Authored by Lauren Owen

Women from all corners of the world flock to Italy to enjoy Italian art, history, and cuisine. But what they don’t tell their husbands and boyfriends is that a little part of them may secretly lust after the scenario where a “Latin lover will conquer them with a smouldering glance and whisk them away on their scooters to woo them in some secluded olive grove!” The rest of us? We do our best to resist! Are Italian men really that charming?

Yes, Italian men are internationally famous for their ability to flirt. They practice it regularly, and their pick up lines are often poetic. They’re smooth and suave and their charm comes seemingly naturally. Italian charm.

“Flirting with every Anna, Maria and Francesca is not just the birthright of every Italian man, it is his way of doing womankind a favour. Flirting, for them remains an honourable pastime, a life enhancer that adds a pleasurable frisson to every encounter.” Why are Italian men charming?

The charms and flirtations of Italian men are well rumored throughout the world to be a feminine vice. Though for the unsuspecting female traveler, well, many before me have found themselves caught in disastrous encounters with Italian flirts. And that was without advertising that they were ‘single and ready to mingle’! My bad. Will Italian men flirt with me in Italy?

In retrospect, wearing this slogan emblazoned across a T-shirt to a nightclub full of Italian men meant I only had myself to blame for the advances that followed suit. I cringe every time I hear the saying now, and to this day can’t really believe that I still have the t-shirt scrunched somewhere within my cupboard.

It was my first backpacking adventure across Europe, booked upon breaking up with my high school sweetheart. A right of passage and a change of scenery, traveling, I was told, was the surest way to mend a broken heart. It was something I needed to do to get to know myself. Italian men flirt.

My seven-week tour took in the lovely Italian city of Florence. I was ready to indulge in pasta, pizza, and gelato, and had been cautioned by other female travelers of the charm of Italian men! It wasn’t long before I experienced their chatty and flirty nature first hand. Though granted, the catalyst was likely a certain blue shirt. Why do Italian men flirt so much?

We had traveled from Switzerland to Italy via Leaning Tower of Pisa before arriving in Florence. It was dark when we arrived, so our first port was the hostel bar for a few cheeky beverages. Caving to peer pressure, I was convinced to leave the hostel for my first Italian night out. The hostel was selling those aforementioned shirts, one of which included the words ‘Single and Ready to Mingle’. I purchased the shirt, got changed, and bounded to a taxi with a Kiwi bloke I had known for less than a week. Charming Italian men.

Arriving at the club it it felt as though there was a 10:1 ratio of males to females. Walking to the bar I have never felt so many eyes. There were a constant string of men vying for my attention, offering drinks and following me around quite persistently. For some women, no doubt this is normal, and for others I’m sure this is encouraged.  Are Italian men charming?

For me though, this was something I had never experienced, and the straightforward nature of their approach can be overwhelming for the unsuspecting female traveler without a support network of friends. True to the rumors that Italian men are charming, charming they were. Never did they actually step over the line or act inappropriately, though if unaccustomed to this kind of flirtation, Italian charm can come across rather pushy.

Due to the intense attention and being alone, my Kiwi friend came to the rescue, deciding it was best to take me home. I will forever be grateful that he could sense I was feeling uncomfortable. Flirty Italian men.

To this day, I feel that leaving the club was the best move, and that shirt has never been worn since! If attention from Italian men is the aim of the game, by all means, a shirt stating your intentions will likely do the trick. Though take it from me, buy a backup just in case for when the attention becomes too intense! How to find an Italian man who is charming.

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Women from all corners of the world flock to Italy to enjoy Italian art, history, and cuisine. But what they don’t tell their husbands and boyfriends is that a little part of them may secretly lust after the scenario where a Latin lover will conquer them with a smouldering glance and whisk them away on their scooters to woo them in some secluded olive grove! The rest of us? We do our best to resist!

Women from all corners of the world flock to Italy to enjoy Italian art, history, and cuisine. But what they don’t tell their husbands and boyfriends is that a little part of them may secretly lust after the scenario where a Latin lover will conquer them with a smouldering glance and whisk them away on their scooters to woo them in some secluded olive grove! The rest of us? We do our best to resist!

Lauren Owen is one half of #ljojlo; and Australian couple travel blogging simply because.

This time a year ago it seemed only dream, for both LJO and JLO distant they seemed. As time past they called each other mate, a relationship beckoned it must have been fate. Now the trip of a lifetime is booked, with one read they hope to have you hooked.

Lego figures to symbolise who they are, they will travel with them, here and far. In case you didn’t know they are off overseas, where we will write this blog in order to please.

Follow Lauren on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.

Photo credits: Featured photo by cristian. Italian on a bike by José Manuel Ríos Valiente. “Mirrors” by André Benedix.