There was concern and even alarm in market halls around
the city of Malaga last weekend after the local authority announced that
a new bylaw would prohibit stallholders from “shouting out the nature
of their wares or their price or calling out to customers”. In other
words, anyone caught hollering to shoppers could face a 300 euro fine.
In the central Atarazanas market on Saturday there was
the usual bustle but no voices were heard above the general murmur, that
is, until you reached the fish section. Every so often fishmongers
advertised their wares to customers with cries of “Boquerones, jureles,
baratos”, or “Gambas, almejas, mejillones”; not too loud but loud enough
to hear. When consulted about the City Hall’s regulation one
fishmonger’s response was: “They must be bored”. “Shouting out
occasionally is quite normal”, said another, “It happens in markets all
over Spain”.
Even the customers were surprised by the prohibition:
“It’s outrageous, especially with this crisis, that they can’t even tell
people what they are selling”, said one shopper.
The reactions have already caused the local councillor,
Esther Molina, to tone down the plans for a ban. She explained that they
would try to limit the shouting and the noise levels but would not
prohibit the traditional selling techniques that make the markets lively
and boost sales.
Ángela: This new bylaw is just another attempt to standardize Europe and should be stopped.
ReplyDeleteCata: As someone who dislikes crowds, I'm all for quieter markets; however, I can understand the tradition of the practice and think it shouldn't be punished.
NI B Ana, Mª José and Carolina:
ReplyDeleteWe think politicians have other more important things to worry about at this moment than to destroy our traditions. If you don't want to hear noise while you're shopping, go to Mercadona!
NI B Maria, Patricia, Marina and Natalia:
ReplyDeleteShouting in markets to sell food is a typical custom in Spain, and nobody should change it.
NI B Maika, Dani and M José:
ReplyDeleteMálaga Town Hall has better things to do than try to control our traditions. For example, in Japan people are allowed to shout in the street-so why can't we keep our traditions in markets.
NI B Alvaro, Antonio and Juan Jesus:
ReplyDeleteWe think Málaga Town Hall has spent all the public money in the new underground and now they want to recover it any way they can - including fining stallholders for shouting.
Ángela(2): I want to know how the City of Málaga plans to enforce this ban and limit the volume and/or amount of shouting in Spain's markets? Are they going to have Noise Police?!
ReplyDeleteCata(2): If they want to handicap stallholders in this ridiculous manner, I think the local government should be forced to suffer a similar handicap. I propose a 300€ fine for lying or embellishing the truth.
NI D Laura C, Fran, Gema, Laura L:
ReplyDeleteWe don't agree with this idea because there are more important things to prohibit. People should be able to work in a lively atmosphere. This type of atmosphere can be attractive for tourists - the noise in market is quite traditional. We absolutely agree with the stallholder's opinion.
NI D Pablo, Ana P, Alba:
ReplyDeleteWe don't agree with this new bylaw because the traditional way of selling in markets is very popular. However, if the city wants stallholders to be more quiet, they should implement a different method for the stallholders to use to advertise their wares.