touching fruit/vegetables in the market
Jun 3rd, 2005, 05:09 PM
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touching fruit/vegetables in the market
At our local farmers market folks tend to pick up/examine pieces of fruit and vegetables before buying them - in Italy a couple of years ago my SO got her ears chewed for picking up a peach. What's the correct etiquette in Provencal markets? Is it okay to touch the merchandise?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jun 3rd, 2005, 08:00 PM
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You'll find that vendors will ask you when you plan to eat fruit, particularly melons, and will make a selection based on your answer. It's interesting to see a melon chosen "for lunch tomorrow." And they'r inevitably perfect. Be sure to sample one or more of the Charentais variety, difficult to find here at home.
Jun 3rd, 2005, 08:07 PM
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Absolutely do not touch the produce in Italy! I made the mistake innocently and was treated like the most ignorant clod! When I bought a peach, they made a point of giving me the one I had "contaminated"...and they weren't very nice about it. I won't make that mistake again...
By the way, don't touch the purses either--A safe bet would be to not touch anything in Italy!
By the way, don't touch the purses either--A safe bet would be to not touch anything in Italy!
Jun 3rd, 2005, 09:49 PM
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Hi cybertraveler, I agree with your comments 100%. Do NOT touch the merchandise. I have told the story more than once her so will not repeat it again in great detail but it was an Italian friend of mine in Italy who told me to get the zucchini. But I did not know about the plastic glove. Mama mia! What a commotion I caused. LOL
And our first time in Rome (in the 1970's) we were shopping for a dear friend here in CA who was from Italy. Beautiful shop. We saw a crystal, sterling serving dish for freshly grated cheese. My DH picked it up to look at it and the woman who worked in the shop almost physically attacked him. Hmm, we did not buy any othe merchandise there.
Best to walk in, give a greeting, try to indicate what you are interested in and let the person in the shop show you the merchandise.
Not true in stores like UPIM however. But in my experience it appears that even in supermarkets, DO NOT touch the produce until you put on one their supplied plastic gloves.
And our first time in Rome (in the 1970's) we were shopping for a dear friend here in CA who was from Italy. Beautiful shop. We saw a crystal, sterling serving dish for freshly grated cheese. My DH picked it up to look at it and the woman who worked in the shop almost physically attacked him. Hmm, we did not buy any othe merchandise there.
Best to walk in, give a greeting, try to indicate what you are interested in and let the person in the shop show you the merchandise.
Not true in stores like UPIM however. But in my experience it appears that even in supermarkets, DO NOT touch the produce until you put on one their supplied plastic gloves.
Jun 3rd, 2005, 10:04 PM
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LoveItaly, do you have to ask for the gloves, or do they have a box there?
I can't imagine what would happen if I tried on a pair of shoes!!!!!!!
I can understand about the fruit and food, but how on earth can you get a good idea of what you're buying (i.e. leather bags) if you can't touch and feel?
I can't imagine what would happen if I tried on a pair of shoes!!!!!!!
I can understand about the fruit and food, but how on earth can you get a good idea of what you're buying (i.e. leather bags) if you can't touch and feel?
Jun 3rd, 2005, 10:17 PM
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Don't touch in Paris either. We are so used to stores in the states where everyone runs for the back room when you walk in LOL..there ARE exceptions I realize, but for the most part we serve ourselves. I was looking at scarves at Gallerie Lafayette in Paris and doing what I would do here and suddenly I just got this "feeling"..it was in the air, you could cut it with a knife. So, I'm thinking oh geeze, MAJOR fox paws. Well, I happened to like all the scarves I handled including the Lanvin cashmere, so in the end relations between France and the US were saved again. Are the sales people on commission there? If so, she had a great day.
Jun 3rd, 2005, 10:35 PM
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Back to you in a moment nbbrown.....
