touching fruit/vegetables in the market
Jun 5th, 2005, 04:34 AM
#42
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@Patrick: just to make things more complicated, the Dutch grocery store "Albert Hein" has a special system where regular customers can get a handscanner. Using that scanner, they can scan everythin before getting to the counter, which usually saves a lot of time. However, that also means the fruit and vegetables need to be weighed, tagged and scanned by those customers. If you don't have a scanner, there's no way to get a printed tag until you are at the checkout counter. It sure creates some hilareous situations sometime 
Jun 5th, 2005, 05:42 AM
#43
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The supermarkets in Scotland will probably have scales next to the fruit and veg, but they will only be there for you to check how much you have in your bag.
The usual thing is for the stuff to be weighed and paid for at the checkout,
Certain things like fish or pastries will be behind a counter. The assistant will weigh them and attach a barcode.
I think that it's a good rule in Italy, not to touch anything, even things like newspapers unless the assistant actually invites you to do so.
Often, in a shop, the assistant will actually pick up a handful of items, put them on the counter or a table and let you sort through them.
The usual thing is for the stuff to be weighed and paid for at the checkout,
Certain things like fish or pastries will be behind a counter. The assistant will weigh them and attach a barcode.
I think that it's a good rule in Italy, not to touch anything, even things like newspapers unless the assistant actually invites you to do so.
Often, in a shop, the assistant will actually pick up a handful of items, put them on the counter or a table and let you sort through them.
Jun 5th, 2005, 08:12 AM
#44
Even self-service can be a tricky thing!! In a grocery store in Venice I tried to do what PatrickLondon wisely suggested (watch what others do and follow along)...
but still I managed to mess up the machine (grapes into bag OK, weigh grapes on scale by using photo button shown OK, pull plastic bag thru to get tape sealed top OOPS) and got a few frowns from the local ladies.
but still I managed to mess up the machine (grapes into bag OK, weigh grapes on scale by using photo button shown OK, pull plastic bag thru to get tape sealed top OOPS) and got a few frowns from the local ladies.
Jun 5th, 2005, 08:13 AM
#45
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Practices on this vegetable touching issue vary. In Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, the market in town where we buy produce and canned goods is self-service. The boxes with such items as plums, apples, and other items re outside the door, almost in the sidewalk.
The procedure is for the customer to put the produce items into separate bags, weigh the bags, enter a code number on the keypady, and obtain a price sticker which is place on the bag.
Eating the fruit, or sticking something in your pocket simply is not done.
The market closes for lunch, and everything is moved inside. I can always tell the town is reopening because I can see the produce back out in front of the marekt.
In the bakery, meat market, and cheese shop, everything is in a showcase and the customers have no access.
But produce is open to view and touching.
The procedure is for the customer to put the produce items into separate bags, weigh the bags, enter a code number on the keypady, and obtain a price sticker which is place on the bag.
Eating the fruit, or sticking something in your pocket simply is not done.
The market closes for lunch, and everything is moved inside. I can always tell the town is reopening because I can see the produce back out in front of the marekt.
In the bakery, meat market, and cheese shop, everything is in a showcase and the customers have no access.
But produce is open to view and touching.
Jun 5th, 2005, 09:15 AM
#46
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The supermarkets in Scotland sound like the ones I'm used to in my neck of the States so that will be a relief. Still, I think I will take Patrick's advice and just watch to see what others do before putting my hands on the produce. Thanks!
Jun 5th, 2005, 02:05 PM
#47
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I am currently reading "French Women Don't get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano.
I have been keeping up with this post for a couple of days now, so when I read this quote from the book I thought you all might be interested.
Mrs. Guiliano writes:
"Faire son marche (to do one's food shopping) remains a vital Frnch institution, here to stay despite the proliferation of hypermarkets. It is a vital social occasion. We see our neighbors, compare notes, and, crucially, get to know the producers, the farmers who come to recognize you and whom you learn to trust.
It is critically important, because in France one does not dare squeeze the merchandise; rather the trusted puveyors pick among the produce for you according to when you plan to eat something, how, and with what. This discussion can go on a bit, and the next in line waits quite patiently, respecting the seriousness of her neighbor's business."
She goes on to give an example of a time when she was choosing a melon, and the merchant asked her when it was to be eaten to which she replied Saturday. The merchant debated between two or three melons and gave her the one that she felt would be ripe by Saturday.
I have been keeping up with this post for a couple of days now, so when I read this quote from the book I thought you all might be interested.
Mrs. Guiliano writes:
"Faire son marche (to do one's food shopping) remains a vital Frnch institution, here to stay despite the proliferation of hypermarkets. It is a vital social occasion. We see our neighbors, compare notes, and, crucially, get to know the producers, the farmers who come to recognize you and whom you learn to trust.
It is critically important, because in France one does not dare squeeze the merchandise; rather the trusted puveyors pick among the produce for you according to when you plan to eat something, how, and with what. This discussion can go on a bit, and the next in line waits quite patiently, respecting the seriousness of her neighbor's business."
She goes on to give an example of a time when she was choosing a melon, and the merchant asked her when it was to be eaten to which she replied Saturday. The merchant debated between two or three melons and gave her the one that she felt would be ripe by Saturday.
