I am a bit nosey and often listen in to conversations on buses, trains, in restaurants, on the street…….wherever.
Here are a few things I have heard in lovely Italy.
I was on the train from Lucca to Florence, about a 90 minute trip, when I overheard a conversation between 2 women.
The first one said “You know, I have a friend who lives in London, and she can take from London to Florence in an hour.”
The second one said, “I think it would take a little longer, an hour and a half.”
The first one replied, “No, it takes an hour, it is a special train.”
For more on fabulous Florence click here.
Lucca is surrounded by a magnificent wall which is around 500 years old. The layout of the town inside the walls, and many of the buildings, remain unchanged for centuries.
I offered to help a person who was looking lost. She said, “Can you tell me where is the old part of Lucca?”
To see more of lovely Lucca click here.
I was standing in front of a gelato selection, when the person beside me said.
“This just looks like ice cream.”
To read about Grom gelato click here, and here for Venchi.
In my favourite restaurant in Lucca, Paris Boheme, I heard a woman say….
“Can I have ranch dressing with that?” Luis, the lovely owner/waiter replied, “No, you cannot, you are in Italia and you will have Italian dressing. It will be so much better and you will like it.”
For the full story click here.
The glorious Pantheon in Rome is 2,000 years old and the dome on top is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. The enormous granite columns in front were floated by barge from Egypt. This apparently wasn’t enough for one chap who said with an air of disappointment……
“I thought it would be bigger.”
To find out more about my favourite building in Rome click here.
At lunch at a Bagni di Lucca agriturismo, we were served freshly picked and sautéed porcini mushrooms, polenta made from grain grown on the property and pecorino cheese made from the milk of the resident sheep. A woman in the party declared that….
“This needs some maple syrup.”
Click here to see the rest of the meal.
Have you heard any good ones lately?
my favourite post so far …..
By: Michael Makras on November 27, 2012
at 12:50 am
Thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 12:59 am
ha ha …What about the one when I was in Roturua (home to mud pools and geysers) and was asked what time the show started? I looked blankly and said ‘pardon’? and their reply was ‘Well you know…when do they turn the pools and the geysers on, so we can see the steam and the mud boiling etc?”… Never heard of naturally occuring…
By: ilovelucca on November 27, 2012
at 12:56 am
I love it!
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 12:59 am
I can just hear Luis saying that – and he was so right! These kind of remarks sometimes remind me of “the ugly American” syndrome which I am always embarrassed to witness. I am thankful for our appreciation and gratitude of other cultures sharing their treasures with us. Thanks for capturing these funny things overheard, Debra.
By: Karen Overton on November 27, 2012
at 1:02 am
Anybody can make a silly remark, it is not restricted to one country. You just have to look at the funny side.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 1:05 am
Okay, this is a darn good idea for a post. I laughed out loud at the ice cream comment. In fact, I’m still laughing as I type this!
Hugs,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on November 27, 2012
at 1:06 am
I am happy to eat either ice cream or gelato…..all good.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 8:55 am
I love listening to others’ conversations too! especially when traveling. Sometimes, you hear some great stuff!
By: amiramelody on November 27, 2012
at 1:21 am
I love to eavesdrop, it can make a train ride very interesting.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 7:35 am
At the amazing fabric store Britex in San Francisco I overheard a woman who was frustrated with the leather selection ask “Well, don’t you have something that’s more square?!” The sales woman replied “I’m sorry madam. It used to be an animal.” I loved that. Great post!!
By: Erica Preo on November 27, 2012
at 1:33 am
Maybe she should stick to vinyl.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 7:37 am
Mama Mia Americani!!
By: Anonymous on November 27, 2012
at 1:33 am
Everybody does it sometimes. I don’t think it is restricted to one nationality.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 7:38 am
That looks like real ice cream.. ha ah aha too funny. c
By: cecilia on November 27, 2012
at 1:50 am
Gelato, ice-cream….who cares, it is all delicious.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 7:39 am
Great post Debra, as you know
I learned my english in Australia and
still have a very strong Spanish accent.
