Comments on: why i love il farmacista in italy http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html Sun, 20 May 2012 13:45:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Mary Floridia-Rankin http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html/comment-page-1#comment-288947 Mary Floridia-Rankin Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:38:19 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=2674#comment-288947 My friend and I had the funniest experience in la farmicia a couple of years ago in Sicily. The pharmacy was filled with a few people and the pharmacist was talking to one person in line but he was a happy soul. He saw us come in and knew we were Americans as he started singing our national anthem...everyone laughed and smiled...he asked us what we wanted and I, stupidly said, minerale de olio (mineral oil, thinking that was the word for it) for our problem...little did I know there is no mineral oil in Italy. (I think that is what he said.) Well, that started some funny comments from some of the patrons and the pharmacist but gave us a chance to talk to some of the patrons. One man was a worker in the post office who wore a suit (in America post office workers wear a uniform) and he said that American women are strong (forte) and big (grande)...I think he meant we weren't skinny and he told us to come and visit him, He worked right across the street. The pharmacist gave us a questioning look and said something in Italian that I couldn't catch but everyone chuckled and then he said in very good English that he recommended this and handed us a box of something for our problem...I don't even remember what it was or if we even used it...then under his breath he said something else and everyone chuckled..so for a while we brought a laugh in the lives of these sweet Italians and it was just one of those laughable moments in our vacation that endears the Italians to us. <strong><em>Always an adventure for sure! Thanks for sharing your story, Mary :)</em></strong> My friend and I had the funniest experience in la farmicia a couple of years ago in Sicily. The pharmacy was filled with a few people and the pharmacist was talking to one person in line but he was a happy soul. He saw us come in and knew we were Americans as he started singing our national anthem…everyone laughed and smiled…he asked us what we wanted and I, stupidly said, minerale de olio (mineral oil, thinking that was the word for it) for our problem…little did I know there is no mineral oil in Italy. (I think that is what he said.) Well, that started some funny comments from some of the patrons and the pharmacist but gave us a chance to talk to some of the patrons. One man was a worker in the post office who wore a suit (in America post office workers wear a uniform) and he said that American women are strong (forte) and big (grande)…I think he meant we weren’t skinny and he told us to come and visit him, He worked right across the street.
The pharmacist gave us a questioning look and said something in Italian that I couldn’t catch but everyone chuckled and then he said in very good English that he recommended this and handed us a box of something for our problem…I don’t even remember what it was or if we even used it…then under his breath he said something else and everyone chuckled..so for a while we brought a laugh in the lives of these sweet Italians and it was just one of those laughable moments in our vacation that endears the Italians to us.

Always an adventure for sure! Thanks for sharing your story, Mary :)

]]> By: PassagetoItaly http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html/comment-page-1#comment-282290 PassagetoItaly Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:19:34 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=2674#comment-282290 Luckily, while in Italy, I haven't had the need to get any medications from the farmacia. *Knock on wood*. The only times I was there was to buy a taglia unghia (a nail clipper) and, ahem, Immodium. I also accompanied my ex when he was unfortunately sick. They have quite a few things that we don't have here, like, fermenti lattici, which are live lactic cultures, or probiotics. For some reason, I think their probiotics are more natural than the pill form ones you have here. I am not sure if they come in a pill form there (probably), but I have seen a powder form that's mixed into water. Does anyone know about these? <strong><em>I don't know anything about them, but I'm about to...would like to try to make some yogurt with my goat's milk after they deliver :) </em></strong> .-= PassagetoItaly´s last blog ..<a href="http://passagetoitaly.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/recipe-of-the-month-il-stufato-di-vitello-e-verdure/" rel="nofollow">Recipe of the Month: Il Stufato di Vitello e Verdure</a> =-. Luckily, while in Italy, I haven’t had the need to get any medications from the farmacia. *Knock on wood*. The only times I was there was to buy a taglia unghia (a nail clipper) and, ahem, Immodium. I also accompanied my ex when he was unfortunately sick. They have quite a few things that we don’t have here, like, fermenti lattici, which are live lactic cultures, or probiotics. For some reason, I think their probiotics are more natural than the pill form ones you have here. I am not sure if they come in a pill form there (probably), but I have seen a powder form that’s mixed into water. Does anyone know about these?

I don’t know anything about them, but I’m about to…would like to try to make some yogurt with my goat’s milk after they deliver :)

.-= PassagetoItaly´s last blog ..Recipe of the Month: Il Stufato di Vitello e Verdure =-.

