Money, Saldi, e Carta

There is something about money in Naples everyone needs to know: It's not what you are used to.

1. Credit and debit cards just aren't used. I have used them once since May. There is a high chance the information will get stolen, but there is a better chance that the store, worker, restaurant or establishment does not take credit card.

2. The only payment we make not in cash is our rent. By law, any payment of more than 1,000E must be in check or electronic deposit. This is to make sure that the sale is being reported to the government so they are taxed at the high rate of 21%.

3. Coins are needed all the time for shopping cart (it costs 1E but you get it back when you return it) to tipping for parking, cleaning windshields, tissues, etc. Coins come in large denominations-- up to 2 Euro (almost $3 dollars) so you have to feel in your pocket to determine how much you are ready to tip, or the tipee may whine something along the lines of "how will I eat?" if you give less than what he sees.

4. Everyone wants exact change in a bizarre way. I had a bill for E26.50 and only had a E50 bill, they would like me to give them a 1E coin and a 0.50 piece so the change they give me is easier. I'm not talking about the small fruit stands, the small mom and pop restaurant or the market. It's also places like Ikea, Leroy Merlin (like Home Depot) and the grocery store. No matter what, I seem to not have the right change and I often just display what I have and let them look and pick what they need (against Rick Steve's cautions, these people are very nice and I haven't had a theft when I show trust). The good thing is tax is already part of the sale price so you really could calculate the total before checkout if you really were into being perfect.

5. Bills are odd. Our electric bill is three months behind, meaning 6months after you used it. We moved in May so they started monitoring the electricity in June and reread the meter in August and I now have my electric bill for June-August. A bill for a ticket triples within 2 weeks of it being mailed to you. I do not get bills from our kids school. We have the normal tuition and food fees, but sometimes there is a uniform fee or materials fees. We have to ask for a bill and are told not to worry about it.