Stewards in Saint Mark's Square

If you ever get to Venice, one of the places to see is Saint Mark’s Square, the spot Napoleon called “the drawing room of Europe.” Nevertheless, if you go there, make sure your belly is covered up. They do not have a dress code, but they do expect decorum.

Venice had 20 million visitors last year, so at any given time, there can be thousands of people in this famous square, which is surrounded by great architecture and sites of historic importance. Nevertheless, some people just do not get it, and they are not above wandering onto the square bare-chested or with their midriff exposed. Some carelessly drop litter and others try to set out picnic lunches on the square. Still others treat the nearby Grand Canal as if it were a beach.

The city leaders view these behaviors as disrespectful of the place. City council member Augusto Salvadori, who is in charge of tourism and the city’s image, explains, “Venice is a city of art and a city that belongs to the world. Guests are welcome — but Venice has to be respected.”

Indeed, the city leaders have no interest in keeping tourists away, but they do want people to observe the niceties. So recently, in addition to posting signs naming the prohibitions, they have started employing a squad of women as stewards of the square to make sure tourists are not taking unwarranted liberties.

These stewards, several of whom can speak more than one language to deal with foreign tourists, patrol the square and are ready to intervene at the first sign of unacceptable behavior. They wear special T-shirts to identify their role, and they try to do their work in a friendly way. For example, if a family starts to lay out a picnic, a steward will direct them to a location where the city permits such activity. Most visitors whom a steward corrects respond positively. However, when tourists turn belligerent, the women are able to call in police backup who can hand out fines ranging from 25 to 500 euros.

Actually, the stewards are not there to stop people from enjoying themselves, but to remind them of the importance of conducting themselves in a way that recognizes the specialness of the place.

Most local people agree with the idea of stewards in the square. They appreciate that the city is imposing some standards.

Venice is not alone in its efforts to hold the line. You cannot go into St. Peter’s in Rome in shorts or sleeveless blouses, and several other significant tourist spots have certain standards.

What is more, most of us can think of some places where some standards stewards might be useful. The attire of some people at funerals might be an example.

The point is not attire and manners. The point is that on occasion, we need a steward to direct us in how to be in the public square of life. That can be hard to hear in our individualist, don’t-fence-me-in society, but it is true nonetheless.

Paul will say in Romans 8:1-11 that all of us struggle between the demands of the flesh and the aspirations of the human spirit. The first leads to death and the latter to life and peace. His point is that the Holy Spirit can help us pay attention to the things that lead to life. Granted, sometimes the decision is “easy,” in the sense that we know the difference. On some occasions, the decisions are not quite so obvious. In either case, the Holy Spirit can be our guide, our steward, who helps makes the choices that lead to life.