ITALY: Italy opens first ever beach where men are banned to help scantily-clad women escape prying eyes

Record ID: 560288

  • Title: ITALY: Italy opens first ever beach where men are banned to help scantily-clad women escape prying eyes
  • Date: 4th July 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN BEACH GOER FRANCO STROPPIANI SAYING: "I think this is very stupid. Men and women should always be mixed. Otherwise, what are we on this planet for?"
  • Embargoed: 19th July 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA8E8ENXGRP14PDNVV2IIDOLJ83
  • Story Text: For many women stripping off into your bikini at the beginning of the summer season, knowing you will be ogled at, adds an element of tension to a day out on the beach. But owners of a seaside complex in Riccione on Italy's Adriatic coast have come up with the perfect solution for women tired of those famous Italian amorous stares - a stretch of sand where men are banned.
    And the ban does not cover just men but also applies to mothers with children, making them unwelcome amongst the rows of sun loungers and allowing for a truly relaxing day out in the sun. Funnily enough, man's best friend is allowed with owners happily bringing their dogs with them.
    "Men are not welcome in the beach. They are not really banned, but they are not welcome there because women have to do their own thing: gossip, talk about women's things like make-up. They have to stay in their own world" explained owner of the beach complex, Fausto Ravaglia, who spends most of the day rowing in his rescue boat next to the beach so as not to intrude .
    And so it's no more of those age-old lines of 'shall i put cream on your back' for these lucky women. Now young girls can happily put their sun cream on in peace. And that's not all.
    "For many women who want to sunbathe topless, for instance, it's a great plus not to have men around, because often men won't go away and stare insistently" said beach goer Giulia Martini.
    And for the women determined to take part in beach gymnastics - they no longer need to fear letting men see their wobbly bits. But as with most rules in Italy, the ban isn't respected by all, with men seen passing through the restricted area despite the signs and old age pensioners seen gawking at the girls from the stretch of beach next door.
    Whilst the idea has been well-received by the fairer sex many men think it is a bad precedent to set.
    "This is not good. Men and wives must be together, also on the beach. Man one side, women on the other is not good. Together is better" said Dutch tourist Mirko de Mol.
    "I think this is very stupid. Men and women should always be mixed. Otherwise, what are we on this planet for?" said an elderly gentleman Franco Stroppiani looking as though he may have had a bit of success on the beach in the past.
    Certainly our four-footed friends are feeling 'top dog' about the whole experience.
    "He is the only male of the beach' said Valeria Mignucci proudly holding her dog .
    'He's lucky, but he never leaves his mum" she said.
    Fausto Ravaglia says the idea has had more success than he expected.
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