On my last trip to Italy I was asked by an
american tourist if I was British, When I
told the story to my daughter in law who
is from London she almost die laughing.
By: Elsear on November 27, 2012
at 3:36 am
A lot of people confuse Australia with Austria and people are sometimes surprised that I speak English.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 7:42 am
BRAVISSIMA! This is so much FUN! Roll on the floor laughing out loud moments! Love this one, Debra. Especially is a summation of your great posts! I remember all those post you linked here. No baloney.
By: rommel on November 27, 2012
at 5:32 am
I’m sure I have dropped some clangers in my time….that’s life.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 7:43 am
The first conversation reminds me of my experience visiting India. I was planning to travel from New Delhi to Taj Mahal; and asked a few local indians how long it would take… From the locals, the time ranges from 2 hours to 5 hours. Maybe not every culture is as time-driven….
By: ccue on November 27, 2012
at 5:40 am
I suppose it would depend whether you were in a hurry or not.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 7:44 am
Hilarious!
By: Moira Drexler on November 27, 2012
at 6:12 am
You have to smile.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 7:46 am
Haha, oh those people….well prepared…
By: eponato on November 27, 2012
at 6:25 am
Makes you envy the Italians who don’t understand English doesn’t it. Too true Debra. And only the tip of the iceberg. You could write a book I know….
By: janinevasta on November 27, 2012
at 6:25 am
I’m sure they say silly things sometimes too.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 7:47 am
Constantly…
By: janinevasta on November 27, 2012
at 9:03 am
Am I the only one who feels hesitant about laughing at ignorance, which many of these examples display? We’re all ignorant about lots of things and if people laugh at us, we’ll clam up and won’t say anything, which will block off avenues of learning. According to tourist information of Lucca, the outer walls of Lucca were built between 1550 and 1650 which makes them only 360 years old, not 500 (well, OK, the first bricks they laid are now 460 years old).
By: Heather Jarman on November 27, 2012
at 7:16 am
I don’t think people will run out of silly things to say. I’m sure we all do it occasionally, and a sense of humour never goes astray. I don’t mind being laughed at now an then. Travel broadens knowledge and experience and opens us up to new and exciting things, and if we put our collective feet in it occasionally there is no harm done.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 7:33 am
Hilarious, Debra! I really enjoyed this. Some comments that people make puts in doubt whether they have any brains…!!!
By: mulino dominillo on November 27, 2012
at 8:04 am
Hopefully travelling will help.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 8:53 am
I’m with Heather. I know my own ignorance of many parts of the world is encyclopaedic.
However…
On my first trip to the US we opened our theatre tour with a performance of Aboriginal writer Jack Davis’s play Honey Spot in Seattle.
Following the show, a middle-aged lady came up and congratulated us on the performance but had to ask, ‘Where is Australia exactly?’
‘Way down south,’ drawled one of the Aboriginal actors.
She thought for a moment, puzzled. ‘Like, near Texas?’
There’s rather more awareness of what lies DownUnder these days, and in Vienna you can buy t-shirts – ‘No kangaroos in Austria’.
By: Richard Tulloch on November 27, 2012
at 8:08 am
I was in Newport ( when Australia won that yacht race) when a woman said to me…..seriously…..”I do declare honey child, Australia, isn’t that a little south of Florida?”
We all do it, who knows everything????
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 8:50 am
A fun post, Debra because you’re right, we hear some glorious clangers on the bus, sitting in restaurants, not to mention the ones we make ourselves but rarely catch … 🙂
By: The Wanderlust Gene on November 27, 2012
at 8:35 am
The post was meant to be fun, we all say silly things sometimes.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 8:52 am
Don’t we just! I quail to think what’s slipped out of my mouth over the decades 🙂
By: The Wanderlust Gene on November 28, 2012
at 3:11 am
Maple syrup?! I have to confess that I love to eavesdrop too – you hear so many interesting and strange things. I love your selection although it did make me realize that I probably say say odd things myself from time to time.