Oh Crefloors, I can just visual the scene, LOL. Commissions, yes in Italy so probably France too. Oh gads, you really did "a bad" didn't you Crefloors? LOL. But you saved the US reputation by buying a scarf, whew, we all thank you!
nbbrown, here is the situation with that "plastic glove" thing. As much as I love Italy it still annoys me. If you are in a store selling produce you will see (but of course only if you know in advance, LOL) a box like we have with plastic bags. But there is a box with plastic gloves. You take the glove, put it on. Then you chose which produce you want. Into a plastic bag it goes. Than you put that onto a scale and push something - never have completely figured that out. A tag is printed. You stick that on the bag. And than pay that price at the register.
As much as I love Italy, and I do, I do prefer our way in the US. Touch, feel etc. the produce. Take what you want and put it in the plastic bag. Let the cashier at the register figure it out. Soooo much simplier IMHO.
BTW, I have noticed (really noticed actually) with friends in Italy in their home kitchens; some of them (not all of course) don those plastic gloves when they handle food. What is that all about. My best friends don't, but some of their relatives do. Strange.
Anyway, do NOT touch the merchandise unless you are in a store that it is obviousl alright to do that is the motto I guess. Happy travels everyone (when it is not confusing).
Oh Crefloors, I can just visual the scene, LOL. Commissions, yes in Italy so probably France too. Oh gads, you really did "a bad" didn't you Crefloors? LOL. But you saved the US reputation by buying a scarf, whew, we all thank you!
nbbrown, here is the situation with that "plastic glove" thing. As much as I love Italy it still annoys me. If you are in a store selling produce you will see (but of course only if you know in advance, LOL) a box like we have with plastic bags. But there is a box with plastic gloves. You take the glove, put it on. Then you chose which produce you want. Into a plastic bag it goes. Than you put that onto a scale and push something - never have completely figured that out. A tag is printed. You stick that on the bag. And than pay that price at the register.
As much as I love Italy, and I do, I do prefer our way in the US. Touch, feel etc. the produce. Take what you want and put it in the plastic bag. Let the cashier at the register figure it out. Soooo much simplier IMHO.
BTW, I have noticed (really noticed actually) with friends in Italy in their home kitchens; some of them (not all of course) don those plastic gloves when they handle food. What is that all about. My best friends don't, but some of their relatives do. Strange.
Anyway, do NOT touch the merchandise unless you are in a store that it is obviousl alright to do that is the motto I guess. Happy travels everyone (when it is not confusing).
Jun 3rd, 2005, 10:39 PM
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How about this: I am just so used to shopping like an American,I picked up a shoe that was near a window display in a shop in Assisi, tossed it at my feet and put in my foot. Well, the reaction could have brought on the next Ice Age!
It really didn't occur to me what I had done until I was practically escorted out of the store by two horrified salesmen. Well, actually, I was escorted out of the store and the door shut and I think bolted behind me.
Another time I thought I could get away with just peeking into a purse in a store but in trying to be discreet I knocked over another purse which fell from the display. I slinked out of the store myself this time and shut the door behind me to save them the trouble.
It is so ingrained in us now that in the US most stores are self service that it is hard to adjust. In our stores you could wait all afternoon for someone to show you the correct size and most would just say "whatever we have is on the floor, go look through the rack". I wonder how Europeans react to that.
It really didn't occur to me what I had done until I was practically escorted out of the store by two horrified salesmen. Well, actually, I was escorted out of the store and the door shut and I think bolted behind me.
Another time I thought I could get away with just peeking into a purse in a store but in trying to be discreet I knocked over another purse which fell from the display. I slinked out of the store myself this time and shut the door behind me to save them the trouble.
It is so ingrained in us now that in the US most stores are self service that it is hard to adjust. In our stores you could wait all afternoon for someone to show you the correct size and most would just say "whatever we have is on the floor, go look through the rack". I wonder how Europeans react to that.
Jun 4th, 2005, 03:31 AM
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We got the message immediately on our first trip. I picked up some tomatoes to check them out just like I do at our local farmer's market. The proprieter came running to me from the other side of the stall shouting "No! No! No!" and taking them from my hands.
