Italian customs?

Question

What are some Italian customs that I may not know about being an American? I don't want to go there and do something that is normal for an American but considered rude by Italians or vice versa. Thanks for the help!

besides obvious stuff please :)

Answer 1

You've gotten a lot of good answers. How about adding these?

- When you sit in a restaurant, you have the table until you leave. The custom is to not rush your meal and to not "turn over" tables quickly. This is why most waiters won't bring you the bill until you ask. Don't get mad waiting for your bill - it won't arrive until you ask for it.

- Italians don't have much patience for lines, or queues as they're called. It's very much a first come first served culture so don't be shocked when they cut in front of you or you're unable to find the end of a line because there isn't one. If you find yourself in a situation where you'd expect a line, you could very well find a mosh pit. Be aggressive or you'll never get served. This isn't really true of tourist sites because most tourists aren't Italian.

- Don't make a fist with your index finger and pinky extended (kinda like a bull with horns gesture), then point it at an Italian. They also don't like it when you point with your index finger - you'll see most Italians point with all 4 fingers extended.

- Don't expect to get water with your meal for free. Also, you'll find you're asked if you want carbonated water or non-carbonated water. This can take many forms: "con gas," "frizzante," "still" Be prepared for the question.

- Cappuccino is strickly a morning drink. An Italian won't drink it after about 11:00AM. From that time on, it's espresso in one form or another. If you order a cappuccino after dinner, you may get a funny look but they'll serve you. Oh yeah, coffee is "cafe" and it's served in Bars, i.e a bar in Italy is not the same as a bar in the US.

- You'll see many pairs of Italian men or women walking arm-in-arm (elbows interlocked). They are not gay, they are family or very close friends. It's considered an honor if an Italian walks with you this way. It means they are very close to each other - the best of friends. Trust me, it's very special so don't giggle, stare, or otherwise make a spectacle of it. Be jealous.

Have a great time and heed all the other responses, too!

Answer 2

First and foremost: every single point in the answer from "peacefrogg1" is false. Perhaps she has something against Italy, who knows.
Coming to the question, it's all very simple. You don't need to know anything special about Italian customs. Beware of commonplaces, there is nothing like "something that is normal for an American but considered rude by Italians or vice versa". Everyday common sense will be more than enough to handle any situation. Also, don't worry too much about the language, most young people know English, you will always find somebody to help you, just ask. Have fun!

Answer 3

- Most Italians eat dinner very late into the night. Dinner is a very drawn out event. Feel free NOT to order all of the courses. They will understand having just two or three.

- Bread, water and butter have additional costs when dining. You can push to have tap water at some places, but you are going to have to push. It is often better just to pay for it.

- Italians do not seem to understand the concept of a line, or queue. Do not be surprised if you are in the front of a line and then suddenly at the bery back. ...with all of the other Americans and the English.

- Coffee in many form is ingested at all times of the day. Yes, even Cappuccino. At least it was for the month that we were there. Restaurants are more than happy to serve it to you no matter what time it is.

- Avoid wearing shorts in Rome and Florence. Short are not common sights in either city. I feel sorry for the men, however, the women can wear skirts, dresses and capri pants. Also the Italians love well dresses men and women. Do not expect top rate service if you are dressed poorly.

- Make sure to inquire about the service charges at the restaurants. Often it is not considered the tip, and it is an additional charge. I believe that it has to be posted, normally on the bottom of the menu.

That is all off of the top of my head. Have fun and remember to enjoy your vacation. :)

Answer 4

I'm Italian and I agree with OneLilithHidesAnother. Most answers are strange, especially peacefrogg1's one · that told you a world I don't know. I'm a woman, I've lived all my life in northern Italy. I've read peacefrogg1 's answer wondering if he/she think on night the strange things he/she has written on here.
Italy is a country formed by a north, a center and a south with three different cultures. I'm from the north, if you've ever been to southern France or Barcelona, we're very similar to each other.
In northern Italy, when you enter a shop is considered rude if you don't greet the shopkeeper, therefore you should say a buongiorno (hello) when you enter, a grazie when you pay something and greet the shopkeeper with an arrivederci (good-bye) when you leave the shop.
(Same goes for any restaurant, bars, etc)
Every girl wears a summer t-shirt, short pants and sneakers. I'm a young woman, short pants are reserved on the beach, I wear some light dress. In the Winter, skinny jeans are perfect for girls and women. Yesterday I've met some German girls, with short pants. They were OK.
I'm not ugly, I was popular among guys before my wedding, nobody pinched my butt. You won't get your butt pinched in northern Italy (each 8 regions).
We kiss on cheeks our friends and relatives, it's not our culture to kiss tourists on cheeks. In the north it's more a kiss in the air around the cheeks. No way we kiss on lips someone who's not our partner.

Answer 5

Follow Rick's advice. I don't know who the rest of these people are, but as an American who lived in Italy for 16 months, I never had any of these experiences. Well, I did have my butt pinched once...

I used to work in a youth hostel in Rome and had plenty of chances to observe what is called the "ugly American" syndrome (though it can be true of Brits, Aussies, Germans, and anyone of any nationality). The thing to keep in mind is that you're a foreigner, you are a guest in someone else's country, and you should act appropriately. Don't shout in English when someone can't understand you, don't make fun of women with hairy armpits (it's just a culture thing--you don't hear European women making fun of American women's shaved armpits, do you?), and for heavens sake, don't make comments like, "Well in America we do it this way." You're not in America anymore--which is I think the question you're asking to begin with.

I can't recall any situations where I did something completely normal/American that horrified any Italians. I'd suggest that at first, take time to watch how people interact (Italians use lots of gestures) and try to emulate those encounters.

Above all, SMILE!!! It's a gesture that's understood the world over!

