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Venice's First Female Gondolier...Is A German Who Can't Drive
I'm all for non-discrimination in the workplace, but from where I'm sitting it sounds like, in the case of Alexandra Hai, the Italian courts made a fundamental mistake. Apparently, after a 10-year struggle, this German woman has breached one of Italy's oldest male-only clubs to become Venice's first female gondolier. Although she can't sing and has yet to pass her gondola-steering exam, a regional court recently ruled that she can ferry guests along the city's famous canals.During her ordeal, Hai claims she faced rude gondoliers and discrimination on the part of the Italian Gondola Association, which she believes conspired to exclude her from the profession -- males-only since 1094. However, Roberto Luppi, president of the IGA, dismisses this, claiming, "It is very important to be able to steer a gondola. That is why we have the exam."
According to the exuberant Hai, "I am delighted. It has been my mission. I promise not to wear jeans and I have a beautiful gondola, clean and built according to tradition." While I applaud Hai's persistence, I'm curious to know if tourists will prefer a gondolier who can pass their "driver's test."
[Thanks, Karen!]
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Italy
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Nicholas Apr 8th 2007 6:33AM
Power to the people. Welcome to the 21st centery
Bev Apr 8th 2007 6:32AM
Some traditions just shouldn't be broken and this is one of them.
Lisa Apr 8th 2007 7:10AM
I have no problem with a femlae gondolier, BUT she has to be able to steer, otherwise she's a hazard to everyone else on the water. Pass the test....learn to sing....and you'll be in business.
Colleen Apr 8th 2007 12:59PM
Why can't girls leave the boys' jobs alone? We don't have to do everything they do. Besides, they can't have babies.
Wendy Apr 8th 2007 7:08AM
Get over it, in America once upon a time truckers were only men, taxi drivers were only men, etc., etc. So why a gondolier should be different? More power to her that she wants be a gondolier and thank you Italy for allowing her. And If she passes their test and does a great job, stop the prehistoric attitudes and be happy for her. The next time I'm in Italy I'll make sure I seek her for a ride on the gondolier.
Wendy
Wendy Apr 8th 2007 7:09AM
Get over it, in America once upon a time truckers were only men, taxi drivers were only men, etc., etc. So why a gondolier should be different? More power to her that she wants be a gondolier and thank you Italy for allowing her. And If she passes their test and does a great job, stop the prehistoric attitudes and be happy for her. The next time I'm in Italy I'll make sure I seek her for a ride on the gondolier.
Wendy
Mike Apr 8th 2007 7:16AM
Ah er Um....isn't there a war going on? Where's Italy? Oh ya that's right there creating flippin news about some foolish story.....
Richard Apr 8th 2007 7:19AM
Wow, women gondolier's! What's next Italy, women priests? WTG, show us the way to full equality.
John Apr 8th 2007 7:41AM
With a little common sense, some gender lines are better left unblurred. Girls in the Boy Scouts, boys in the Girl Scouts, a female gondolier breaking a tradition this old, for what? She isn't even Italian.
Arlene ed Arturo Apr 8th 2007 7:47AM
Whatsamatta you? At'sa Ok wid us iffa dis'a
signora want-a push-a gondola. But shes-a gonna hafta learn-a to sing, an-a to steer-a da gondola. How youse a-like it if you on-a nice-a vacation in-a Venezia and some-a stupid boatman push-a da gondola right into da ristorante an-a you getta algae in-a you marinara sauce? An-a sing: "O sola mio!!!"
At-sa good!
Trish Apr 8th 2007 8:25AM
afraid you men will lose all the jobs to women, John?? lol
and thanks for your comment, Richard...you're a real man...
Rock on, Sisters!!!!
lin Apr 8th 2007 10:37AM
Perhaps the steering test is part of the discrimination. are they giving her the same test etc as they give the men? was that part of the lawsuit?
M. Apr 8th 2007 8:48AM
I think women will stay out of Gondoling. It's 900 years old and that seems like breaking a HUGE tradition. I don't think women should not be allowed.
Larry Spilman Apr 8th 2007 8:56AM
Hey Mike...Because there is a war going on...shall we all hide under the bed til it's over. Grow up!!!
John Apr 8th 2007 9:00AM
I have no problem with women gondoleers. But you if you read some of the supporting articles, it seems this lady failed the gondoleer exam three times, mostly over not being able safely control the boat. She gave up on taking the exam and proceeded to operate her gondola without a license, against city ordinance. She did not bring her suit until the police caught her and tried to shut her down.
Tearsa Apr 8th 2007 9:02AM
I'm sorry, but I think some things need to be left alone. This is one of them. Gondoliers should remain ONLY men.
Gorrab Apr 8th 2007 9:18AM
Bravo! This lady sounds very respectful of the tradition. I think she should be accepted by all of the Gondolier's. If she was disrespectful of the tradition, it would be another matter.
jean franczyk Apr 8th 2007 9:18AM
This young lady will steer her way right to the top.
good luck and God bless :)
eelsemajrj Apr 8th 2007 9:21AM
I AM A CAPTAIN ON THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL THE SECOND LARGEST PORT IN THE USA AND THERE ARE WOMEN PILOTING GIANT SHIPS EVERY DAY ON THE WATERFRONT WITH TRAFFIC THAT WOULD REMIND YOU OF AN INTERSTATE HYWAY. GOD DID NOT MAKE A WOMENS BRAIN SMALLER THAN A MANS JUST MOST OF THEM ARE A LITTLE SMALLER IN BODY SIZE.
k9aub Apr 8th 2007 9:22AM
This is ridiculous! This isn't about women seeking equality. It's about a woman breaking a 900-year old tradition that has enthralled tourists for countless generations. Where is the harm of preserving ancient traditions? It's not like gondolas are an integral part of transportation in Europe. If this woman wants to drive a battleship, that's fine with me. But Venice is a unique city with a unique ancient tourist attraction. When you break up the tradition, you lessen the appeal of the attraction! If I go to Venice on vacation to see the sights, and discover that my gondolier's name is Helga, I'm going to feel like I was robbed of my experience! Ancient traditions should be respected and preserved, not used as a weapon by a selfish and militant group with an agenda. What's next? Gondoliers wearing Burqas? May we expect La Traviata to be performed with not Alfredo and Violetta, but Frieda and Violetta? ENOUGH!