Jun 5th, 2005, 02:20 PM
#48
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Sometimes people are just awkward. I had a woman in a Roman chocolates shop refusing to serve me for AGES giving me filthy looks and talking to me in Italian obviously saying 'Look you stupid English person i don't understand what you want' even though I was clearly pointing right at an item (through the counter glass) and holding up one finger and saying 'one please' in my best tourist Italian. Bitch. Eventually someone in the queue 'translated' for me and they said to me (in english) that the server just didn't like tourists. Not that I expect everyone to speak English - but really it was perfectly clear what I wanted and I was being as polite as possible.
Jun 5th, 2005, 02:25 PM
#49
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nona, that is what I usually fear will happen to me but this past trip to Paris, on rue Cler, I had such a nice time shopping with my pathetic French!
I did not touch anything
but did point a lot and the shopkeepers seemed to get a kick out of helping me and probably hearing their language mangled so well. 
I did not touch anything
but did point a lot and the shopkeepers seemed to get a kick out of helping me and probably hearing their language mangled so well.
Jun 5th, 2005, 02:43 PM
#50
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Very interesting thread, I remember seeing signs in Venice on the produce bins in the street, saying "do not touch fruit", I thought it was rather humorous. Frankly, I realize it's a custom, but I think all of those shopkeepers could use a little bit of Xanas....And like SeaUrchin, I wouldn't take scolding from an American shopkeeper and I wouldn't take it from anyone in another country as well.
I'm wondering about the fruit thing. Is it because it's also not the custome to wash your fruit before eating it? I'm puzzled, does anyone know why they are like this?
But I promise you all that if a vendor slaps my hand in Paris this fall, I'll have an interesting story to report.
I'm wondering about the fruit thing. Is it because it's also not the custome to wash your fruit before eating it? I'm puzzled, does anyone know why they are like this?
But I promise you all that if a vendor slaps my hand in Paris this fall, I'll have an interesting story to report.
Jun 5th, 2005, 06:55 PM
#53
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I guess the bruising would make sense, but it would be so hard to keep my hands off the fruit so that I could feel for myself so that the fruit is how it should be.
Not related to fruit, but I've heard that most European countries also do not have the same return policy that most stores in the U.S. has, is it true? that would be such an adjustment.
Not related to fruit, but I've heard that most European countries also do not have the same return policy that most stores in the U.S. has, is it true? that would be such an adjustment.
Jun 5th, 2005, 07:37 PM
#54
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lyb, regarding return policies in Europe, I can't speak to the general rule, but I can share an experience I had in Florence in 2002.
Under the mistaken impression that I needed a converter to plug in my laptop in Europe, I visited a small electronics store in Florence and described what I needed. The man behind the counter produced a packaged device, which I purchased reluctantly for 23 euros. (Idiot!)
While still at the counter, I read the back of the pacage, where instructions clearly stated the converter should not be used on computers. The man who had just sold it to me refused to refund my money.
So, buyer beware in Italy, but I can't imagine having the same experience in Germany, for example, where people in general seemed to me to be very honest and fair, so I doubt the "no returns" policy I encountered in Florence could be said to be typical of all of Europe.
Under the mistaken impression that I needed a converter to plug in my laptop in Europe, I visited a small electronics store in Florence and described what I needed. The man behind the counter produced a packaged device, which I purchased reluctantly for 23 euros. (Idiot!)
While still at the counter, I read the back of the pacage, where instructions clearly stated the converter should not be used on computers. The man who had just sold it to me refused to refund my money.
So, buyer beware in Italy, but I can't imagine having the same experience in Germany, for example, where people in general seemed to me to be very honest and fair, so I doubt the "no returns" policy I encountered in Florence could be said to be typical of all of Europe.
Jun 5th, 2005, 07:40 PM
#55
<so that I could feel for myself so that the fruit is how it should be>
The vendor believes that is his/her job
It's simply a cultural difference, one I can understand, and one I think as a visitor it is easy enough to respect, especially since we all know this ahead of time (well anyone on this thread does anyway!).
The vendor believes that is his/her job
It's simply a cultural difference, one I can understand, and one I think as a visitor it is easy enough to respect, especially since we all know this ahead of time (well anyone on this thread does anyway!).
Jun 5th, 2005, 08:51 PM
#58
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Re. Paris, it depends. Thinking "Oh, oh, mustn't touch" will keep you out of trouble, but it may not always get you fruit and vegetables. Many produce shops are self-service; outdoor market stands usually aren't. Watch what the other customers are doing. Or look for the telltale bundle of small plastic bags within your reach. In that case you can touch. Just don't juggle.
Jun 6th, 2005, 02:08 AM
#60
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Here in the Nordic countries (Finland&Scandinavia) one is supposed to self serve pretty much everything. You definitely choose the produce and most other stuff yourself. Few notable exceptions come into mind: jewelry, watches, eyeglasses anything expensive that could be a target to thieves.
Iīve travelled extensively in Europe and US and I havenīt had any incidents coused by touching merchandise. Maybe itīs because one sort of does feel when youīre not supposed to help yourself. That happens mostly in Italy, Spain and some other places.
Iīve travelled extensively in Europe and US and I havenīt had any incidents coused by touching merchandise. Maybe itīs because one sort of does feel when youīre not supposed to help yourself. That happens mostly in Italy, Spain and some other places.