]]> By: csitly http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html/comment-page-1#comment-242198 csitly Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:28:03 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=2674#comment-242198 I'm glad you are feeling better and I'm happy (and envious!) to see so many positive experiences w/ il farmacista here! Suffice to say, I'm not a fan. It always happens that I need to visit a pharmacy during the mid-day closing hours. Always. And since I do not have a car it's nearly impossible for me to make it to the location listed that is open. Of course there's an 'in case of emergency' number listed, but still for me, this doesn't seem enough. I think certain professions make a commitment of service to their communities irrespective of what time of day it is- hospitals don't close, nor to fire stations, police stations etc. Heck, even my grocery store has continuous hours. Pharmacists are an extension of the medical profession, and people become ill any time of day. I don't have a problem asking il farmacista for medication recommendations- in moderation. A cold sore, a runny nose, sure. But I'm weary of using the pharmacist as a substitute for a physiscian as my in-laws and many others here seem to do. My grandfather and several friends are pharmacists in the States and Ireland. They would never presume to diagnose someone- and not for fear of a law suit that could arrise in the case of mis-diagnosis, but because they will be the first to tell you they were not trained to diagnose, they were trained to dispense medication. Perhaps I'm completely off here, and pharmacists are trained differently here, I don't know. And of course I'm not trying to insinuate that pharmacists belive they're a substitute for a medical docter. I just worry that the annoyace that is visiting a doc here, and the helpfulness pharmacies offer make some people (ah hem, again, my in-laws) avoid the doc more than I think is good for them. I hate having to tell il farmacista every little thing you need as well. My Italian's not all that, and, as some others commented, it's a bit maddening to be trying to describe (and let's be honest, do a fair bit of pantomiming) your symptoms/what you need. It also feels so patronizing to me to have to ask the pharmacist for the simplist of things- asprin, vitamins. Recently I was after a basal thermometer. The first four pharmacists did't have any, and the fith repeatedly asked me if I was SURE that's what I wanted, and did I COMPLETELY understand the difference to a normal thermometer. Mortifying. Ha! Sorry for the rant! And really, I'm glad there are so many positive comments above, especially from the visitors to Italy who needed a visit to il farmacista! <strong><em>OK that's really annoying about the thermometer. I mean, just hand it over! Sheesh! Hopefully you'll start needing the pharmacy during its operating hours...I've found that I've weirdly adjusted to things like that. Like, for instance, my mom was telling me how my niece and nephew had eye appointments at 1 pm and I was just beside myself...when would they eat lunch?! Hah!</em></strong> I’m glad you are feeling better and I’m happy (and envious!) to see so many positive experiences w/ il farmacista here!

Suffice to say, I’m not a fan. It always happens that I need to visit a pharmacy during the mid-day closing hours. Always. And since I do not have a car it’s nearly impossible for me to make it to the location listed that is open. Of course there’s an ‘in case of emergency’ number listed, but still for me, this doesn’t seem enough. I think certain professions make a commitment of service to their communities irrespective of what time of day it is- hospitals don’t close, nor to fire stations, police stations etc. Heck, even my grocery store has continuous hours. Pharmacists are an extension of the medical profession, and people become ill any time of day.

I don’t have a problem asking il farmacista for medication recommendations- in moderation. A cold sore, a runny nose, sure. But I’m weary of using the pharmacist as a substitute for a physiscian as my in-laws and many others here seem to do. My grandfather and several friends are pharmacists in the States and Ireland. They would never presume to diagnose someone- and not for fear of a law suit that could arrise in the case of mis-diagnosis, but because they will be the first to tell you they were not trained to diagnose, they were trained to dispense medication. Perhaps I’m completely off here, and pharmacists are trained differently here, I don’t know. And of course I’m not trying to insinuate that pharmacists belive they’re a substitute for a medical docter. I just worry that the annoyace that is visiting a doc here, and the helpfulness pharmacies offer make some people (ah hem, again, my in-laws) avoid the doc more than I think is good for them.

I hate having to tell il farmacista every little thing you need as well. My Italian’s not all that, and, as some others commented, it’s a bit maddening to be trying to describe (and let’s be honest, do a fair bit of pantomiming) your symptoms/what you need. It also feels so patronizing to me to have to ask the pharmacist for the simplist of things- asprin, vitamins. Recently I was after a basal thermometer. The first four pharmacists did’t have any, and the fith repeatedly asked me if I was SURE that’s what I wanted, and did I COMPLETELY understand the difference to a normal thermometer. Mortifying.

