Italian Supermarkets 101

When visiting Italy, a visit to the local supermarket is not only a way to save money, but it also offers a window into Italian life that you wouldn’t normally get while Rome sightseeing, eating out in restaurants, etc. But before you tackle the job of buying groceries in Italy, here are a few pointers to prepare you for what to expect and prevent you from any potential embarrassment.

Italian supermarkets come in all shapes and sizes, from the “one aisle wonder” to mega supermarkets that would make your local Big Y look like a minimart. While there is some variation between them, the following five tips will apply to most of them.

Get your carriage. Slip a 50 cent or 1 Euro coin into the little round hole, and slide the gadget over until it clicks and the chain is released. Now here’s where the fun begins. Moving right along, we head towards the produce department.

Gloves. You will need to put on the plastic gloves which are supplied for you by the store before you can touch the food. Put your items into a plastic bag, and have a look at the code that is printed on the card that corresponds to your food item. Remember that number as you head over to the scale.

Weigh it. You must remember to do this, as it is very embarrassing to get all the way to the checkout and have the clerk tell you that you screwed up and send you back to do it while everyone waits and glares at you. Put your goods on the balance, and hit the code (if you are lucky the scale will also have pictures, when this happens I experience a sensation of unspeakable joy). A little sticker will emerge, and you will then stick it onto your bag. At that point you can ditch the gloves, or save them in the event that you ride the bus and have to grab onto any grimy poles while Rome sightseeing.

The rest of the supermarket is normally well divided with appropriate sections for dairy, meat, pork (now with signs attesting to its origin since the emergence of swine flu in Italy and worldwide), canned goods, frozen foods, beverages, etc.

Pay. Make a concerted effort to pay in exact change or as close to it as you can get. Hell hath no fury like a cashier who is handed a fifty Euro note to pay for just a few items. There is a deep Italian appreciation for small change and your efforts here will be greatly appreciated.

Bag. The cashiers do not bag your items for you, you will need to do it yourself. Begin doing so while she rings items in, this way you will not hold up the line. Bags are not free, generally they will cost about 5 cents each so be prepared to buy them or bring your own!

Remember to return your carriage (you will get your money back), and you are off to cook up a fabulous Italian meal with the goodies you just paid for!

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