ught back the exact right size.

The gentleman then brought me 5 different jackets to try on but none of them worked. However, all was not lost since after trying on the jackets I fell in love with "my" Armani shirt. Yep, I ended up buying it even though it was way overpriced.

A few steps away dow

During a recent vacation to Italy I've been watching, listening and observing how the Italians persuade, influence and make the sale. It's fascinating and extremely profitable to study.

First, as tourists we are influenced by recommendations by someone we perceive as an authority. For starters there's our guide book. All the major guide books will give you sleeping recommendations and dining spots. My wife, Missy, and I brought along 2 books. The Rick Steves guide to Italy and also Frommers. So if Rick or Frommers says go to this restaurant we're more likely to go there. Or by asking the front desk or concierge for a recommendation we'll take it.

Next, let's talk about shopping. Many of the sales people I've encountered who work retail have a very understated yet effective way of making the sale. In Florence, we went to many of the high-end Italian shops. Inside the Armani store I was looking for a new sport coat. I found a wonderful jacket that I wanted to try on. The problem was I was wearing a polo shirt and that's a bit thicker than a regular dress shirt so the jacket wouldn't fit right. So my sales guy gave me a new Armani shirt to try on underneath my jacket. He quickly took a look at me and brought back the exact right size.

The gentleman then brought me 5 different jackets to try on but none of them worked. However, all was not lost since after trying on the jackets I fell in love with "my" Armani shirt. Yep, I ended up buying it even though it was way overpriced.

A few steps away down

our guide book. All the major guide books will give you sleeping recommendations and dining spots. My wife, Missy, and I brought along 2 books. The Rick Steves guide to Italy and also Frommers. So if Rick or Frommers says go to this restaurant we're more likely to go there. Or by asking the front desk or concierge for a recommendation we'll take it.

Next, let's talk about shopping. Many of the sales people I've encountered who work retail have a very understated yet effective way of making the sale. In Florence, we went to many of the high-end Italian shops. Inside the Armani store I was looking for a new sport coat. I found a wonderful jacket that I wanted to try on. The problem was I was wearing a polo shirt and that's a bit thicker than a regular dress shirt so the jacket wouldn't fit right. So my sales guy gave me a new Armani shirt to try on underneath my jacket. He quickly took a look at me and brought back the exact right size.

The gentleman then brought me 5 different jackets to try on but none of them worked. However, all was not lost since after trying on the jackets I fell in love with "my" Armani shirt. Yep, I ended up buying it even though it was way overpriced.

A few steps away dow

oncierge for a recommendation we'll take it.

Next, let's talk about shopping. Many of the sales people I've encountered who work retail have a very understated yet effective way of making the sale. In Florence, we went to many of the high-end Italian shops. Inside the Armani store I was looking for a new sport coat. I found a wonderful jacket that I wanted to try on. The problem was I was wearing a polo shirt and that's a bit thicker than a regular dress shirt so the jacket wouldn't fit right. So my sales guy gave me a new Armani shirt to try on underneath my jacket. He quickly took a look at me and brought back the exact right size.

The gentleman then brought me 5 different jackets to try on but none of them worked. However, all was not lost since after trying on the jackets I fell in love with "my" Armani shirt. Yep, I ended up buying it even though it was way overpriced.

A few steps away dow

ew sport coat. I found a wonderful jacket that I wanted to try on. The problem was I was wearing a polo shirt and that's a bit thicker than a regular dress shirt so the jacket wouldn't fit right. So my sales guy gave me a new Armani shirt to try on underneath my jacket. He quickly took a look at me and brought back the exact right size.

The gentleman then brought me 5 different jackets to try on but none of them worked. However, all was not lost since after trying on the jackets I fell in love with "my" Armani shirt. Yep, I ended up buying it even though it was way overpriced.

A few steps away dow

ught back the exact right size.

The gentleman then brought me 5 different jackets to try on but none of them worked. However, all was not lost since after trying on the jackets I fell in love with "my" Armani shirt. Yep, I ended up buying it even though it was way overpriced.

A few steps away down Florence's "5th Ave" we walked into Gucci. There were lots of items in there with the famous "G"'s that we don't have over here in the States. I immediately sprinted over to a burgundy Gucci motorcycle helmet and stuck it on my head to continue the tradition of being an obnoxious American. :)

After making a fool out of myself, I wandered up into Men's shoes and found a pair of loafers I loved I asked the girl working in shoes to help me find my size and she brought them out for me to try on. Then she did something I've never seen before at retail...she kept absolutely silent. Missy and I talked about the shoes and if I should get them or not. We discussed the comfort of them and if they were slipping or not. But during all of this - the sales girl remained quiet.

From negotiations we know silence is the most powerful tactic any side can take. Usually the sales rep is telling me how great the shoes look, how carefully they are constructed, etc. But here absolutely nothing but silence. I'm sure you can guess - I bought the shoes.

Now if you think I'm the only one who was shopping - think again. Missy did her fair share in Venice.

Since it got a bit colder, Missy went looking for warmer clo