Ha! Sorry for the rant! And really, I’m glad there are so many positive comments above, especially from the visitors to Italy who needed a visit to il farmacista!

OK that’s really annoying about the thermometer. I mean, just hand it over! Sheesh!

Hopefully you’ll start needing the pharmacy during its operating hours…I’ve found that I’ve weirdly adjusted to things like that. Like, for instance, my mom was telling me how my niece and nephew had eye appointments at 1 pm and I was just beside myself…when would they eat lunch?! Hah!

]]> By: Romancing Italy http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html/comment-page-1#comment-241210 Romancing Italy Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:00:44 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=2674#comment-241210 It was quite the shock to have to go to the pharmacist for every little piddly thing; well, not every little piddly thing. You are right, we don't have to ask for tampons. Thank goodness! Can you imagine that embarrassment - especially if you have a hard of hearing pharmacist? <strong><em>Yes, thank goodness is right!!!</em></strong> It was quite the shock to have to go to the pharmacist for every little piddly thing; well, not every little piddly thing. You are right, we don’t have to ask for tampons. Thank goodness! Can you imagine that embarrassment – especially if you have a hard of hearing pharmacist?

Yes, thank goodness is right!!!

]]> By: Natalie http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html/comment-page-1#comment-240538 Natalie Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:29:03 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=2674#comment-240538 Glad you're feeling better! I loved our farmacista, too! With three kids, I'm sure we were his best customers. Do you all have the famous "linea de cortesia" about 3 feet away from the cash register? It's meant to give you some privacy, but the volume at which Italians speak (the pharmacist included) pretty much makes the "courtsey line" useless. :-) <abbr><em>Natalie’s last blog post..<a href="http://italianmoments.blogspot.com/2008/12/sick-in-america.html" rel="nofollow">Sick in America</a></em></abbr> <strong><em>Yes we have that line too! Too funny. I'm really lucky with my pharmacist...he actually talks at a normal decibel level :)</em></strong> Glad you’re feeling better! I loved our farmacista, too! With three kids, I’m sure we were his best customers. Do you all have the famous “linea de cortesia” about 3 feet away from the cash register? It’s meant to give you some privacy, but the volume at which Italians speak (the pharmacist included) pretty much makes the “courtsey line” useless. :-)

Natalie’s last blog post..Sick in America

Yes we have that line too! Too funny. I’m really lucky with my pharmacist…he actually talks at a normal decibel level :)

]]> By: Justin Catanoso http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html/comment-page-1#comment-240399 Justin Catanoso Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:56:48 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=2674#comment-240399 Michelle -- I have a favorite pharmacist in Calabria -- Paola Catanoso, my cousin, who lives in Reggio but owns una farmacia in Cosenza (crazy business rules in Italy prevent her from owning a store where she has lived). I would love for you to meet her. I mention her several times in my book. She is a wonderful woman with an hilarious sense of humor. You'd love her! <abbr><em>Justin Catanoso’s last blog post..<a href="http://www.justincatanoso.com/2008/12/13/italians-in-america/" rel="nofollow">Italians in America</a></em></abbr> <strong><em>Oh that's funny; I've never heard of that rule, but it doesn't surprise me...that's when you know you've lived in Italy too long I think ;) Cosenza and Reggio are both at least 2 hours from me, but feel free to pass along my contact info if she's an emailer. I can't place her in the book in my head right now....</em></strong> Michelle — I have a favorite pharmacist in Calabria — Paola Catanoso, my cousin, who lives in Reggio but owns una farmacia in Cosenza (crazy business rules in Italy prevent her from owning a store where she has lived). I would love for you to meet her. I mention her several times in my book. She is a wonderful woman with an hilarious sense of humor. You’d love her!

Justin Catanoso’s last blog post..Italians in America

Oh that’s funny; I’ve never heard of that rule, but it doesn’t surprise me…that’s when you know you’ve lived in Italy too long I think ;) Cosenza and Reggio are both at least 2 hours from me, but feel free to pass along my contact info if she’s an emailer. I can’t place her in the book in my head right now….

