Take a seat??

Anyone who has visited Venice knows that Rule No 1 is - do not sit down in St Mark's Square.  I first visited La Serenissima on a school trip in the early 1950s and remember that was drilled into us.  The reason of course is, then as now, the cafe owners all round the square charge top, top prices for their wares and if you are foolish enough to sit down to enjoy them, the price immediately doubles or trebles.  Only the other day, someone was complaining that they had been charged the best part of £40 for two coffees and two small bottles of water.  But now the city fathers intend to go one better, and charge you €500 for sitting down anywhere in the city other than in "designated" spots.  It's not clear whether this is designed to protect the city's infrastructure - it is of course slowly sinking - or whether it is in some way connected to what is seen as "unacceptable" behaviour by some tourists.  But whatever, think twice before resting your aching feet!