My husband and I were in Florence and went to the Accademia di Belle Arti to see Michelangelo's magnificent statue of David. We got in line for tickets. I noticed that there were two categories, discounted tickets for Italian citizens and regular tickets for everyone else. When it was my turn, I asked for an Italian ticket. I am an American citizen by birth but also an Italian citizen by marriage. I showed my Italian passport and got my ticket. When it was my husband's turn, he too asked for an Italian ticket. He was born in Rome and lived in Italy for the first 50 years of his life. He was, in other words, a "real" Italian. The ticket man asked to see a document. He didn't have his passport with him but explained to the man in perfect Italian that he was indeed an Italian, born and bred. The man insisted on seeing a document. The many Italians in the long line behind us immediately took sides. They started yelling and shouting, "Give him a ticket! Can't you tell he is Italian? Listen to him!" The man would not give an inch. My husband ended up paying full price. Italians are known for not being sticklers for rules. Why was this one so stubborn? He is lucky a riot didn't take place. It almost did!Submitted by Andrea, Virginia
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