Senselessland (chapter 3)

Impressions and images from a trip to Bel Paese

Italy is a country experiencing poverty. That's the reality, and it is both perceptible and - above all - visible. No one says it officially, least of all do it the government which officially participates to the same impoverishment. In Italy more and more flourished the "gold shops", places where people can go to sell their jewels in gold getting money. The fact the presence of these shops increased together with the fact today are so widespread means Italians have been going (and who knows? Perhaps went) in ruin. Domestic demand is collapsing: a lot of shops closed as well as a lot of commercial activities are over. Along the streets of Rome rolling shutters are down, and where they are up shops are desert. For business owner no customers means no money; for customer no job - and in Italy people with a job are is a rare phenomenon - means no money; for both no money means economic difficulties. While people are suffering the crisis and commercial activities die, the "gold shops" grow in number and - consequently - in business.

In local language these "gold shops" are called "compro oro", that literally can be translated "we buy gold" in English. Now, if there are people buying gold somewhere have to be people selling, and if the number of these shops increased then increased the necessity of selling gold in order to get money. Nothing to add to what has been said at the beginning: all that clearly prove that Italians are becoming poorer and poorer every day that goes by. Now, here we have the "funniest" side of this story: "gold pawnshops" are encouraged by the authorities. Of course, as all the economic and commercial activities, to be opened these shops need to have regular licence and permissions are granted by the same public authorities that officially are committed to tackle the crisis, to fight poverty and to promote recovery. Really, it doesn't make sense.