Italian Court Ruling Hits Men Below the Belt

[Cugetit]

Filched the title from the World News section in the Telegraph today. Have you ever heard of anything like this. Italian man has been fined �152 and paid costs of �762 for "obstentatiously touching his genitals through his clothing". His lawyers claimed he had a "compulsive, involuntary movement" because of uncomfortable overalls. Apparently this "habit" is quite common, referred to as "lo mi tocco" (I touch my), and equates to our crossing fingers for good luck. Can you believe that?!!!

[meglet]

Guy at my work sticks his hands down his trousers every time he's on the phone!

[Cugetit]

meg - appreciate the "dry" sense of humour

[monkeyeyes]

A young guy stopped me in the street to ask directions...........he had his hand down his tracky-bottoms.

When I'd finished the quite complicated and involved directions, to show his appreciation he extended his hand to shake mine.

Guess which one ??

[EngTeach]

The touching "down there" for luck stems from warding off the evil eye.

How do I know this, you may be asking? It was part of a reading passage on a practice test in my school. I almost choked the first time I read it. We don't see the materials before the students.

[Cugetit]

EngTeach - Yes, you are right, it mentions about the "evil eye" in the article. The judges in this particular case pointed out that if men needed to grab their crotches, they should wait until they are in the privacy of their own homes. Apparently, common Italian superstitions also include the No 17, purple & black (colours of mourning) and leaving hats on beds (because a priest always leaves his hat on the bed while performing last rites). An alternative to the crotch grab is to make a sign of the horns with the first and fourth fingers.