European Street Vendors

By Ken Parks, Examiner.com writer/photographer

When you dress like an American tourist, when you have an American hair style, and when you open the American mouth, they know there's a good possibility of ripping you off. They are the street vendors of Europe. And they can identify an American tourist in no time.

I had been warned by my Italian friend, Dino, “When you are in the tourist areas of Florence be careful of the street vendors. Be very careful.”

Dino was right. Most anywhere I had gone on my own to visit Florence, Rome, and other areas that have their tourist traps, the street vendors were plentiful. And with my looks of “stupido americano,” I appeared to be good prey.

In Rome, there were the two small restaurants that tried to overcharge for the meal and mostly the Coca Cola, the equivalent of $8.00 for a can of coke. Each time, I challenged the bill and was told, “Oh scusi, scusi!”

In the Piazza della Republica, a tourist area of Florence, There are some permanent booths for street vendors. I approached one during midday and did not want to spend the time and tourist cost in a restaurant. I approached the vendor, “Perfavore, chips e Coca-Cola.” He reached to the left for a can of coke and a small container of Pringles.

“Grazie” and gave him twenty Euros. I always state the amount of money handed over, “Venti.”

He gave the change back, and I immediately realized I had been ripped off by a factor of five Euros. Scusi me. Quanta costano per chips e Coca Cola? Meaning – Excuse me. How much does it cost for chips and Coca-Cola?

He gazed at me for a moment and said, “Heh?

I repeated the question, and he gave me this puzzled look as if he didn't understand.

Frustrated, I questioned him, “Capisto Carabinieri? Okay?” Meaning - Do you understand military police? Okay?

The overly anxious street vendor quickly understood , jumped out of the back side of his booth, ran to the front side and eagerly gave me the five Euros. Obviously he was afraid I would report him to the Italian military police.

In Italy, it is very common for the polizia or Carabinieri to believe a tourists claims over that of a street vendor and would make an arrest, causing the street vendor to lose his license to ever sell again. It's always a good practice to know enough of the language and the culture to be at peace, especially dealing with the street vendors.