I've only been to Italy once about 15 years back.
At that time (maybe it still is) inflation was so high, the small demoninations of coins were virtually worthless. So the shopkeepers in thier wisdom decided not to give out small change but to give you a couple of boiled sweets (hard candy?) instead.
Unfortunatly a pocket full of boiled sweets only amounts to a pocketfull of boiled sweets, when, after a few days of collecting them, I decided to try and cash in the revolting items in payment for some groceries. Needless to say, after a lengthy arguement, I didn't get my food, nor was I welcome back in the shop <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I haven't been back to Italy since....

arrivederci l'Italia