What should I check when buying a pineapple? I live in middle Europe so pineapple (so called "ananas") is an exotic fruit for me.

What should I check when buying a pineapple to make sure it would taste well? Should it smell specific? Should it be soft or hard? Should it be big or small?

I believe this questions is valid for other regions as well. Is it?
you can test if a pineapple is ripe by trying to pluck out one of the leaves near the centre.  If it comes out fairly easily then the pineapple is good to go.  if its hard to get out its not ripe yet.