I hadn’t been in Rome more than a couple hours when he stepped out next to me on the sidewalk – from the doorway of a bank. He was dressed impeccably in a dark gray suit with all the trimmings – right down to the shiny cuff links. As he moved onto the sidewalk we made eye contact, and as I began to pass him, he commented (in English) on the beauty that was my hair.
I smiled politely. I do have a nice head of hair.
And, as I got a few steps away, the well dressed bank man amended his compliment with a politely-worded question.
“Would you like to f–k?”
Oh, Rome. You know just what to say to a girl.




I LOVE IT! Great way to start the day. You were just what I needed today a “I can’t believe that just happened” laugh.
Amazing. What do you want to bet that he’s probably gotten at least one “sure, why not” in response to that question…..
seriously?!?
So, was it good for you?
Nice. In the frame of mind I am in today….I would have said yes.
Oh. My. God.
So tell us, what did you say next? Did you smile, laugh it off, ignore him, did you care, or did you get offended or flattered….? I think personally, I would be flattered and depending on what he looked like and if he was single….you just never know….I might have said yes…. Did you? *sly smile*
As pickup lines go, it’s right at the bottom.
Really bad.
Wow… he didn’t dance around that at all!
GOD BLESS ITALIANS..
Awesome! I knew there was a reason I needed to go to Rome
Ah Rome… is right! At least there was no BS about it, huh?!
And you OBVIOUSLY said, “I’m so turned on right now” in response yes? I might have gone with, “When in Rome…” just to feel clever.
that pretty much summarizes my experience with italian men when i travelled around there in college….
Wow!!!!
That’s all I can say.
ahahahhahhaahaha thats hilarious! what did you say???
Unfortunately, I agree with lawyerchik1. That line must have worked before if he used it in this situation.
While I can appreciate the no-nonsense approach he was…oh never mind, I’m lying. I think he’s an ass.
Rome is blissfully romantic right up until someone opens their mouth. Then you remember that it’s been the loud, crass, carnal heart of power for something like two-and-a-half THOUSAND years. Some things are genetic…some things are environmental…Rome is proof that the one doesn’t preclude the other.
You are wonderful… We just shared a table ate the beehive and You are great… That’s why we read your blog… You’ve got a unique way of telling common stories…. Thanks….
He wanted to folk? What an odd request.
Another reason to go to Italy, men who say what they think…lol.
You gotta love a man who doesn’t beat around the bush (so to speak)!
seriously? seriously! if bankers on the sidewalk in the daylight are like that, what are horny guys in singles’ bars like? eeek!
So? Did ya?
Oh my god!!!!! that’s all I have to say!
Ahhh Roma… I am so jealous of you right now. Sigh.
I like a man who speaks his mind, but that is just a bit too forward for me. Yikes!
Thanks, Mike. Now I’m trying to use “folk” as a verb. I don’t get songs stuck in my head; I get wordplay stuck in my head. I’m simultaneously trying to come up w/other possible 4-letter verbs that start w/f & end w/k. My brain is creaking.
Sorry, Fish. Loving your travel tales. (fish tales. hee hee)
wow!
gotta love italy
Thanks for the laugh!
I love the way you wrote this vignette– your style is so evocative, I feel like I not only heard the story, I saw the movie. What a brilliant stroke for you to be a travel writer!
When in Rome…..
I think I would’ve done it. Just one of those “I’m on vacation and I had a fling with an Italian man” stories. Hot, very hot;)
Well at least he was honest!
yeah! that’s my favorite line EVER! you did, right?
Everyone here is Cool! hee hee We all Rock!
WOW!! Now, that is a pick up line!! I wonder how that would work in my hometown.
“Laughing hysterically at the thought.”
…AND???
Ah yes. I remember coming back to the States after a summer backpacking Europe, mostly in France and Italy. My friends asked about the men. I told them a Frenchman came up to me on the street, complimented me, and asked me for a drink. The Italian complemented me and asked me for a f*ck.
It constantly amazes me what a change of setting will do for people. Re-frame this story in the setting of a frat boy in a bar and he’d be villified. Dress him in a business suit and drop him in Italy and fans applaud his honesty.
I would definitely be intrigued as to YOUR response. I imagine it was nothing less than the genius I would have come up with thirty minutes later
lol! that guy may have watched one too many sex and the city episodes and thought, “what the hell, i’ll try it.”