By: Just Add Attitude on November 27, 2012
at 8:53 am
I love maple syrup, but it belongs on waffles. I know I have made dumb comments too on occasion.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 8:57 am
These are hysterical!!! too funny.
By: The Daily Cure on November 27, 2012
at 9:11 am
I do love listening in on conversations.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 10:40 am
Fabulous! I’m a terrible sticky beak too and once overheard an American tell a Japanese man “In L.A. we have the best sushi in the world”….hmmmm
By: Where's Wiwi? on November 27, 2012
at 10:33 am
Hmmmmm, indeed.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 10:34 am
A classic I heard in Rome a couple of years ago. An American (sorry Americans!) family were trying to select thier options from the menu. Father turned to mother and said “how do I say lasagne in Italian?”
Another good one, my daughter this time. On the station looking up at the destinations for a particular train she said “shall we go to terminus?” She turned to me and asked “Is it nice there mum?” And no she wasn’t that young!! Needless to say, we haven’t let her forget but she has a good laugh about it now and admits it certainly is the way to learn!
By: Jan on November 27, 2012
at 11:18 am
I’m sure Terminus is delightful, and we should all visit soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 11:25 am
Ah yes … humanity doesn’t limit its clueless nature to one spot in the world.
Meanwhile, love the wide-ranging journey in this post!
By: aFrankAngle on November 27, 2012
at 1:27 pm
I think we all have things to learn when we are away from home.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 10:04 pm
Love, love, love the “can I have ranch dressing?”!!!!! Great post, Debra. 🙂
By: jann on November 27, 2012
at 2:52 pm
Luis is a scream. It would be difficult to be offended by his replies.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 10:05 pm
Love it. We ate frequent travelers to Disneyland and we overhear the most outrageous things. It seems most of the time the blind are leading the blind. It takes every bit of self control for me not to take over and plan their day for them.
By: Damommachef on November 27, 2012
at 4:04 pm
I think it is better to observe from a distance.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2012
at 10:06 pm
I’m glad that beautiful meal didn’t have maple syrup on it… it’s just a shame it wasn’t for my dinner!
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on November 28, 2012
at 10:04 am
Maple syrup is delicious and has its place, but it is not on porcini mushrooms.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 29, 2012
at 12:23 pm
Ah yes, Lucca. What a magnificent place. Thanks for the memories. 🙂
By: adinparadise on November 28, 2012
at 7:31 pm
I think Lucca is one of the loveliest towns in all of Italy. I go there regularly when I am in Italy and I never tire of it.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 29, 2012
at 12:25 pm
Lucky you! 🙂
By: adinparadise on November 29, 2012
at 12:59 pm
Hehe those are hilarious quotes! 😛 I loved the one about the gelato 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on November 29, 2012
at 12:15 pm
People say the funniest things…..especially when they don’t mean to.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 29, 2012
at 12:32 pm
Thank you very much for liking my blog about Visiting the Colosseum. Prompted by this, I came over to check out this site, and really like it. It really evokes Italy and brings living there back to me in a very powerful way. There are so many things that really capture Italy on here. Nice work!
PS: I visited Australia last year, and loved Sydney and Brisbane….
PPS: Italy, Australia… what’s not to like? 🙂
By: anthonyturi on December 9, 2012
at 8:46 pm
I am very lucky to be able to spend 6 months each year in Italy and Australia…the best of both worlds.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 9, 2012
at 9:26 pm
This is a wonderful post. I love Italy, and even though I don’t live there I try and visit as much as I can, despite my wish to visit other destination as well.
By: rachel bar on December 31, 2012
at 6:59 pm
We bought the house in Bagni di Lucca partly as a base from which to travel to the rest of Europe, but we love Italy so much we have trouble leaving it.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 31, 2012
at 10:31 pm
Just revisiting. I totally enjoy this. 😀
By: rommel on January 12, 2013
at 9:12 pm
People do say funny things.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 12, 2013
at 9:49 pm
[…] Debra on “The things people say” from Bagni Di […]
By: #200 « The Sophomore Slump on January 15, 2013
at 3:48 am