Excuse me but....is it me or is this forum home to some of the most nieve people alive.If you buy a house in another country, no matter what state it is in do you not ask the relavant questions at the time; like1) how much tax will I have to pay i
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Just a warning to those not aware; there will be a strike by Border Control staff covering most UK Airports and Ports on Wednesday 30th Nov.
Fri, 11/25/2011 - 12:49
For anybody who likes to keep an eye out on the weather or sights of Italy, I use this site.
Fri, 11/11/2011 - 06:38
FOR SALE.One slightly used but much loved Forum (also answers to the name Community).House trained and usually well behaved, but can leave a mess.
Fri, 10/21/2011 - 07:48
http://ht.ly/6nwDSlooks like a rail strike from 17/09/11 to 18/09/11....check before you or your family travel...
Wed, 09/07/2011 - 11:27
Found this report:ANSA) - Rome, July 15 - One Italian household in five isliving in poverty, Istat said Friday.For large families in the poorer south of the country, thefigures rises to one in two, the national statistics agencysaid.More than eigh
Tue, 07/19/2011 - 10:38
Not being one to moan (oh well yes I am really), but of late numerous Topics seem to get side tracked and off the subject of the Post.
Fri, 06/10/2011 - 11:31
With all the serious posts around at the moment Cost of this, Dangers of that, how much is this going to cost me and should I rewire my house etc (no disrespect intended to any poster); but I though we should lighten up the discussions with a ver
Fri, 02/18/2011 - 09:34
Buon Natale e un Felice Anno Nuovo.
Hope everyone has a good Christmas with plenty of good food, good company and presents; wether you're celebrating in Italy or elsewhere.
Wed, 12/22/2010 - 06:32
Comments posted
Well it all depends on your Political outlook Gala, but if you talk to people here in Italy, and disregard what the populist media are saying then your perspective might change. To say Berlusconi is anything else but a manipulative, corrupt, odious shitweasel, is incorrect and his party are about as 'traditional' as rickets.
Also check with GAIA the water people as they inspect water sources and monitor supplies, even though the water may be on your land you may not necessarily be able to use it.
If you get a chance to view that Programme that was on BBC4 last night that Joy pointed out, it pretty much sums up what is wrong in Italy very well.
Just watched it on the iPlayer, the overwhelming conclusion that Italy can better it self, but.....Italians can't be arsed. No change there then, the guy who said Italians worst sin is Sloth hit the nail on the head.
I think you are slightly wrong in assuming that Grillo got his votes from the 'disgruntled'; speaking to quite a few people who voted for his party, it seems that they were excited at the possibility of a wholesale change in how Italy is governed, and their candidates were mainly 'Professionals' who saw at first hand how Italy is being 'raped' by people out for their own good. It is easy to believe the spin placed on Grillo and his followers by the media, because it has been a long time since any politician seemed to have the Countries rather than the Individuals welfare at heart. Far from being a shouty Clown Gala, a lot of people think Grillo is a viable alternative to either 'Populist' Parties; and by the percentage of votes his party received, I tend to believe it. Let the bargaining begin.....
That'll be a first Gala. Italians have for a long time now, and I am generalising here, have a '' I'm all right Giacomo '' outlook, especially in rural Italy; that's why the Politics of Berlusconi have been successful. His main thrust in this election has been scrapping the IMU and refunding last year, which is now getting funds back into the Comunes at last, albeit paltry sums in context to what they now need. The main problem as I see it is the lack of someone to overall the Political system and cut down the number of upper and lower house members, and start trimming the fat off the lumbering Government beast. Then again it would mean stopping the easy ride for most politicians, which brings us back to the beginning again and self betterment. Grillo did so well because the public at last see that the whole system needs to change before politics, right or left can make any measures work.
Well voting has now closed and going by the online voting info from the Comune, it looks like a good turnout with nearly 70% of the Electorate voting, if the figures are to be believed. The overwhelming feeling by talking to various people is that the Centre Left will gain control over both Houses. Let the counting begin....
Grillo seems to have different agendas to those who are actually standing for the lower house in his party; I've seen several interviews who say that what the 5 Star party stand for is not what Grillo actually says i.e. referendum on the Euro etc. As he will not be taking a seat and is only the Spokesperson for the movement, in typical Italian fashion the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.... The safe bet is a Bersani/Monti coalition.
Not sure about a cat register but all Dogs 'have to be' registered, which includes chipping [cost €16] with the regional health body ASL (a practice not really followed by most Italians) there is a fine if you are caught out (we know to our cost when our dogs went to kennels and a snap inspection took place), but like Gala says ask your local Vet for advice.
As Sebastiano rightly says, if you are coughing up €1k+ for any item, get it from a store that specialises or is an agent for that equipment. It may seem like you are getting a good deal by buying it from a DIY type store but if it goes wrong you are usually left in the middle between the store and their supplier, neither one wishing to take responsibility.