Rome bans eating at monuments

[orbitz]

article

Starting Oct 1, it'll be illegal to eat food on or around the monuments in Rome. You could potentially be fined anywhere from $32 up to $650.

I think only in special cases will tourists actually be fined money though. Most of the time it will probably just be some policeman shooing people that are eating away. I like the idea.

[l'etoile]

It's a great idea!

[Lanie]

Sounds good to me and I usually think bans in general are ridiculous.

[milanessa]

Might as well rope them all off and just let you look.

[madm]

I can't think of any cases of people eating at U.S. monuments. Maybe the Roman monuments have fountains where it is relaxing to eat in the sun and listen to the soothing sounds of the water. I just can't imagine eating on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial or at Mount Rushmore. Picnicking on a nearby lawn maybe ...

Anyway, I agree with the ban as eating detracts from the viewing experience at a monument.

[vesperholly]

That's just ridiculous. The Spanish Steps are just STAIRS, and there are benches all around the Trevi Fountain. Are you just supposed to stare reverently and move on?

Seems to me like the real problem is littering. Eat carefully and throw away your garbage. Let's hope it's just a common-sense thing and they'll use the law for the real troublemakers.

[Nan]

Seems to me like the real problem is littering. Eat carefully and throw away your garbage.

Yes, fine for littering, not eating.

[Rob]

It says you can eat while walking, but not while sitting. Does that mean you can eat while walking up the Spanish Steps? You could drip or drop just as easily while walking.

Eating on the step of the Lincoln Memorial http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/W..._Washington_DC

[milanessa]

You could drip or drop just as easily while walking.

Probably more easily.

[BigB08822]

I think only in special cases will tourists actually be fined money though. Most of the time it will probably just be some policeman shooing people that are eating away. I like the idea.

I read this too quickly and thought you said it would probably "just be some policeman SHOOTING people..."

I was like, well, geez, that doesn't seem any better than a fine!

[orbitz]

Well, I think shooting will definitely get the message across quicker than shooing .

[talulabell]

...
Eating on the step of the Lincoln Memorial http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/W..._Washington_DC

I thought of that very scene! I'm pretty sure there is an ice cream/snack vendor cart (several?) at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial steps.

[Aussie Willy]

I read this too quickly and thought you said it would probably "just be some policeman SHOOTING people..."

I was like, well, geez, that doesn't seem any better than a fine!

I would like to see that.