"Poor Americans" weak $/subprime loans discount in Venice

[southoctracker_IHB]

ROME - Harry's Bar, the famed Venice watering hole where Ernest Hemingway held court over hearty food and stiff martinis, is offering a discount to "poor" Americans suffering from a weak dollar and subprime blues.<p>





The decision by the owner of the restaurant, one of the most expensive even when the U.S. currency is strong, underscores the growing concern about the weak dollar among tourism operators in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.



A sign posted outside the restaurant at the weekend reads:

"Harry's Bar of Venice, in an effort to make the American victims of subprime loans happier, has decided to give them a special 20 percent discount on all items of the menu during the short term of their recovery." ...



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23997079/



How sad...the world is taking pity on us poor Americans.

 

[halfnote19_IHB]

I don't know if it is so much as pity but looking out for their best interest.

<blockquote>Since the start of January, we noticed a drop in (American) customers of between five and 10 percent and now that we are in April its looks really frightening</blockquote>

 

[acpme_IHB]

it seems odd to travel all the way to europe, to a city with as much history and culture as venice, only to dine at a place called harry's bar.

 

[southoctracker_IHB]

[quote author="acpme" date=1207699035]it seems odd to travel all the way to europe, to a city with as much history and culture as venice, only to dine at a place called harry's bar.</blockquote>


Exactly...and it's also odd that they can afford to fly to Venice and then suddenly are out of money. Yep, the exchange rate sucks right now - I should know, I was in Europe recently. Very painful indeed. My best advice is to try and take a cruise that is sold in USD :smirk:

 

[caycifish_IHB]

I, too, thought it was odd that someone with "subprime blues" would be all the way in Venice.

 

[skek_IHB]

.

 

[jbatzmaru_IHB]

i guess the Italian just slap us American across the face with that one. hahahahaa damn subprimer is making all of us American look bad.

 

[alan_IHB]

[quote author="acpme" date=1207699035]it seems odd to travel all the way to europe, to a city with as much history and culture as venice, only to dine at a place called harry's bar.</blockquote>


I don't know. Most people I know traveling to Europe buy travel packages that includes airfare, hotel, some tours and a few meals but they then have some time to explore on their own and have to buy some of their own meals. When my folks went with a tour a couple years ago they went off the tour and stopped in a cafe on their own for lunch and said burgers were $15 ameirican and beers were $10 american... I bet it's worse now. If you don't speak or read Italian, then a cafe called Harry's that looks American and speaks English may seem a good place to stop after walking around looking at the sites for several hours.



my two cents....