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Permesso, signora! Prego!

Permesso, signora! Prego!
"Excuse me, madam!" "Go ahead!"
From Lesson 27:Formal address (dare del Lei)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Permesso, signora! Prego!

Why use permesso instead of scusi to say 'excuse me' here?
While scusi means 'excuse me' to get someone's attention or apologize formally, permesso literally means 'permission'. Italians use it specifically when asking to physically pass by someone, step into a room, or squeeze through a crowded space.
Is signora used differently in Italian than 'Mrs.' in English?
Yes! In English, we almost always add a last name, like 'Mrs. Rossi'. In Italian, it is perfectly normal and very common to use signora (for women) or signore (for men) all by itself to address a stranger politely.
I thought prego meant 'you are welcome'. Why is it translated as 'go ahead'?
Prego is a very versatile polite word. Aside from replying to grazie, it is the standard formal way to say 'after you', 'please come in', or 'go ahead' when granting someone permission, holding a door open, or offering them a seat.
How does this interaction tie into the formal 'Lei' register?
This brief exchange is a perfect example of formal public manners. Using standalone titles like signora and highly polite permission words like prego is how Italians show respect to strangers, which is the exact same social distance you maintain when using the formal 'Lei'.

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