Umbrellas: The New Pickup Line

As mentioned in my earlier post, I firmly believe that all Italian men are, in fact, insane. This point was proven to me, yet again, yesterday afternoon as I headed into town to meet up with a friend for lunch.

It was raining, quite heavily, probably the second day of actual rain that we've had since arriving in Siena. It was chilly, I'd been shivering all day, and had donned a tank, two sweaters, and my heavy jacket to head out. While walking toward Il Campo, I had seen several people who were soaking wet because the had been lulled into a false sense of security by the beautiful and sunny morning and had left their umbrellas at home. My host mother, luckily, reminded me to bring mine, otherwise I would have been in the same boat.

Now, granted, I stick out. I have a dark red peacoat and a bright polka dot umbrella. I'm sure people see me on the street. Black is a popular color here, and I think that I stick out like a sore thumb. On this particular day, decked out in my red and polkadots, an Italian man (I say man because he was easily 35) asked me if he could share my umbrella for a bit. I said yes, he was soaking wet and I didn't want to be rude. I'd do it for just about anyone. I figured he was just going to hunch under it, but no, he looped his arm through mine and quite casually started asking me what I was doing there and if I was Italian (surprisingly enough, I get Italian first, apparantly my coloring fits right in). I told him I was studying Italian for the semester and that I was on my way to meet a friend of mine for lunch. He then quite casually asked me if this young man I was meeting was my boyfriend, and I became very suspicious of his questioning. He asked me if I wanted to get a coffee or something to drink sometime, quickly tossed his number into my phone, gave me his name, and headed off. I was dumbfounded. Since when has the umbrella become a new way to try to pick up girls? This is an interesting developement in the courtship of the opposite sex.

On a side note, I have had no less than 4 different italians give me their phone numbers and try to pick me up. In America, this never happens. Ever. I am rarely approached by American guys, which I suppose is a good thing. I have yet to figure out if I have a giant "Get away from me" sign on my forehead or not, but if I do, clearly the Italian male population cannot read it or blatantly ignores it.

So, in conclusion, my dear gentlemen friends, if all else fails, try asking a girl to share her umbrella. I guaruntee she won't say no.