1047 Napoli people

People will tell you that about almost anyone, anywhere, youre best bet is to take a big pinch of salt with such pronunciations... I have only met one Family living in Napoli, they were lovely, people are people. I daresay there will be some who can be trusted and some who can't, just like almost everywhere else (he waffled...). Mind you, the people from Sunderland...

[QUOTE=anna austin]I am moving to Naples to teach and I am a little worried. People keep telling me that people from Naples cannot be trusted. I am sure these people have never been there and they are wrong but can any of you reassure me that they are the great and welcoming people that I'm hoping they will be?[/QUOTE]

Being a frequent visitor to Naples, and counting several natives of that city as close friends I can assure you that they are the same as people everywhere - some good, some bad and some indifferent. I have found though that for the most part they are courteous (almost to a fault), friendly and very very outgoing.

Enjoy your time in Naples - I am sure I am not the only one that envies you for being able to spend time there!

[QUOTE=anna austin]I am moving to Naples to teach and I am a little worried. People keep telling me that people from Naples cannot be trusted. I am sure these people have never been there and they are wrong but can any of you reassure me that they are the great and welcoming people that I'm hoping they will be?[/QUOTE]

Hi Anna

My wife spent a year studying in Napoli and really loved it , felt very safe. By all accounts it's a beautiful city with very 'colourful' locals! It is true that Neopolitans enjoy a reputation in Italy akin to that of, perhaps, scousers in the UK (sorry any scousers out there) but as George says people will tell you anything. All regions enjoy their own sterotypes, most of which are unfairly gained but pass into urban legends anyway.

The only thing I would be careful of - which may sound a little silly but even Italians from other regions get caught sometimes - are street games. You know, where you have to bet which card is the queen of hearts or where they move a ball around under a cup. It looks easy and often there can be an elaborate set-up (usually involving an accomplice who wins several times to make the game look easy). They tend to be more pervlaent in Napoli than other areas, though not exclusively so. These games are always cons, so be careful and don't get involved. That said, this also takes place in other larger italian cities, so you need just be as cautious as you would in any major European city. Bar that small and fastidious piece of advice, have fun! ;)

Hope you have a great time, and here's one more member who's envious! :)

Russ

[QUOTE=Gesturi]Hi Anna

The only thing I would be careful of - which may sound a little silly but even Italians from other regions get caught sometimes - are street games. You know, where you have to bet which card is the queen of hearts or where they move a ball around under a cup. It looks easy and often there can be an elaborate set-up (usually involving an accomplice who wins several times to make the game look easy). They tend to be more pervlaent in Napoli than other areas, though not exclusively so. These games are always cons, so be careful and don't get involved. ! [img]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Russ[/QUOTE]

Gesturi,

This sounds a lot like Las Vegas, USA!

[QUOTE=FrancisM]Gesturi,

This sounds a lot like Las Vegas, USA![/QUOTE]

...these Italians get everyhwhere :)

In fact on that note, I had a rather odd experience when I went home to Plymouth recently. Much as I love the place, the south west in general must be one of the least cosmopolitan areas of the country. Imagine my suprise then when I discovered that not only had several italian restaurants sprung up since my last visit but that the one I went in was full of sardinian waiters!

Needless to say, the wife was pleased ... ;)

[QUOTE=Gesturi]Imagine my suprise then when I discovered that not only had several italian restaurants sprung up since my last visit but that the one I went in was full of sardinian waiters![/QUOTE]
Sounds a bit fishy to me.

Hello again Anna.
You can refer to me here in Naples (if you want).
ItalyMag editors Fiona Tankard and Paul Tutill know me very well.
On next september issue, will be published a story on Militello with photographs written by me.
I will be in Naples until September 7 and then I will go to Sicily with my wife and my son.
It's impossible to describe Naples. This is a city where you can find bad or good people.
Of course, Naples is not Rome, Florence or Venice.

