Aiuto! Quell'Uomo Mi Sta Seguendo...! and other Rome, Italy Local Custom Tips

Ladies, if you don't know Italian, nevermind. But at least learn some important words like: "Aiuto! Quell'uomo mi sta seguendo...!"

Translated into good old English, it means "Help! That man is following me...!"

Sometimes, you might even need to tell them: "Non mi toccare!" which means "Don't touch me!"

Not to worry... Italian men are generally extremely well behaved and are fine gentlemen. This is for the rare few who get very enthralled with foreign women and female tourists.

So, Ladies, as you're walking along the streets or piazzas, don't be surprised if you're being tailed or whistled at; OR pursued by squadrons of Vespa-riders. Just take comfort in the fact that Italian men are not known as 'Romeos' for nothing. In short, continue to act cool, ignore them and simply carry on walking! :-)

If you're being propositioned by a hot Italian hunk looking like Raoul Bova, I'm sure you would like to know what they mean. So, remember these words:

"Vuoi uscire insieme?"
Feel free to slap 'em (joking!)... or say 'Si, per favore!"
Ladies, that hot Italian guy has in fact just asked you out on a date. ;-)

"Vuoi cenare con me?"
He's just asked you to have dinner with him. :-) Feel free to reject or say '"Si" (read: Yes) to him.

If you're not interested in being picked up by any guys, gals or apes - simply ignore them and they'll go away soon enough. OR you can duck for cover inside the nearest bar!

If you do really get into trouble and need to call the Roman Police, just remember these phone numbers: 113.

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The Romans do take their afternoon siestas. Seriously. So, if you plan to visit Museums and Art Galleries... or shop at your favorite designer boutiques along Via Condotti or the flea markets, please take note of the official opening times. I must admit that things have improved alot compared to the first time when I was in Rome (in the early-1990s) i.e. most big stores will stay open now in the afternoons. Hallelujah!

Major Museums and Art Galleries:

- Borghese Gallery - closed on Mondays.
- Etruscan Museum - closed on Mondays.
- Vatican Museum - closed on Sundays and religious holidays
- Capitol Museum - closed on Mondays.
- Doria Pamphili - closed on Thursdays.
- Colonna Gallery - only open on Saturdays.
- Roman Museum - closed on Mondays.
- Antique Art Gallery - closed on Mondays.
- Modern Art Gallery - closed on Mondays.

For Out of Town Excursions:

- Half day tours: Tivoli villas, Ostia Antica, Roman Castles in the Castelli Romani (Roman Hills)

- Day trips: Naples Pompei-Naples Capri-Florence-Assisi

For Some Local Color:

- Porta Portese flea market every Sunday morning.

- Via Sannio casual and old clothes street market - Week days only.

- Borghetto Flaminio garage sale - Every Sunday.

Hunting for Antiques
At: Via Margutta - Via del Babuino - Via dei Coronari

Exclusive Shopping
At: Via Condotti - Via Borgognona and around the Spanish Steps area

Shopping Areas
At: Via del Corso - Via del Tritone, Via Nazionale, Via Cola di Rienzo

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Generally, banks in Rome are open from Mondays to Fridays; from as early as 8:30am to 1:30pm and again from 3pm to 4pm.

There are many banks where you can withdraw cash from via their onsite or offsite ATM machines. Again, remember - it is cheaper to withdraw cash using your ATM card vs using your travelers' checks or withdrawing cash against your credit card (that is known as a "Cash Advance" and you are charged exhorbitant fees for this service).

Why is it cheaper to withdraw cash using an ATM card?
Simple. The interbank exchange rates used by the respective banks are lower (read: attractive). You'll be charged a little fee for using this service and yes, even if you hold a Barclays ATM card or any other lesser known bank ATM cards, you can still withdraw from any ATM machines here in Rome - provided it contains the following logos:

- Cirrus
- Maestro
- STAR
- The Exchange

If you work in a bank (any bank - in your country), you can withdraw cash without having to pay a fee.

If you're in a hurry and need to visit a big, reputable international bank, then I'll recommend my ex-company: Citibank/ Citigroup. They are located at: Via Abruzzi 2, Rome. I hope they have not changed their address!

Again, please bear in mind the "riposo" (siesta) timings.

To reiterate again, most stores are open all year round - from Mondays to Saturdays; from 9am to 1pm..... and again from 3:30pm or 4pm to 7:30pm or 8pm.

Most shops are closed on Sundays.

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Website: http://www.citibank.it

If you ask me to recommend, of course I'll point you to visit any one of the many UniCredito Italiano branches here in Italy.

In Rome, you can try:

Banca Credito Italiano
Branch: P. di Spagna, 20 (06 679 13 13);
Branch: P. Navona, 46 (06 683 074 13).

For info, Unicredito Italiano (UCI) is the largest banking group in Italy in terms of Stock Exchange capitalization (over €24,000 million as at November 2002). Sorry, I don't seem to have the latest figures for 2003. In Europe, UCI is one of the top 5 banking groups in terms of efficiency and profitability and among the top 20 in terms of total assets. If you're smart, you'll understand why I'm proud to be associated with UCI.

Other banks with ATM machines in Rome include:

Banca Popolare di Milano
Branch: Pl. Flaminio (06 369 901 or 06 322 901).
Branch: V. Veneto (06 481 45 41)
Branch: P. Popolo (06 320 854).

Banca di Roma
Branch: V. Veneto, 119 (06 474 11 22, fax 06 474 11 46);
Branches Also at:
- V. Tiburtina
- P. Barberini
- V.d. Monti Tiburtini
- V.d. Corso.

Banca Commerciale Italiana
Branches at:
- V. Corso, 226 (06 679 08 23);
- V. Veneto, 78 (06 420 135 95);
- V. Nazionale, 181 (06 488 20 40);
- P. di Spagna, 18 (06 679 11 41).

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Website: http://www.unicredit.it/