]]> By: Karen http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html/comment-page-1#comment-238638 Karen Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:22:56 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=2674#comment-238638 Oh, I do love your farmacista story as it brings smiles of shared experiences to my face! Now that I have gotten used to the Italian pharmacies I kind of like them too, but I still resent the fact that over-the-counter doesn't exist and that pharmacies will not give up there monopoly on selling asprin for goodness sake! <abbr><em>Karen’s last blog post..<a href="http://lostinsicilia.blogspot.com/2008/12/ognina-more-than-just-traffic-jam.html" rel="nofollow">Ognina - more than just a traffic jam</a></em></abbr> <strong><em>I hear you Karen...and the prices of painkillers are ridiculous!</em></strong> Oh, I do love your farmacista story as it brings smiles of shared experiences to my face! Now that I have gotten used to the Italian pharmacies I kind of like them too, but I still resent the fact that over-the-counter doesn’t exist and that pharmacies will not give up there monopoly on selling asprin for goodness sake!

Karen’s last blog post..Ognina – more than just a traffic jam

I hear you Karen…and the prices of painkillers are ridiculous!

]]> By: Tina http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html/comment-page-1#comment-238487 Tina Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:22:58 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=2674#comment-238487 Ok Michelle, I put my farmcista to the test today, and it went great! Same thing. Had some symptoms and first went to farmacista who was very knowledgable and gave me what I needed. It looks like Argentina has yet another thing in common with Italy ;-) <abbr><em>Tina’s last blog post..R.I.P. Luciano Mares</em></abbr> <strong><em>That's excellent news Tina; hope you're feeling better!</em></strong> Ok Michelle, I put my farmcista to the test today, and it went great! Same thing. Had some symptoms and first went to farmacista who was very knowledgable and gave me what I needed. It looks like Argentina has yet another thing in common with Italy ;-)

Tina’s last blog post..R.I.P. Luciano Mares

That’s excellent news Tina; hope you’re feeling better!

]]> By: casalba http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html/comment-page-1#comment-238135 casalba Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:27:18 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=2674#comment-238135 We also go to the pharmacist for advice on what to give our dogs. The pharmacist in the next village is so knowledgeable that you can even take your mushrooms to him and he'll tell you whether they're edible or not! <abbr><em>casalba’s last blog post..<a href="http://casalba.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/frantoio/" rel="nofollow">Frantoio</a></em></abbr> <strong><em>Now *that* is a great pharmacist!</em></strong> We also go to the pharmacist for advice on what to give our dogs. The pharmacist in the next village is so knowledgeable that you can even take your mushrooms to him and he’ll tell you whether they’re edible or not!

casalba’s last blog post..Frantoio

Now *that* is a great pharmacist!

]]> By: girasoli http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/12/why-i-love-il-farmacista-in-italy.html/comment-page-1#comment-237040 girasoli Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:41:02 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=2674#comment-237040 Glad you are finally feeling better. I was almost sucked in thinking the tampons were kept under lock and key! I seem to somehow visit a farmacia almost every year I go to Italy...ripped off toe nail after falling in the middle of traffic in Naples, ear swollen from allergic reaction to a bug bite, allergy problems, eye problems, etc. The most embarrassing time was when I was in Siracusa and I was experiencing a major IBS attack with diarrhea. I tried my best to explain my symptoms but eventually the farmacista had to call over her colleague. This resulted in a long involved discussion (while all the other customers waited impatiently for their turns, although I am sure at least I provided some entertainment). My problem was finally understood and I was given some great medicine. I do have to say that each time I have been to the farmacia, the medicine I have received has always worked wonderfully. <abbr><em>girasoli’s last blog post..<a href="http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/2008/12/post_18.html" rel="nofollow">remembering john lennon</a></em></abbr> <strong><em>Well I'm sorry you've had so much experience with pharmacies in Italy, but at least what you got helped! Sheesh. Be careful ;)</em></strong> Glad you are finally feeling better. I was almost sucked in thinking the tampons were kept under lock and key!

I seem to somehow visit a farmacia almost every year I go to Italy…ripped off toe nail after falling in the middle of traffic in Naples, ear swollen from allergic reaction to a bug bite, allergy problems, eye problems, etc. The most embarrassing time was when I was in Siracusa and I was experiencing a major IBS attack with diarrhea. I tried my best to explain my symptoms but eventually the farmacista had to call over her colleague. This resulted in a long involved discussion (while all the other customers waited impatiently for their turns, although I am sure at least I provided some entertainment). My problem was finally understood and I was given some great medicine. I do have to say that each time I have been to the farmacia, the medicine I have received has always worked wonderfully.

girasoli’s last blog post..remembering john lennon

Well I’m sorry you’ve had so much experience with pharmacies in Italy, but at least what you got helped! Sheesh. Be careful ;)

]]>