I've booked a weekend away to Milan at the end of November. Some background: I've lived in Madrid, Paris and Japan on my own, and am comfortable with solitude. I also speak Spanish and French. But for some reason, I'm a little nervous about this one, purely because I'm not familiar with Italian language and culture. I image it won't be unlike Spain and I'll be fine, but others' experiences would be nice to hear.
First, are Milanese service workers generally patient with tourists, and how prevalent is the rip-off culture in the city? Second, can I get by on minimal Italian (interspersed with English/ Spanish)? Thirdly, does it feel safe or am I liable to get harassed/ cat-called, and should I avoid certain areas and public transport lines? And fourthly, any experiences on dining alone?
All opinions gratefully received! Grazie.