Went to Benetton this morning, to exchange the jumper I bought on monday (in the sale) for one the right size. I hate exchanging things even in Britain - I don't know why, I've worked in enough shops to know it's no big deal - so I was nervous about things somehow becoming complicated, but of course it went smoothly. Summer sales are a serious business here, particularly in the big chain stores like Benetton - absolutely everything in the store is half price for a week to make room for the 'autumn collection'.

Benetton has lost credibility witht he discerning Italian designer-label buyer. This is chiefly because all their clothes are now made in China. Why this should be such a big deal I don't know - in my experience, all designer clothes fall apart after about 3 months no matter who made them - but they don't like it here.

I went to fnac afterwards, the big books/cds shop which I think is French owned, to buy another Dino Buzzati to read. In there, I noticed two books of 'Francesco Totti Jokes'. Totti is Italy's most famous footballer, who is Beckham-esque in his command of life and language. However, the jokes were pretty weak, and tasteless. Here is a representative example:

Totti: Doctor, I've got diarrhea
Doctor: Have you tried lemon?
Totti: Yes but when I took it out.. (etc..)

Oh dear.