Please, always follow these suggestions:
1) if you have a Rolex watch, do NOT wear it !!!
2) do not drive cars
3) do not take abusive cabs
4) do not show you money and do not bring with you gold rings, necklace or earrings.
5) try to do not go out with your videocamera or photographic camera if you are alone.
6) Always refer to trusted people (here you will meet many) before to explore unknown districts.

[QUOTE=anna austin]I am moving to Naples to teach and I am a little worried. People keep telling me that people from Naples cannot be trusted. I am sure these people have never been there and they are wrong but can any of you reassure me that they are the great and welcoming people that I'm hoping they will be?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for all the useful info. I know I shouldn't stereotype people. When I went to Israel lots of people told me bad things about Israeli people but I found them to be the most caring and warm hearted people I have ever met. So I suppose the moral of the story is; take precautions but find out for yourself what people are really like. :)

[QUOTE=anna austin]Thanks for all the useful info. I know I shouldn't stereotype people. When I went to Israel lots of people told me bad things about Israeli people but I found them to be the most caring and warm hearted people I have ever met. So I suppose the moral of the story is; take precautions but find out for yourself what people are really like. :)[/QUOTE]

Exactly!!! Stereotypes never do the people justice. Take it one step at a time and enjoy.

If you are still there in the new year I will be visiting Naples in early January with my mother and sister. If you are available to meet up for a coffee/capucchino/espresso it would be great to meet you.

Sano
That would be great! Thanks.

[QUOTE=lotaresco]Sounds a bit fishy to me.[/QUOTE]

? :confused:

I've got 7 days to go before I arrive in Napoli. I just wish so called 'friends' would refrain from calling me and telling me I am mad for going to Naples. What the hell do they know???????? It's not even helpful advice. It's just the usual.... there is lots of poverty, lots of crime, the men are womanisers and women get treated badly bla bla bla bla.
Sorry for my rant but I knew I could moan freely on here without the usual comments of 'Rather you than me'. :mad:

[QUOTE=anna austin]I've got 7 days to go before I arrive in Napoli. I just wish so called 'friends' would refrain from calling me and telling me I am mad for going to Naples. What the hell do they know???????? It's not even helpful advice. It's just the usual.... there is lots of poverty, lots of crime, the men are womanisers and women get treated badly bla bla bla bla.
Sorry for my rant but I knew I could moan freely on here without the usual comments of 'Rather you than me'. :mad:[/QUOTE]

When you are sitting at a cafe in the Mergellina, or strolling around the Galleria, or taking the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii, they might well eat their words...

Also, when you are enjoying the finest gelati that Italy has to offer (at a little place just off the Via Toledo), or nibbling on arancine at the Castel Nuovo, or exploring the Castel D'Uovo, you might not care so much about what friends who have never been there have to say.

There is so much about that city that is amazing - the ancient statue of Neptune that is still sitting on the side of a narrow alleyway in the middle of the city, the Spacca Napoli with all its bakeries and the excellent fish market near Piazza Montesanto (if memory serves). The unique stalls and shops selling Nativity scenes around Christmas, the lovely hard baked almond cookies and struffoli, the sfogliatelle, oh, the list goes on.

The people of Naples are great as well - after all, the city is what it is because of them. I found the women to be quite confident, well able to stand up for themselves, and blessed with an extremely quick wit. I am sure you will find the stereotypical Neapolitan male there, as you do everywhere you go in the world - pestering males are as common here in Dublin as they are in Paris, London, Cape Town, wherever you go in the world.

So, they haven't mentioned the rats, the snakes, the creepy crawlies, scorpions, mosquito's etc., etc., You'll LOVE it... :D

Oh yEs. I have jewish origins and when I went to Israel in 1992 (two times) I had a wonderful experience with Israeli people. Israelian people protected me and I felt safe there.
There are political problems and Israeli people in FANTASTIC!! :)

[QUOTE=anna austin]Thanks for all the useful info. I know I shouldn't stereotype people. When I went to Israel lots of people told me bad things about Israeli people but I found them to be the most caring and warm hearted people I have ever met. So I suppose the moral of the story is; take precautions but find out for yourself what people are really like. :)[/QUOTE]

Napoli is an interesting city. Many parts of it are scruffy, chaotic, out of control but this all adds to its charm. It is a fascinating place and there isn't a cafe or bar you can sit outside and not be fascinated by everything going on. Everyone is so animated and colourful.

