When it comes to tourism etiquette, I was wrong to assume my own sense of common courtesy would serve me well.
After a walking tour in Venice, I hoped to sit down for lunch, but all the restaurants I passed were packed. Hungry and hot, I eventually cut my losses and stood in line for gelato before sitting on a shaded step to enjoy it.
As I was about to take my first bite, the nearby authorities waved their hands up and down at me — a gesture I could only take to mean “get up.”
And there I was, committing an etiquette violation that, according to the City of Venice, may result in a fine of 100 to 200 euros.
I never would have guessed this was considered rude since sitting on steps in a public space is normal in my home city, New York. So in the future, when visiting new countries, I’ll always research etiquette rules beforehand.
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