Two women punch it out in fight over selfie spot at Rome's iconic Trevi fountain
Ever since the selfie craze took over the world, people go to extreme lengths to ensure that they have the perfect angle, lighting and the background for their snaps. Afterall, it is all about likes in the world of social media. However, this craze can sometimes manifest in unsavory ways, giving pause for a thought whether it is even worth it.
Recently, police had to step in to stop a fight at Rome's famous Trevi fountain, where two women failed to come to terms on who would click a selfie at the spot first. To make matters worse, their respective families also got involved in the fight.
The fight was between a Dutch tourist, 19, and an Italian-American woman, 44. The two ladies did not hesitate to throw in some slaps and punches as they fought for the selfie spot.
As reported by Daily Mail, the incident first started with the two women verbally squaring off against each other in a bid to use the spot first. However, things turned ugly and the altercation took a physical form. Various reports suggest that the two women were quite adamant about taking the selfie in the same spot and unfortunately, neither of them was ready to wait for a while. The argument resulted in the police intervening. However, they were able to reach a truce only for a couple of minutes.
Two more police officers had to be called in order to end the argument between the two. Neither women were charged. Both sustained bruises. People were shocked to see how a selfie could make two women fight. At the same time, people on social media could also not believe the news.
Many took to Twitter to express how a selfie spot could trigger violent reactions. "I weep for humanity," wrote one user. Another added, "Oh for Pete’s sake. Grow up, it’s a bloody selfie." "Nobody is willing to wait their turn these days. They all want to jump to the front," wrote another. Meanwhile, some also expressed their frustration on how everything was suddenly about taking pictures and posting it online.
"I know a girl whose one goal was to visit Rome Then she finally got to Rome And all she did was post pictures for people at home 'Cause all that mattered was impressin' everybody she's known," read a comment. The Trevi Fountain was designed by architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762. The spot attracts a number of visitors every year. The site has also made appearances on many movies like 'Three Coins in the Fountain', 'The Lizzie McGuire Movie', and others.
Last year, in order to ensure that the fountain is kept clean, officials announced tourists could be fined €240 (£215) for eating or drinking near the Trevi. Washing in it or sitting on it is also forbidden. Councilors are also thinking about creating a route to bypass the fountain to address issues of overcrowding.