Consulate of Italy in San Francisco was rude.?

Question

Hey guys. I'm from US California, and very angry right now. Are people in consulate always rude??? consulate of Italy was very rude in San Francisco they didnt let me speak and perhaps didnt bother to give me a visa(for 3 days) Are Italians rude? was I wrong this whole time being a soccer fan?

It wasnt just me, it was everyone else being treated really really bad. They werent nice, and they were there as if they were doing us a favor. It suck because my cousin is half italian and shes in italy and was waiting for me to get the visa and go there, so she could show me her country.

I feel like calling the ebmassador.

Answer 1

I deal with the Italian Vice Consulate in Newark NJ on a fairly consistent basis and have yet to encounter rudeness and actually to wait 3 days for a visa is not a long time. Italians in general are not rude quite the contrary.  Most are helpful and considerate.  Occasionally you will get the one who act like they are doing you a favor but that is something that is ingrained in the culture ( you will find that kind of "attitude" in banks when you exchange money and with Italian custom workers at the airports---unfortunately you have to learn how to play the game).  Government positions like those in the Consulate are usually held for "life" and sometimes they forget who they work for.  Do not let your unfortunate experience taint your view of Italians.  Italy is a fantastic country filled with warm, friendly people.  I am confident that once you get there you will see the Italy I know and love.  Have a great time when you are there.

Answer 2

I think you just dealt with a couple jerks. You can't let a few bad apples ruin the whole crate.  I'd go back and hide a rotten egg somewhere just to stick it to them.

Answer 3

That person was just having a bad day. Italians aren't all rude. Just relax.

Answer 4

no no no not rude... italians rock.  report her..........

Answer 5

They didn't let you speak.. What exactly was your 'job' there anyway? Don't get me wrong, it's not respectable to act in a rude manner, but unless you're rich, giving them money, or the President, I don't believe they think that highly of you.

Answer 6

it happens but that sucks..it has nothing to do with your love of soccer...brazilian consulate is nothing like that...in fact they love tourists...

but you should call them and complain and be extremely polite but that you feel enraged and WILL call your ambassador as well as your congressman!!!

PLUS..get the name of the person who belittled you and report them by name!

Answer 7

Culture clash, Italians are old school most Americans are new school either that or you just got unlucky but don't judge a whole nation on one experience. Go with an open mind & you will love the experience.

Answer 8

Italy embassy staffs in sf, are very nice people.

Perhaps you look and talk like a jew cabal, or you don't look any thing like italian... and your cousin 1/2 italian and 1/2 what black, chinese, jew, or arabs you didn't mention that either.

bottom line you deserve what you come for rude !!!

Answer 9

You met a rude Italian and you want to know if all Italians are rude and if you made a mistake being a soccer fan?  Is this question for real?  It would be like me asking, "Does everyone named Nicole ask silly questions, and was it mistake for me to drink California wine?"

Answer 10

If you are from the US, are you a US citizen?  If so, you do not need a visa for Italy, or the rest of the Schengen Zone, for tourism stays of up to 90 days.  If you are a Legal Permanent Resident, or other lawful resident, did you provide proof of your status and residence, as required?  

Aside from that, it's hard to know where to start:

People in consulates are not always rude; I truly doubt you were not allowed to say anything, perhaps just not all of what you felt you needed to say; it's hard to understand what "perhaps didnt bother to give me a visa(for 3 days)" actually means; Italians are like people all over the world - some rude, some not rude; basing being a soccer fan on whether you deem a nationality to be rude, or not rude, is rather odd; employees are not paid to be nice - they are there to serve a function (oh, and how nice were you?); actually, they are doing you a favor - a visa is a privilege, not a right; if your cousin in half Italian, then based on your post, you must wonder if she is half rude; the Italian ambassador to the US is in Washington, DC, not at the consulate in San Francisco, which is overseen by the consul general; I doubt that the consul general would bother to take your call; and finally, if you don't think much of Italians, I suggest you not go to Italy.