I think it's universal for vendors around the world to add a little spice to their spiel as they hawk their wares. I've heard fruit salesmen in South Korea put a spin on their stock and fish mongers in Malta trying to make a sale in three different languages as they expertly cut fillets. Here in the United States, it's not so common anymore. My folks told me about people who would go through the neighborhood selling fruit and vegetables, or collecting rags and old iron when they were kids in the 40's. These days the closest thing we have is an ice cream truck playing "The Entertainer". The Italian fruit vendor and his songs were a common sight in the days of old. Friends have told me the tradition is still very much alive in SicilyIn the 20's a few records were made by popular recording artists singing their version of fruit vendors songs about their produce. Genarro Quaranta made a great one, Coppia Voccia made another which is fantastic. Here is one by the "Venditore Napoletani". I'm not sure who the artist is, but he has a wonderful voice, which leads me to believe that he was a professional entertainer imitating a fruit vendor rather than the real deal. Who knows? If you do, please, pass it on.
