French and Italians amongst the most frequent 'reservations' for a place on the beach and by the pool

A new study has revealed that the stereotype of Germans being early risers who reserve sunbeds with their towel is not as accurate as once believed. According to research conducted by the YouGov Institute, while 51% of Germans and 46% of British respondents associate Germans with this behavior, the practice is far more common among Italians and French citizens. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about European vacation habits and highlight how cultural norms influence tourist behavior. The survey, which included responses from over 10,000 tourists across multiple European countries, found that 45% of Italian and French participants admitted to using their towels to mark their sunbeds before sunrise. This contrasts sharply with Germany, where only 38% of respondents confirmed they had ever done so. In contrast, British respondents were even less likely to admit to the practice, with just 33% acknowledging it. These figures suggest that while the German stereotype persists in some regions, it is increasingly outdated in others. In Italy, the phenomenon has become so widespread that local authorities have taken action against those who engage in the practice. At the end of July, officials near Naples confiscated 40 umbrellas, sunbeds, and tables left behind overnight by tourists. Similar measures have been implemented in other parts of Italy, including Apulia and Sardinia. Penalties for such actions can reach up to €500, and offenders must go through a complex bureaucratic process to reclaim their belongings. Despite these efforts, the practice continues, often referred to locally as furbetti dell’ombrellone, meaning “umbrella thieves.” In France, the issue is equally prevalent. Chantal Henry, a resident of Menton, told the Guardian that she regularly observes the practice on her local beach. Her friend Virginie Pascual offered a simple explanation: “They’re always the Italians.” Meanwhile, a British expatriate living in France recalled his experience during a holiday in Majorca, where he witnessed a German using a towel to occupy five sunbeds by 5:30 a.m. Such incidents underscore the growing cross-cultural exchange of behaviors among European tourists. The study also revealed that while many Europeans consider this practice inappropriate, ranging from 60% to 82% of respondents finding it unacceptable, between 51% and 63% have personally experienced the frustration of arriving to find all sunbeds occupied. Additionally, 14% to 28% of respondents admitted to removing someone else’s towel to claim space for themselves. These findings indicate that the practice is not only widespread but also deeply ingrained in certain tourist communities. Despite the prevalence of the behavior, many Italians surveyed denied engaging in it directly. However, they acknowledged its existence and described it as a well-known social norm. On free beaches, where there are no assigned spaces, the practice has evolved into a subtle form of informal reservation. This highlights how tourism practices can develop independently of official rules, shaped instead by shared expectations and unspoken agreements among visitors. As summer approaches, the debate over sunbed etiquette is likely to intensify. With increasing numbers of tourists flocking to popular destinations, the tension between personal convenience and communal space management will continue to play out. Whether through formal regulations or informal customs, the struggle to secure a spot under the sun remains a defining feature of the European vacation experience.