Column: finally, Italians! Or not?

Since we opened the doors of our Villa I Due Padroni in 2009, we have received almost exclusively Dutch and Flemish guests. Sometimes a lost German or Englishman or even American would come, but 95% of our customers are really Dutch-speaking.

Italians are also remarkably thin in our guestbook. We sometimes receive a request for a weekend, if there is a holiday or a holiday bridge (a weekend and another public holiday the day before or after), but that usually doesn't fit. Only on New Year's Eve we have had Italians several times, groups of friends who like to celebrate the New Year's Eve outside the door with food, drinks, games and singing. 

That went well for years, with a recurring group of late twenties who did not cause us any nuisance. After that we had younger groups for two years in a row, one of which found it necessary to spray the walls of the apartment sparkling wine (our beautiful photo prints had turned into dripping candles, damage 150 euros, withheld from the deposit) and the other left all the rubbish in garbage bags on the terrace, plus a forest of empty bottles in the kitchen and a huge mess on the counter. After hours of clearing up the rubble, the conclusion was clear: no more Italian young people with New Year's Eve (or any party for that matter).

But now suddenly: bling! A text message from Airbnb (also a rarity): You have a request for a week's stay in July from [Italian name] from Milan. Well, we don't say no to that, because due to the corona crisis it is very questionable whether we can receive guests from outside Italy at all this year. The first cancellations have already been received and the number of visitors to our beautiful, renewed website (www.duepadroni.it) is minimal. Domestic supply is therefore very welcome.

It turns out that they are two families with children who have been cooped up in their apartments in the metropolis of Milan for months and then want to go outside for at least a week this summer. A short, risk-free and mask-free holiday. Very understandable! We'll let you know that the week they've selected is still available. Then I get a direct app, outside Airbnb, from the applicant. Or he can call. That is of course possible.

'Yes, we would like to know whether the swimming pool is private, due to the corona risk.'
"Well, no, if there is a request for the second apartment, we'll take it and then there may be more pool users."
'O.'
'But of course you can also rent both apartments. And if you do that directly with us instead of via Airbnb, you get a nice discount.'
'Okay.'
After some consultation and texting back and forth, we come to an agreement. Yay! Still a booking, both apartments rented out for a week. A stroke of luck!

Another app from the applicant:
"And how's the payment going?"
I let you know that we have a advance, expect 20% deposit on our account.
"Okay, but what if we are not allowed to travel due to a possible decree?"
'Then we will of course refund the deposit, due to force majeure.'
He would like that in black and white via an e-mail. Fine, tick mark, send and ready.
'What is the IBAN of your account?'
It's all on the website, but hey, I'm not the angriest, so tick-de-tap, send and you're done.
'Can I have a contract number for the causal? '
De causal is the reason for the payment that you can state with a transfer, such as an invoice or order number. Of course we don't.
'We are a simple B&B, without rental contracts. Just state the dates of your stay, that's enough.' Tap tick, send and you're done.

Silence.

After a day I check our bank account: none advance.
Next day: nothing.
Day later: still nothing.
I send an email.
Silence.
I'm sending an app.
No answer.
I check the bank account: balance unchanged.
I'll wait a few days.

My blood begins to bubble until my impatience beats my self-control.
"But do you want to make a reservation now or not?"
The Dutch directness has an effect: an immediate answer.
'Yes, no, sorry, you were gentilissim, but we are still in doubt about what we want to do…'
Steam escapes from my ears.

they are still undecided, a primordial Italian state of mind about which I already devoted a bit in my Italian alphabet (in my third book, Even More Italian Conditions). Being so afraid of making a mistake, of having to take a disappointment that you would rather do nothing and wait passively…

I vent to a Dutch colleague in our area.
'Yes, immensely irritating! Exactly the same experience!'
Should we be disappointed or relieved?
Siamo indecisi.

🇮🇹Reading tip: Want to read more fun stories about life in Italy? You can find it in the three parts 'Italiaanse Status' by Stef Smulders, available at bol.com.