<h2>SHOPPING</h2>
Supermarket carts require a 1 Euro coin to release them from the “garage”. Return the shopping cart and insert the key from the previous cart to get your coin back. Stores are closed on Sundays, except during summer, when big supermarkets are open 7 days a week. Some small shops are closed also on Monday or Wednesday mornings, as the same staff works half-a-day on Saturdays. Note the opening hours of the grocery store or supermarket closest to your villa.
<h4>You Weigh Fruit and Vegetables</h4>
You must weight and get the price of loose Fruit and Vegetables before you cue at the check-out counter. At the fruit and vegetable bins you find that each item has a number (<em>Taso</em>) and the scales have this number and a picture of the product. You place the bagged item on a scale, make your selection, and punch the corresponding number. A coded price sticker pops out with a bar code, and you fix it on the bag. You might notice that these bags are now green, biodegradable and flimsy. Remember to put on the plastic gloves when handling loose fruit and vegetables. You will find gloves and bag dispensers, and the scales, all around. If you are in doubt, watch what the Italian shoppers do, and you'll learn this system quickly.
<h4>Delicatessen number system</h4>
Deli counters have a number system for service, pick up your ticket from the dispenser roll. Since you need to speak with the deli attendant, might be useful to have pen and paper handy so you can write the amount of stuffed olives you want. Pointing helps, and finally, you can show with your hands and fingers the size of Gorgonzola cheese you want them to cut. Some deli items are priced per 100 grams = <em>etto</em>, so be careful if the price seems very low<em>.</em> Especially steaks, fish and seafood are often marked with this 1/10th of a kilo price. You see this also in restaurants, so beware, you might be really splurging!
<h4>Check-out and self service</h4>
Bring a shopping bag or buy a durable large carry bag at the chcek-out counterm they cost very little. Single use plastic bags are only at the Plastic carrying bags are charged for at the supermarket check-out. If the bags are behind the counter, ask for <em>una busta</em> = one bag, <em>due buste, grazie</em> = two bags, thanks. The self-service automated check-outs have arrived in Italy, too. They are most convenient if you buy only a few items, and also, you can choose the machine to use English!
<h4>Wine and Liquor Stores</h4>
Wine shops populate Tuscan towns prominently, and you can usually taste before you buy. Many wine shops offer some food as well, making these a favorite lunch place for tourists. We don't have Liquor Stores in Italy, you can buy the ingredients of the negroni cocktail (gin, Campari and Martini Rosso) at any sizable supermarket.

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