Two American tourists were surprised to discover that running shirtless in Venice, a common activity in the United States, is considered highly disrespectful and can result in significant fines.
Julia Latoff and her boyfriend, Mike, were vacationing in Venice and decided to go for a run. Latoff noticed locals giving them disapproving looks, which she later learned was due to her boyfriend running without a shirt. "It was early July and very hot, so my boyfriend was running without a shirt, which is the norm in NYC in the summer where we live," Latoff told Newsweek. They had also observed shirtless runners in Florence without issue, leading them to believe it was acceptable.
However, in Venice, the reaction was different. Latoff reported that people were seen "shaking their heads" and appearing "disgusted" at her boyfriend during their run. Someone even shouted at the couple. It was only after the incident that they realized going shirtless in Venice is frowned upon, especially in a city with a rich history and numerous religious sites. According to the City of Venice's website, individuals can be fined up to 250 euros (approximately $290) for being shirtless in public.
Latoff shared the experience on her Instagram, stating that her boyfriend purchased a shirt to wear for their return run. "It was an honest mistake, and we felt bad and embarrassed," she said.
This experience highlights cultural differences that can surprise American travelers abroad. In another instance, Kacie Rose Burns, who moved to Florence, Italy, from New York City in 2021 with her fiancé, Dario, shared her adjustments to Italian daily life. Burns noted that seemingly minor differences, such as where to purchase a birthday card or how to handle grocery shopping, presented unexpected challenges. She discovered that birthday cards are typically sold at stationery shops, known as 'cartolerie,' not pharmacies as is common in the U.S. Additionally, Burns learned that in Italian grocery stores, customers are expected to weigh their own produce and print price stickers before going to the checkout, a system she had not encountered before. These experiences underscore the significant cultural adjustments that can arise when moving from one country to another.