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Cameos and intaglios and other Italy Tourist Trap Tips

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Italy Tourist Trap Tips by iandsmith

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iandsmith    
The shortest distance between two people is laughter (note sign in picture)


Real Name: Ian Smith
Lives In: Newcastle, AU
Member Since: May 12, 2002
VT Rank: 23

 
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Italy Tourist Traps
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Tourist Trap: Cameos and intaglios
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  • Written by iandsmith on May 3, 2003
  • Italy Travel Guide
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  • We were taken to one as part of a guided tour of TIvoli that I had paid for, we were fronted by a friendly man in the biggest piazza in Naples who also took us to one. The "one" being a shop that sells cameos.
    The routine is that once you are lured to the shop there will be a table with tools on it that have the appearance of being used. In those shops, trust me, no-one ever soiled their hands on creating, only on taking your money!
    They even go so far as to having an old relative sit at a supposed work table.
    Both the tout and the supposed artisan will disappear before your eyes as the sales pitch eventuates.
    Included in that pitch will be the line that "ours is unique, all the others are manufactured". Crap. Just like the supposed ceramics factory I visited in Turkey, it's all manufactured elsewhere and they all look the same.

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    At Least Do This: Having said all of the above, there are some nice pieces and, if you want one, don't let my dissertation spoil your purchase.
    Alternative: Since you may feel slightly embarrassed trying to get out of their clutches, try pleading that you're out of money or you have to meet someone down the road or you have to be somewhere else in 5 minutes.
    Don't worry, they won't get nasty as you walk out of the shop.
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    Tourist Trap: Napoli - The stings
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  • Written by iandsmith on Jul 11, 2003
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  • Describe the tourist trap? Naples!

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    At Least Do This: If you call yourself a traveller, you have to go. This is not your London, Berlin or New York. These guys, trained by the Camora I suspect, know how to hustle and a classic example is the main railway station.
    No matter how you try to disguise your tourist status, they can spot you a mile off. Two approached us, asked what train we were looking for, dutifully helped us load our bags onto said train and then came the sting.
    I mean, really, these guys were dressed in railway uniform for heaven's sake! How brazen is that?
    Alternative: Learn to say no. Unlike me being sucked in a couple of times.
    Believe me, they don't take the first "no" as an answer. You've really got to be firm and, when you've just arrived on the SIcily Ferry and the cab drivers nail you, you are vulnerable. I had read all about them before I arrived and still got stung. They know how to work your emotions at the right moment. Remember, it's how they live.
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    Comments for iandsmith about Italy
    eriksson977 Mon Mar 30, 2009 13:07 UTC
     Outstanding pages from Italy. I just came back from Italy last week. Tomas Eriksson :)
    WPThayer Mon Sep 8, 2008 01:56 UTC
     That should be Bazzano Inferiore, with 2 z's; that explains the Google failure.
    timada Thu Sep 4, 2008 12:49 UTC
     Beautiful places ...never heard of .
    volopolo Mon Sep 1, 2008 11:29 UTC
     Great info! Italy has million attractions! Nice job! Keep traveling! Nikos
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