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Contents1 Packaging2 Brands3 Vending4 Merchants5 Garbage6 Lifestyle7 Beverages8 Money

1

PackagingPackaging in Italy is not too different from that in the US. It seems that there is an emphasis on minimizing the waste from packaging, However most consumer products seem not to follow that trend. There are still individually wrapped candies, and the eggs actually use more packaging there is a plastic carton for six eggs and a full color cardboard sleeve.

2

BrandsMany brands that are well known in the US are also in Italy. Many times the brand is remade and re-purposed for the Italian culture. For example Kraft milk chocolate has a completely different brand name but it is the same product. Other brands like the Nesquick rabbit and Hello Kitty are portrayed in stylish clothing that fit into the Italian culture.

3

VendingCommon In Italian cities are stores made up of vending machines. In these stores are beverages and food. The most interesting part to these stores are the automatic pasta machines. Insert the money, choose your pasta, and it heats up your pasta. Included is a fork and napkin set attached with a sticker boasting “Made in Italy”.

4

MerchantsAt the market is an variety of products and goods. Unique merchants selling food. Collectors of old books and trinkets, shirts and socks, and watches.

5

GarbageGarbage in Italy is put in bins by side of the street. The large blue bells are for recycling, most for glass bottles, which are prevalent.The convenient placement of these garbage bins did not prevent littering.

6

LifestyleThere is a certain laid back feel to the Italian lifestyle. Lunch is large, dinner is late, and walking is the main mode of transportation. Alcohol can be found most anywhere, even on the streets. People socialize in the plazas, having gelato or a beer setting on the church steps. Naps are around four to five and during that time most stores are closed.

7

BeveragesBeverages in Italy are not too much different. Coca-Cola cans are slimmer and taller, and “Lite” is their “Diet”. Alcohol is more prevalent in the fact that it can be found even in the movie theaters. Liqueur stores are common down the streets of Florence and it is not uncommon to see beer on the streets.

8

MoneyMoney in small denominations is in coins. Since Italy now uses the Euro which has one Euro and two Euro coins. One Interesting note is the Euro system has two Euro cent coins, and has 20 cent coins instead of 25 cent coins.

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Notes on Italian Consumerism

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