Posted on April 24, 2009 by Fiona Hilliard

With its beautiful people, wonderful food and heavenly climate, Italy appears to have it all.  Well I thought so anyway, then I took to the roads of Tuscany.  Don’t mean to burst the bubble, but Italians have got to be up there with the worst drivers in the world.  It’s like as soon as they step into their Fiat, the rulebook goes out the window as driving plays second fiddle to beauty treatments, casual flirting and general showing off.

What follows are a few of my observations (and what I gathered the driver was trying to communicate). 

Left indicator flashing:

Meaning:

I am turning left/I am turning left some time later today/I might be turning right/I might be stopping suddenly.

Hand outside window, waving slowly up and down:

Meaning:

I am drying my nail polish (female)

My palms are sweaty (male)

Left hand outside window, swaying casually (obviously a difficult feat, considering Italians drive on the right).

Meaning:

Look at my Gucci watch.

I could go on, but hold on a second, I might be wrong here.  Italians might be the greatest drivers in the world and I’m completely overreacting.  Seen worse?  Let’s settle this with a poll!