masks is on public transportation. What are you sacrificing by following a simple rule of your host country and people?
apologies for the long 'negative' post. this may or may not ignite a firestorm but I had to get my thoughts out. perhaps the 'protagonists' are on this forum and they will recognize who i am talking about! happy and safe travels everyone!