Okay, I have an infatuation with the rose sellers of Rome.
Usually found in Piazza di Spagna or Piazza del Popolo they have a unique and quite often successful sales technique.
Firstly with roses in hand they will select a couple and target the female.
With rose extended they will offer a rose to her.
If she initially decides not to take it they will then say "a gift for you"
They will continue this tack of giving it to her as a gift.
Sometimes it works, sometimes not.
If she does take the rose the seller will stand back a little observing them.
After a short while he will approach the male and utter some compliment like "your lady is beautiful or you are a lucky man"
The rose seller will then ask the man for some money in good faith..."whatever you like to give".
Usually the male will give something (being in a state of shock) or say no.
The seller will keep at him until he either gets some money or the rose is given back
Master salesmen.....but beware....do not accept gifts from strangers
awww!! i just got back from there, I stayed at the intercontinental hotel right by the spanish steps. i got some pics of them tooo. My dad yelled at them for shoving a rose in my moms face and the guy looked like he was going to cry and called my dad a gorilla. lol
ReplyDeleteYes Kristen, They are quite intrusive, in your face. I know the Italian police sometimes crack down on them but it seems half hearted. I think it lessens peoples holiday to have a rose shoved in your face like that. Otherwise Roma is such an amazing city
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