The first time I saw one, there was no gondolier around, so I thought maybe he'd left a note for someone in case they showed up before he returned.
Then I saw more of them.
I thought "wow, there sure are a lot of gondoliers leaving notes for people".
After a while I started to see some uniformity and began to consider other possibilities.
Insurance papers?
Vessel registration?
Release of liability if a guy proposes on board and his lady rejects him?
Nereo Zane sent me this photo, and after some inspection, it appears to be a price list.
The way these are posted faithfully, I'd guess that they are required, or at least strongly encouraged.
Have any of my readers read one?
Thus far I haven't plucked one off a guy's bow to get a closer look.
I've thought about grabbing one, but then I get this look:
"What are you lookin' at!"