Wild Behavior Puts Venice Gondoliers on Notice
- 11 years ago
A hazing incident involving some of Venice’s gondoliers has caused the president of their professional organization to campaign for mandatory alcohol and drug testing.
Gondolas are an integral part of Venetian landscape.
Now, a hazing incident involving some of Venice’s gondoliers has caused the president of their professional organization to campaign for mandatory alcohol and drug testing.
It seems a young man hoping to join their ranks as an assistant was forced by a bunch of intoxicated boat drivers to strip and submerge himself into the canal.
Naturally, somebody captured it all on video and posted it to YouTube, although it has since been taken down.
The display of debauchery proved to be the boiling point for an already simmering pot filled with allegations of public drunkenness and on-the-job bad behavior.
Council members say they’ve been fielding complaints about the gondoliers for some time, and in the specific case of the men involved in the hazing, called to have their licenses revoked.
A statement released by some of the council members said, "Gondoliers represent our city in the world and must therefore respect historical and traditional values, as well as human dignity."
The proposed random testing would also include all watercraft operators on the city’s crowded canals.
Gondolas are an integral part of Venetian landscape.
Now, a hazing incident involving some of Venice’s gondoliers has caused the president of their professional organization to campaign for mandatory alcohol and drug testing.
It seems a young man hoping to join their ranks as an assistant was forced by a bunch of intoxicated boat drivers to strip and submerge himself into the canal.
Naturally, somebody captured it all on video and posted it to YouTube, although it has since been taken down.
The display of debauchery proved to be the boiling point for an already simmering pot filled with allegations of public drunkenness and on-the-job bad behavior.
Council members say they’ve been fielding complaints about the gondoliers for some time, and in the specific case of the men involved in the hazing, called to have their licenses revoked.
A statement released by some of the council members said, "Gondoliers represent our city in the world and must therefore respect historical and traditional values, as well as human dignity."
The proposed random testing would also include all watercraft operators on the city’s crowded canals.