Italian for Kids: Grocery Shopping (video)

What is like doing grocery shopping in Italy? How do you call the various food items in Italian? My daughter Silvia Tosolini, 9 invites you to a tour of an Italian supermercato.
Let her know what you think by leaving a comment on YouTube or writing her a note to silvia@tosolini.com.

- Can't see the video? Watch it from YouTube
- iPod version (MP4 - 20Mb)
- More Italian videos by Silvia

The cost of buying American in Italy

The other day I went to a drugstore to buy a hand wash. While I was browsing through the products, I noticed that they were selling a hand wash by Aveeno, our popular American brand.
My surprise quickly turned into shock when I checked the price: € 8.79, which is $13.11! I can understand the quality of the product and (probably) the import fees, but is this enough to justify why this item is 6 times more expensive than other brands?
Obviously, I opted for another product, as you can see from the empty spot on the right.

The learning here is that popular US brands might carry a much higher sticker price in Italy than what we are used to see at home. Coupled with the fact that the Euro is particularly strong these days, don't assume that the same inexpensive item found at your neighbor's market might be as convenient when you visit an Italian store.

What's that small tray near the cash register?

Many people are surprised when, after paying for coffee or whatever you had at a bar, the cashier puts the change on a small plate next to the register instead of giving it directly to you.
The plate creates a kind of "transition area" for the money going from you to the cashier and, as in the case of your change, from the cashier back to you. This "plate rule" actually applies to most stores.
Thanks to our reader Caroline in California for suggesting this new blog topic. Got questions about the Italian culture? Write us and preview a chapter of our eBook for free.

Plastic or... plastic?

I personally love grocery shopping in Italy. The variety and quality of the food available is simply excellent. If you are used to shop in US stores, you may notice a few differences:
- Carts are free to use but you often need a Euro coin deposit to unlock the cart from the rack
- At the cash register, you'll have only one option: plastic bags
- Bags are subject to an 'environmental' fee of about Euro 0.05
- No one will help you place your groceries in the bags

Honey, I couldn't resist buying those shoes

Fashionable garments are available almost everywhere in Italy. These nice pair of patriotic Dolce Gabbana shoes come with a price tag of Euro 165 (or $194). I bet your friends will be able to tell where you went on vacation...