New data from a YouGov poll of European holidaymakers indicates that Italian and French individuals are more prone to reserving sunloungers with towels than their German counterparts. The findings challenge a longstanding stereotype often associated with Germans.
The poll revealed that 45% of Italian and French holidaymakers who stay in places with pools and sunloungers reported having reserved a lounger with a towel. This compares to 38% of German holidaymakers. Britons were found to be the least likely to admit to this practice, at 33%.
While 51% of Germans and 46% of Britons associate Germans with the practice of reserving sunloungers, this perception is shared by only 5-17% of those surveyed in other European countries. Across all countries polled, 60-82% of people considered the practice unacceptable.
In Italy, coastal authorities are addressing a related issue of 'umbrella cheats' (furbetti dell’ombrellone), who leave umbrellas pitched overnight to reserve prime beach spots. In late July, authorities near Naples seized 40 items, including umbrellas and loungers, during a dawn sweep of a free beach. Fines of up to €500 can be issued for those caught.