Talk about culture shock...
Long ago on my first visit to Venice, I was a student backpacking in Europe on a tight budget. I couldn't afford a meal in a restaurant, so I headed to an outdoor produce market. It was crowded with locals and tourists. I thought I was doing a busy vendor a favor when I started helping myself like I would back home, but was I wrong!
As soon as I picked up my first piece of fruit to inspect it, my hand was slapped (well, gently) by a lady who seemed like a vendor's wife. Here in Italy, you don't touch the produce; that's rude. I should have waited for my turn to tell them what I wanted.
Market Day, Venice, Italy II
Click here for a larger image of this painting.
Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Private Collection
