I branched out a bit, researching towns that would make the cut if the Cinque (5) Terre were called the Sette (7) Terre. Sestri Levante comes with an adorable sandy beach ‘ something you won’t see in the more exotic Cinque Terre towns. Taking a short coffee break, my guide Andrea explains his theories about American women on cruise ships who’ve had plastic surgery and drool a lot.
If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.
Comments
Are both of you crazy? I don`t think insulting American women will cause them to flock to one of your tours and who cares what you and some silly guide think about natural and cosmetic. I would recommend you hire a PR expert pronto.
Aye – not as bad as I was expecting. Some `flotsam and jetsam` video there, I`d say, but that`s OK. I DO have to agree with Andrea, though. I never really understood the `plastic surgery vacation`, as if it`s perfectly OK to `inflict` your post-surgery self upon some peoples, but not those back at home. Why not just stay home for a few weeks, then take that vacation? If you`re spending that kind of money on your breasts, nose, or lips, you can squeak out a few more dollars for some recuperation time at home. At least the `droolers` aren`t blocking your view of `Venus` at the Louvre while having their photo taken…
love the solo `stache. rick, i think you need one as well.
mmmh..and which would the 6th terra be? :-))Today I met a few ladies travelling with one of your tours,they were really nice and enthusiastic about the whole thing! where so? in Levanto of course! you coming again? during the week end the tunnels to bonassola are open ( while during the week they are closed because new lights must be put up)! As you can see I`m following you! (spooky) Alessandra PS without my scottish friend supervising my writing (like previous mail) eventually my english is running mad and freeee
Jim, Everything I do is not to promote tours. This is just a conversation I found interesting. And, believe it or not, I share it expecting it to do the opposite of selling tours. Rick
But a lot of what you do is highly self-indulgent. No one sets out to criticize RS. RS brings that upon himself. Which is ok as long as it doesn`t jeopardize employees who depend upon you for their livelihoods.
I do not see how this will hurt Rick`s tour business. The women who would be drawn to a Rick Steves` tour do not seem to me to be the kind of women who feel the need to have plastic surgery to enlarge their lips and busts. Andrea was saying a woman`s natural beauty is best.
My husband and I have always joked about how many trips to Europe we could do for one plastic surgery. I would rather travel, I am going to get old anyway!
I read all the comments before seeing the video and I think the criticism is unwarranted. What they said wasn`t exactly damning or a blanket attack and, more importantly, seems to be true. Young women don`t need surgically plumped lips or breasts. 50? It`s understandable, but even then I personally find it undesirable. CHEERS to interesting, provocative conversation.
These video clips are interesting, fun, like quick snapshots. But I hope Rick is not going to give up the thoughtful, more in-depth written commentary. A mix of writing and videos would be best. Rick, dont go totally YouTube on us here.
I am interested to read that RS makes comments intended to discourage tour prospects. That is certainly his business. He might be interested to know that the fastest growing segment of the public seeking plastic surgery are men. A few other corrections are in order. First, plump lips are not the result of plastic surgery. It can be done by nurses and involves injections. Second, Plastic surgery vacations involve the surgery and recovery be done overseas. Why not enjoy a relaxing adventure while in recovery? This cost is usually less than surgery alone in the U.S. due to the high cost of medical care in the U.S. The practioners are skilled in foreign countries. As breast cancer treatment improves more treatments involves implants. I hope this helps the critics. Finally if you men like natural I hope you like hairy armpits and unshaved legs. This is common in many foreign countries and was big during the 60`s counter culture in the U.S. I find facial hair on women a turn off, in case anyone is interested.
Just as I wouldn`t want to travel while sick, I wouldn`t want to be recovering from a surgery while trying to enjoy a vacation. Am I really going to be able to appreciate the experience when I`m possibly in pain, physically restricted, bandaged, etc.? As far as being natural is concerned, I think there`s a major difference between shaving, applying makeup, bathing and a medical procedure. I don`t see any hypocrisy or conflict there. As for breast surgery after cancer, that`s restoring what a woman once had before disease robbed her of it, no reasonable person should be against what amounts to a prosthetic.
It is hilarious, and true. Big lips, make one look feckless and absurd. It is inane for women to do it. I`m lucky there are plenty that look stunning (and normal) without such nonsense. I would not want to be on a tour with the type that gets such a horrid procedure anyway. Hopefully it keeps them away.
Funny clip, and I agree with Andrea. Unfortunately the American culture teaches women that their worth is directly dependent on their beauty. Intelligence, hardwork, kindness are all trumped by fake hair, fake nails, fake eyelashes, fake breasts, sexy pictures…etc, etc… I work with teenage girls and the number that have presented for evaluation for breast augmentation in the last few years is beyond ridiculous………..I`m glad someone is pointing out how ridiculous it all is…
Andrea is hysterical….and totally right on. His take on the drooling is pure gold. I have heard that Brazil is the cosmetic surgery capital of the world. Has anyone else heard this?
“I would rather travel, I am going to get old anyway!” This.