Answer 6

1. Make sure you dress well. To Italians, your appearance will say more about you than your words. Superficial, maybe, but it's a fact. Nerdy shorts, tennis shoes, backpacks, etc. will all give out a vibe that you don't understand them.

2. Avoid being over-gregarious. Since there are already stereotypes about loud Americans, it would be a bad idea to act the part.

3. Don't drink too much, unless you're in the company of the younger generation. Being drunk is still somewhat looked down upon.

4. Always give up your seat on a bus, train, etc. for the elderly, pregnant, injured.

5. Relax and don't worry about being rude. Have fun on your trip!

Answer 7

I've been to Italy two times and have cousins who just returned. My family are immigrants from Northern and Southern Italy. I am very knowledgeable about the people, customs and best places to see.
First and foremost, the customs are important.
1. When someone kisses you, you kiss them R cheek, L cheek, R Cheek and then L cheek and if you know them well you finish with a kiss on the lips and a hug.
2. Men generally pinch your butt if they find you attractive and is their way to complement your beauty even though you may not appreciate it. Don't be rude or strike up a conversation with a complete stranger unless your looking to get lucky, they are pretty sexual people and will take that as an invitation for sex.
3. Everyone begs for your money. If they know your an American and they do, they will beg yuo moreso and call you names when you do not give them money, Use discretion because these beggars are not poor by any means and make more money from tourist in a week than you could make in a month.
4. They are pretty liberated and sex is an art not something dirty and the womans body is a masterpiece
5. women DO NOT shave their pits and sometime their legs and when your on a packed bus the aroma od BO is heavy especially on a 90 degree afternoon.
6. you eat bread with your meals and you are expected to tip even IF gratuity is added tot he bill. Sounds crazy but it could happen.
7. Theivery is at large and any child, woman or man can rob you blind anda re good at it while haveing a friendly conversation with you. Wear a strap with your purse draped across your chest, kepp your belongings tagged to your body or unremovable clothing, wallets in fron tpockets and zippers zipped buttons closed, and so on.carry Traveler cheues and credit cards.
8.Street markets are well known for ripping you off. you have to be better at the bickering game than they. the clue is listent ot what they say closely in broken English or have someone who can speak Italian.

Places to see

1. Florence is a mUST if you love culture and art and are open minded
2. Rome is nice if your visiting the Vatican, St. Peter' Square but to visit the city side is not so pleasant. I recommend a tour guide 3. Venice is lovely but know once your there, your there and a ferry will get you back and forth. There is a glass blowing factory that is awesome and the gondola's are heavinly and romantic. the cafe's and terrazas are lovely and open most through the night. Other than romancing the stone that is about all you can do there.
4. Pisa is the leaning tower of PISA and that is about it. you can no longer go on the leaning tower.
5. Assissi is very ancient with some beautiful churches and you will see real Monks. Its a religious city for the most part.
6. San Marino is sort of an Island if its own. It is beautiful coutryside and there is a lot to do, but I recommend a tour uide or someone who can guide you. Its a large republic with in Italy.

Trains are best to travel from city to city and depending on where your at in italy, you can visit Switzerland, france, Germany and other local countries and providences in a day and return to your hotel fairly reasonable.
Buses are crowded but can get you from street to street, and many ride or rent bikes or walk for the most part.

The Italian food in italy is a delicious culinary treat but do not expect Ragu, Pizza Hut or McDonalds. The food can be pricey to fairly cheap. If it looks expensive it probably is and if it looks dirty its probably the best food you will eat. sandwiches are sandwiches and pizza is not what your use to, and usually depending on where you go, it ranges between a 16" pie gooey with cheese and marinara sauce to quid and octopus with white clam sauce. They serve macaroni with sugo, not spaghetti and meatballs. Sugo can be a sauce or red gravy. Seafood is big in Italy because if their Mediterranian resources. Everythingin the sea imaginable on the menu twisted, crusted, fried, broiled boiled and sauteed. Their desserts are notoriusly sweet confections and do not taste llike they do here. their coffee is like mud. I fyou like Starbucks you'll be OK.
Breakfast is continetal, NO BACON AND EGGS ever as far as i know. Oh and SODA IS SERVED WARM, they dont ice anything.

Best travel sources are:

Cruising genrally 10-14 days
I took Alitalia and did not have an issue and i took a charter flight another time. Northwest is another good source however your travel agents give you th best deal.

Hope this help have fun!

Answer 8

maybe try and speak some of the language, even if it's a few words, just making an effort will go a long way. Don't just assume everyone speaks English, always ask if they do first, i found that this actually worked well. Don't speak too loudly, and be very demanding. Regardless of nationality, if you act in a arrogant manner you will be treated badly, if you are nice and always have a smile on your face, people go a long way out out their way to treat you well and make your trip a great one. Have a great time!

Answer 9

don't take Al Italia(the airlines) i lost my baggage with them, they found it, and they never bothered to return it. some common "customs" there is NO SELF SERVICE. this means that if u sit at restaurant seating you must order something or its loitering. also in my opinion, italian pizza is way overrated and i would order ravioli or pasta instead...but dont comment on their food. also, before u sit down to eat, ask about what the service charge is and how tips are given. I didnt see it on the menu so i refused to pay and they got TICKED off.

if you dont understand a person, dont keep saying 'i don't understand' they'll keep saying it more clearly in italian. instead ask for clarification in english or a person who can say english.

know some useful phrases in italians. they are very proud of their language, and sometimes they look down upon english.

hope this helped.

Answer 10

I don´t know your age, but young Americans under 21 often are drunk because they can buy booze without showing their passports.
A young American girl ( maybe 16 ?) once vomited on my shoes at a bus stop in Venice, because of too much cheap red wine. This behavior is not very popular in Italy for sure...