In November 2003 I went over for my gran's funeral on the Island of Procida and on the final night I stayed in Napoli as I had an early flight the next morning. Getting dressed up for a nice meal at Ristorante Cavour (give it a try if you get the chance Anna) we decided to go for a walk through the backstreets. We walked through all the dark narrow streets saw some quite shady looking people, watched the scooters attempting to break the rules of the road under the noses of the Carabineri, it was all so interesting, a side of Naples we had never seen before (at night anyway), we even walked through the area where all the North African immigrants live.

At no point through all of this did we feel remotely threatened. Everyone carried on doing their thing and took little notice of the smartly dressed observers. There are backstreets in London, Birmingham, Manchester, leeds, etc where you would not dare to tread!

Enjoy yourself Anna, I gurantee that you will fall in love with Italy the moment you arrive. Italy is never dull!

[QUOTE=Gilio]Napoli is an interesting city. Many parts of it are scruffy, chaotic, out of control but this all adds to its charm. It is a fascinating place and there isn't a cafe or bar you can sit outside and not be fascinated by everything going on. Everyone is so animated and colourful.

In November 2003 I went over for my gran's funeral on the Island of Procida and on the final night I stayed in Napoli as I had an early flight the next morning. Getting dressed up for a nice meal at Ristorante Cavour (give it a try if you get the chance Anna) we decided to go for a walk through the backstreets. We walked through all the dark narrow streets saw some quite shady looking people, watched the scooters attempting to break the rules of the road under the noses of the Carabineri, it was all so interesting, a side of Naples we had never seen before (at night anyway), we even walked through the area where all the North African immigrants live.

At no point through all of this did we feel remotely threatened. Everyone carried on doing their thing and took little notice of the smartly dressed observers. There are backstreets in London, Birmingham, Manchester, leeds, etc where you would not dare to tread!

Enjoy yourself Anna, I gurantee that you will fall in love with Italy the moment you arrive. Italy is never dull![/QUOTE]

There is one part of Naples that is truly magical - if you start at the top of the ridge, at the old monastery, there are steps that lead you down through the whole city, over the Corso Vittorio Emmanuel, right down to sea level. On both sides of the steps are little houses and a few shops. This is part of Naples that tourists never see but I really think they should - it is these hidden parts of the city that make it so special.

[QUOTE=Gesturi]? :confused:[/QUOTE]

Fishy, as in full of sardinian waiters. Smelling of sardines presumably.

[QUOTE=fabriziofiorenzano]Oh yEs. I have jewish origins and when I went to Israel in 1992 (two times) I had a wonderful experience with Israeli people. Israelian people protected me and I felt safe there.
There are political problems and Israeli people in FANTASTIC!! :)[/QUOTE]

I can't tell you how much I adore that country and the people. I tried to get a work visa but I'm not Jewish. After my adventure in Naples I would really love to live there for a while. It's my dream that i'm going to keep holding on to. :)

I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who has given advice and tips. i have to admit i am really nervous about going, not because of Naples in particular but mainly because it can be quite scary going it alone in a different country. you have all been very encouraging! :D

[QUOTE=anna austin]I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who has given advice and tips. i have to admit i am really nervous about going, not because of Naples in particular but mainly because it can be quite scary going it alone in a different country. you have all been very encouraging! :D[/QUOTE]

It can be very intimidating, but you have our support here, and I am sure you will connect with people there through work as well. There are a few English speakers knocking about the city so chances are you will bump into someone soon enough. There is an international bar just off the Piazza del Popolo as you walk down to the sea (as you face the half circle of the piazza the exit to your left). As a bit of a surprise treat order a hamburger and see what you get (it won't be a hamburger but it is lovely).