Selfie Sticks - Rome Colosseum

I wish they weren't allowed anywhere. But best to check their websites to see if there are any photo restrictions.

As soon as you enter the Sistine Chapel you will hear the guard telling somebody who didn't think the sign applied to them, "No Photo". If you can't take photos in there I don't think the selfie stick would be allowed either.

Just ask another visitor to take your photo ;)

Not if photos are prohibited.

I respectfully request you consider not using a selfie stick. There have been numerous times I’ve been bumped into and jostled by selfie stick users. I’ve even been pushed out of the way so the selfie stick user could get “a better angle”.

Yes, I have seen selfie stick users who were polite and unobtrusive, but there are times when it was hard to see past the sea of smart phones and GoPros on selfie sticks.

Luckily I’ve seen a sharp decline in their use over the past couple of years.

I did some research, and in 2015 selfie sticks were banned, but apparently enforcement was impossible, so they dropped the ban, but ask you not to use them on the tour (whatever that means)

Fourfinleys, I think you misread someone’s post

Good grief. Nobody is even hinting that photos are not allowed.

The OP mentioned the Sistine Chapel, where photos are prohibited.

I respectfully request you consider not using a selfie stick.

I'll second that. They are banned at the Vatican Museums and you are not allowed to take photos of any sort in the Sistine. Selfie-sticks - if not outright banned - are pretty much loathed by staff and many visitors at the most-visited attractions. Please leave yours at the hotel unless using it at outdoor places where it won't obstruct the view of others or possibly cause injury to the art, architecture or other tourists.

Vatican Museums:
http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/visita-i-musei/consigli-utili.html

"Medium and large umbrellas (or standard non-telescopic umbrellas), sticks (apart from those used for walking), tripods and stands for photography, video cameras, banners and signs of any type must all be left in the cloakroom."

I know that they banned them at the Colosseum few years ago (a good thing) but their current prohibition statement doesn't mention them.

Joyful,

I agree with the others..... it would be considerate to other visitors not to use a Selfie Stick, even if authorities aren't able to enforce their use. After all, wouldn't it be nice if other people could also be "Joyful Travellers" and not have to deal with those goofy things ;-)

But if you drop your cell phone down a sewer grate, maybe you can fish it out with the selfie stick.

I don't have a selfie stick and have always been curious on how they are annoying? What about traditional photo methods where you try to get a photo of someone or something and crowds are constantly walking in front of you? How about when we try to stop when we see someone taking a photo so we don't walk into their shot, shouldn't I be annoyed by that inconvenience?

“ I don’t have a selfie stick and have always been curious on how they are annoying?”

Allan, when people are using them, they are focusing on what’s visible on their screen, not on who is in the path of potentially being hit in the head. When the sticks are swinging around, you have to avoid the entire circumference of the person with the stick which can be difficult in a crowd.

The good/bad news is: if you forget your selfie stick, there are eight bazillion people selling them on the streets of Rome! ;}

The good/bad news is: if you forget your selfie stick, there are eight bazillion people selling them on the streets of Rome! ;}

And unfortunately, they won't work with the newer iPhones, lol

And unfortunately, they won't work with the newer iPhones, lol

Thank the merciful gods for that!

And unfortunately, they won't work with the newer iPhones,

Why is that 'unfortunate' ????

Allan, when using a selfie stick, as someone stated, you only see what’s in the screen, and not watching where one is stepping (like off the edge of a cliff in the Grand Canyon as happened somewhat recently). for me, if people walk in front of me, I’ll wait until I can get the photo I want, if it’s that important. I have no problem waiting for others to get a good shot because I know I appreciate it when someone stops for me.

Absolutely no photos of any kind in the Sistine Chapel, but there were numerous 'selfie-stickers' in the Colosseum/Trevi Fountain/'outside sites'. I don't remember seeing them in St. Peter's Basilica, but I would say, it's probably not the best place to have a selfie stick (nor other churches). Probably not in the museums as well, as they could pose a hazard to the surrounding art work.

Makes me wonder if people dislike selfie sticks, or they dislike people taking photos of themselves.

I'm 6 foot 8 with really long arms, never needed a selfie stick

I’ve never had a problem asking and getting someone to take a photo of my wife and I. But it is an interesting rhetorical question. I’m not certain why people need to be in so many of their photos;. Why not enjoy a location for the location. All your social media friends will know you were there.

Why is that 'unfortunate' ????

Sorry - that was supposed to be sarcastic, lol

Makes me wonder if people dislike selfie sticks, or they dislike people taking photos of themselves.

I would hazard a guess and say its the selfie sticks - at least it is for me and my circle of friends. Nothing wrong with taking photos of yourself, its just if taking them will intrude on other's personal space......

My arms are a long or longer than some people with selfie sticks. Would you stick haters be irritated with me just the same as you would with someone using a stick? (Assuming both parties are not intruding on other's spaces)

I've NEVER seen a person using a stick cause damage or hurt someone else, but I've seen a lot of hate toward sticks, despite an extremely low incident of accidents

Fourfinleys: I have experienced being hit by selfie stick users and have witnessed them hit other people. It is not the taking of selfies that most people are opposed to, but the swinging the stick around without paying attention. This is why they are banned in most museums. When people take photos of themselves without a stick, they stop and pose and move on. Many selfie stick users walk around with their stick out in front of them making videos and photos all along, and they often do swing them into other peoples' space. I have no issue if someone wants to use one politely.

May I add sun umbrellas in a crowd. I'm 6' tall but when there are multiple tourists carrying full size umbrellas in a crowded area, it's just awful. I've been poked in the face so many times, I've lost track.

Fourfinleys - I've been hit with selfie sticks and I agree with Tamara that its mostly when people are swinging them around staring at the screen rather than what's around them or walking with extended.

While in Italy and Greece, I didn’t witness anyone getting hit by selfie sticks or swinging around the sticks recording videos, just people taking photos of themselves which was fine. My selfie stick tripod was stolen from my suit case, so I bought a $5 selfie stick from a street vendor and It worked out beautifully. I got some wonderful photos!