Here is a little advice on how to deal with the annoying flower and junk peddlers of Italy. Don't deal with them at all. Ignore them, don't look at them, don't ever buy anything from them.
If you sense the annoyance in my tone it's because as I'm sitting down at a nice table outside enjoying my Florentine Steak or a cocktail one of the junk peddlers comes up and jams a rose in my face. It really gets under my skin.
You'll find them selling whatever it is they get their hands on. They'll walk right into a restaurant or cafe and shove whatever they have in your face. Sponges, flowers, rocks that make weird noises, junk toys, sunglasses, plastic motorized cars, umbrellas, bull-horns (no joke), cowboy hats, gloves...you name it.
The best way to handle them is to say no and keep walking. If you're at a restaurant just say no and wave them off with a polite annoyance. If they don't stop then get a little more forceful. Be nice, but don't buy anything. If you have to just call over the server and let them deal with it.
Here are some of the scams they'll run. "A free flower for the beautiful girl." Nothing is free and once you have it in your hands they'll relentlessly hound you for payment. Once in a while you'll see a huge tour group and everyone in the group has a flower! This only encourages them.
If you haven't experienced them yet...you will. Don't buy anything!
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