It seems like where ever I go in Italy, business signs are non existent. Either on the road directing you to businesses, or at the door to the business. I’m accustomed to huge signs advertising the location or presence, drawing people in. In Italy I don’t see that.
Heading to dinner one night with a friend, we walked every street looking for a pizza place that had been recommended. We searched for any sign of a restaurant. We walked 100% of every street. There was no restaurant to be found. The next day I asked the person who made the recommendation. She exclaimed, “Oh, there’s no sign, and if it’s chilly, the door would be closed. You just have to know.”
If a place is good, people know where it is. There’s no need for an ugly sign.
Shops have to pay the comune for any sign they put up. That could explain it. And they might be vindicated by the saying: a good wine needs no bush. All explained in this informative blog: https://wordhistories.net/2017/12/02/good-wine-needs-no-bush/
I didn’t know that about the fees to the commune. Makes sense. Thanks for the link – I’m going to waste a bunch of time in that website!
Another thing that foreigners should know is that the restaurant might be down an “alley.” In Europe an alley is often just a “smaller/side street.” I had a kind Italian gentleman take me down a nice alley to show me where the recommended restaurant was! ~~ Another time, it was to my hotel’s front door! (which “faced” the Piazza del Duomo!)~~ PS I want to know what’s under that blue pillow case! ha!
Under the blue pillow case?