It's all about respect

SYA is always reminding us that good manners and general courtesy are very important in Italy. Italians simply cannot understand some of the things we do, like: putting feet up on furniture, walking around barefoot, entering a building/store without greeting everyone and then leaving without saying goodbye.

As supporting evidence of their politeness, I offer you...

Now here's a sign I find fascinating. In a city (well, country) where parking is impossible and an absolute free-for-all, they actually took the time to put up some parking signs dedicated to pregnant women with children under the age of one, who have the proper pass/placard. Wow, how did they go about guessing where these women might park, I wonder. What are the odds of a pregnant woman, with an infant (and with the correct paperwork), needing this exact spot...especially in a country with a negative birth rate and 1.4 fertility rate?!?

While the first paragraph seems odd for its context, the second paragraph is 100% Italian: "The respect of this reserved parking relies on your civility and good manners." And in fact, I bet it is respected. In Italy, little is more sacred than mothers, and little is prized more than courtesy. They even said "thank you" in the sign :)

Moving on to another courteous note about courtesy...

This letter cracks Max up. Basically, it's telling the dogs that they have to do what they have to do, and the writer doesn't blame them or dislike them, BUT he wished that their owners knew how rude they were. He signs off reassuring the dogs that he loves animals, but that their owners better hope he doesn't catch them!