One of my aspirations for our trip to Italy was to obtain an Italian leather belt. Yesterday, I succeeded.
It wasn't just a belt I was after. I could get one of those in the states. What I wanted was the experience of buying some Italian crafted leather from a real leather shop, or pelletteria. Walking back from the Pantheon in Rome, we came across the perfect place. A little shop called "Volterra", run by a genteel man who seemed to suffer his customers rather than welcome them. He steered us toward the 10 euro belts hanging toward the front of the store. I think it was because I was wearing my shirt untucked. At least it had a collar.
I didn't care for the look of the cheaper belts so I proceeded to the back to look at the better ones. He admonished us that the belts there could cost up to 40 euro. I was more bemused than offended by his presumption. I found a (black) belt that suited my tastes for 23 euro. There was a brown one with the same design so I asked him if there was a discount for buying two together. He smiled and offered me the courtesy of a token discount of 5 euro if I purchased both together. To be honest, I would have been disappointed if he had offered me some kind of "deal". In Rome, you are assaulted by cries of "One euro! One euro!" from the street vendors as you travel through the tourist areas. This gentleman was not a salesman. I imagine he was a craftsman with dignity who offered quality products and deserved fair compensation for his skill. I decided to buy a new wallet while I was there.
He adjusted the belts for my waist and accepted payment. I reached out to shake his hand. He hesitated for the briefest of moments then accepted the gesture. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience.
It wasn't just a belt I was after. I could get one of those in the states. What I wanted was the experience of buying some Italian crafted leather from a real leather shop, or pelletteria. Walking back from the Pantheon in Rome, we came across the perfect place. A little shop called "Volterra", run by a genteel man who seemed to suffer his customers rather than welcome them. He steered us toward the 10 euro belts hanging toward the front of the store. I think it was because I was wearing my shirt untucked. At least it had a collar.
I didn't care for the look of the cheaper belts so I proceeded to the back to look at the better ones. He admonished us that the belts there could cost up to 40 euro. I was more bemused than offended by his presumption. I found a (black) belt that suited my tastes for 23 euro. There was a brown one with the same design so I asked him if there was a discount for buying two together. He smiled and offered me the courtesy of a token discount of 5 euro if I purchased both together. To be honest, I would have been disappointed if he had offered me some kind of "deal". In Rome, you are assaulted by cries of "One euro! One euro!" from the street vendors as you travel through the tourist areas. This gentleman was not a salesman. I imagine he was a craftsman with dignity who offered quality products and deserved fair compensation for his skill. I decided to buy a new wallet while I was there.
He adjusted the belts for my waist and accepted payment. I reached out to shake his hand. He hesitated for the briefest of moments then accepted the gesture. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience.