MARKETING IN FLORENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 62, 13 November 1880, Page 2 (Supplement)

MARKETING IN FLORENCE.

The Florentines are an economical race, aua oan live on less, probably, than any other people in the world. They are content with a very little^— not requiring even what we shonld call the necessaries of life. Their diet is principally dry bread (butter they rarely eat), coffee, macaroni, "lesso" (boiled besf), and "minestra" the weakeat of wißhywashy soups. The last two are daily inevitable ; no matter what else they eat, " leeso" and "miuestra" they magi have, or they would consider themselves defrauded of their rights. It is easy to, live in Florence economically, for marketing is arranged to I Bait parses of any size, and one oan bay any part of a chicken, even to a slice of the breast alone. In this way there is no waste, and only enough for one day's consumption is ever provided. It is really amusing to see the Florentines bargain. They would not consider a thing properly boaght under a half -wi-hout'a talking ancLargument. Baying and selling is reduced to a Bystem and a regular routine, whioh, if neglected, would make them unhappy, and consider themselves as oheated beings. Their greatest triumph is the purchase of an article at the lowest rate possible, and this is a souroe of boasting for the next twenty-four hours. They will baggie over two or three centimes until a looker-on could cry aloud in desperation at their absurdity. They geetlonlate, both talk at the same time, and lash themselves into such a state of exoitement that one would think they were oonoooting no less a plan than to dethrone the King. Yon Biilow tells a story apropos of Italian trading, very .amusing, and soarcely exaggerated. A. man observing in a shopwindow an article marked 12 francs, thus reasoned to himself — " The price is marked 12 franos. That means 10. The shopman will offer ik for 9. It is not worth mow than 6. I don't want to give more than 4 ; so I'll offer him 2 1" This suggests the principles upon whioh trade is carried on. I venture to give an illustration of the process, in the words that I have heard so often that they glide of! the end of my,pen without an instant's hesitation : Bayer. "What's theprioeof that hat?" Seller. "Twelve. franos, sir." 8. (la a tone of astonishment) " Twelve franos I Heavens ! What a price I" S. << It's not dear, sir. You couldn't get it as cheap anywhere else in town." B. " Nonsense ! What's the lowest prioe you'll take for it?" S. "Well, as it's you, I'll give it for eleven." B. " Per Baooo. Why, it's not wotth half that." S. " Well, what will you give for it?" B. "I won't give a centime over six francs." (This very decidedly, as if lie really meant it.) S. " Six francs ! Why, it cost me more than that !" B. "Go along !" (Tries on the hat, which is very becoming, and continues, in a coaxing tone.) " Come, now, let's finish this affair. Name your price." S. "Well; well, take it for ten." Seizing it aa though, everything was settled, and hurriedly wrapping it up.) B. " Stop, stop ! I'm not going to give that price.' ' Makes for the door, as though he also thought the affair ended.) * S. " Stop; sir! Tell me now, frankly, the highest price you will give." (This in on encouraging tone, with head on one side, and a sweet smile.) B- " Come, I'll give you seven." Makes show of palling out pocket-book* with the air of having made a handsome offer jbhat would be snapped at.) S. (Now beginning to get excited.) " This is more than I can bear 1 We will talk no more about it !" B. (Seeing too much decision in adversary's manner) : " Well, come now 1 How muoh will you take ? I'll give yon eight — there I". S. " No, no, no 1 I won't saotifioe the hat!" This is the right moment for the buyer to rush from the shop, sometimes even getting to the corner of the street, when the exbited seller will dash after him, imploring him to come back and take it for nine and a half. Then work begins in earnest, and they rise and fall alternately by half-francs, and sometimes fight over the last two sous, when the bargain is completed amidst a torrent ' of words and wild gestures and glaring of eyes, whioh, to the' uninitiated, would look very like a bloodthirsty combat. The eotoqneror , (which is the conqueror?) goes off with his hat, as proud as the victor of a score of battles, to show his hard-won treasure to admiring friendß, who tarn it over, and peer at it, and examine it critically, praising him for his shrewdness in making such a bargain. This hat will be a source of happiness to him for two or three days, making him a hero to a circle of admirers, to Whom he will go over the same old story twenty times, relating his powers at bargain-making with as muoh interest and energy the twentieth time as the first.—Sm&ner's Monthly.