Vietato Toccare!

P1020872
Originally uploaded by catrberry

Don't touch!
The Italians have a much smaller idea of "personal space." Even walking on a two foot sidewalk, an Italian does not think it strange to brush up right against you. They will sit right next to you, even if all the other seats are open. They love to use their hands and to touch you with them while talking to you (If you know me well, you know that I love to do the same...if I'm passionate about something that I want to tell you, my hand will be holding your arm. It doesn't matter who you are.).
So they can touch you all they want in conversation, but never EVER touch their merchandise without permission. Americans, as our individualistic culture goes, like to go into stores and pick up whatever they want, throw things around in the sale section, leave without saying a word to the clerk. In Italy, you best greet the clerk and then ask him to pick up whatever you desire to try on or look at.
A rude shoe saleswoman rolled her eyes and was very curt with an American friend who did not know of this cultural difference. Another friend buying a hat picked one up, and the clerk immediately slammed it down and picked it up herself. Italians, please be more understanding! We don't know any different.
The thing that cracked me up most about this "no touching" rule is picking out produce at the grocery store. Normally, the grocer picks up the fruit for you. At the supermercato we went to, there was a "self-service" section. The instructions: Do not touch the fruit without a glove. Put on a glove, put the produce in a bag, plug in the number, place on a scale, print off the sticker, stick on bag, clerk scans it when checking out.
The produce is extraordinarily cheap, though! My diet almost completely consists of tomato, mozzarella, and bread. Maybe I should add some veggies or something...for right now I'm not complaining!
Activities for today: Hiked to Piazza San Michaelangelo and then onto Basilica di San Miniato (gorgeous hilltop views of all of Florence!), pizza lunch, going to an outdoor specialty market, skyping with Mom and Dad, grocery shopping, guided tour of Florence, free dinner with ISA (coke, pizza, and delicious tiramisu!), and home to chill. I don't think I've ever walked as much as I have in the past week - not even a week - have I really been gone less than a week?! I know all my keys to get into my apartment. For the most part, I know how to get around my city. I know the shops, I know the pizzerias. I know my roommates and other dear ISA friends. I'm happy, I'm settled, I'm oh-so-enamored by Florence.
I love ISA. Why? Reason number 274: They gave us an all-encompassing Museum pass for over fifty or so museums and churches of Florence. Can you say Uffizi (housing some of the world's best Renaissance art), L'Accademia (where Michaelangelo's David statue is), Pitti Palace, the Medici Chapel (designed by Michaelangelo, tombs of the Medici family)?...the list continues.
Tomorrow we have no plans. The first day so far! Sabbath rest, here I come! So thankful. I'm going to read, cook, and put my feet up.
Well, we're having a roomie showing of Anjelah Johnson BonQuiQui and Nail Salon on youtube. Gots to go!
Goodnight!