Never did that again.
Never did that again.
Jun 4th, 2005, 04:30 AM
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The El Corte Ingles stores where we shopped in Spain had the same "Don't Touch!" rule. It wasn't really a problem, except that I was a little bit embarrassed when I was gently scolded for touching the fruit.
Jun 4th, 2005, 04:39 AM
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Hi all,
Think of yourself as a shop owner in a town that has several million visitors a year, the vast majority of whom are just browsing.
How long would it take for your merchandise to become so shopworn that you couldn't sell it?
As far as touching food goes: with modern transportation, one can pick up Ebola in Africa and be strolling through the Rue Cler markets before any symptoms appear.
Think of yourself as a shop owner in a town that has several million visitors a year, the vast majority of whom are just browsing.
How long would it take for your merchandise to become so shopworn that you couldn't sell it?
As far as touching food goes: with modern transportation, one can pick up Ebola in Africa and be strolling through the Rue Cler markets before any symptoms appear.
Jun 4th, 2005, 08:58 AM
#18
Pike Place Market Seattle WA you are not supposed to pick up the fruits unless the vendor offers you a sack to choose your own.
So it's not just Europe. Be on the safe side, don't touch the merchandise & don't read the magazines!
So it's not just Europe. Be on the safe side, don't touch the merchandise & don't read the magazines!
Jun 4th, 2005, 09:07 AM
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I have seen signs occaisionaly at some of the farmer's markets regarding squeezing things like avocados and peaches, but we in the US can still handle everything. I go to a farmer's market once a week during the summer and then there is a BIG one in Sacramento that I get to a couple of times during the summer season. You help yourself to everything. The vendors will give you a plastic bag or two to put your stuff in. You pick out what you want, put it in the bag and they weigh it and you pay. So, sorry you guys in Europe, some of us have learned..some ways harder than others, LOL..but this is the way we shop. Those newcomers to European travel certainly mean no disrespect, and you certainly teach us very quickly judging from these posts. 
After my Gallerie Lafayette experience, I did on a few occasions ask if it was OK for me to select. I went up to one of the other floors at Gallerie and was looking at "ladies unmentionables" and they had panties laid out on a table. I went to the sales person and asked if it was OK to look through them and select and she said yes that would be fine. I was careful not to trash everything. I don't think most of us Americans actually intend to tick anyone off, but again different cultures and customs. Once I learned the ropes I behaved differently and I probably have other things to learn. That's part of the joy of travel.
After my Gallerie Lafayette experience, I did on a few occasions ask if it was OK for me to select. I went up to one of the other floors at Gallerie and was looking at "ladies unmentionables" and they had panties laid out on a table. I went to the sales person and asked if it was OK to look through them and select and she said yes that would be fine. I was careful not to trash everything. I don't think most of us Americans actually intend to tick anyone off, but again different cultures and customs. Once I learned the ropes I behaved differently and I probably have other things to learn. That's part of the joy of travel.
Jun 4th, 2005, 09:18 AM
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Wow -- I had no idea the markets were so strict in Europe! I've only ever shopped for produce in the USA and even in our local farmer's markets I've never run across anyone who would lambast me for checking out the produce. How else am I going to know if it's as ripe as I want it to be??
By the way, we're going to Scotland this summer and will actually be doing some marketing while we're there this time (renting flat in Edinburgh for week at end of trip). Do they have that rule in the supermarkets there too, about not checking out the produce? If so, do I just ask the produce employees then to pick out items based on when we're eating them? I would hate to have to take the walk of shame to the exit door (LOL!).
By the way, we're going to Scotland this summer and will actually be doing some marketing while we're there this time (renting flat in Edinburgh for week at end of trip). Do they have that rule in the supermarkets there too, about not checking out the produce? If so, do I just ask the produce employees then to pick out items based on when we're eating them? I would hate to have to take the walk of shame to the exit door (LOL!).
