could u explain me that idiom "when in Rome, do as the Romans"????

Question

I'm Italian, from Rome and I've seen many time this idiom in answer... what does it mean??? I don't think we've got a similar one..... THANX A LOTS!!!! :)

Answer 1

About the history and origins behind the famous saying when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Stories behind Famous Sayings


The Saying: WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO.

Who Said It: St. Ambrose
When: 387 A.D.

The Story behind It: When St. Augustine arrived in Milan, he observed that the Church did not fast on Saturday as did the Church at Rome. He consulted St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan, who replied: "When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not. Follow the custom of the Church where you are." The comment was changed to "When they are at Rome, they do there as they see done" by Robert Burton in his Anatomy of Melancholy. Eventually it became "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

or

When in Rome, do as the Romans do means that when you are visiting a new place, you should try to do as the people do who are from the place. Example: "I can't eat that." Reply: "Oh, give it a try. When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

People from different places have different ways of acting, so it is important to try to do things the way people do who are from the place that you are visiting. Example: "Are you sure we can eat this with our hands?" Reply: "Why not? All of these people are. When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

The city of Rome was the capitol of the great Roman Empire. There were many strange and interesting things to do when visiting ("in") Rome. Example: "Back home, we never sing in front of other people." Reply: "Oh, come on. Give it a try! When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

Answer 2

It's "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." It means when you're in a relatively strange land, follow the examples of the locals in order to fit in better.

Answer 3

Funny. Eddie House, who was with the Celtics when KG and Ray Allen joined them, and is now with the Heat, said that it was a seamless process with three superstars working toward a single goal with the Celtics. The Heat are still finding their way. These things don't always work.

Answer 4

When I studied Italian in the USA, the idiom in Italian was: Paese che vai, usanza che trovi. Someone in America made it: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

In other words, don't make waves...follow common practices, even when they seem to contradict your normal behavior, under those circumstances. Such as: You come from Germany and you are having dinner in a restaurant in Las Vegas. When the bill is presented, you would ordinarily leave a tip of between 5-10%. In the U.S. and particularly in Las Vegas, if you left a 10% tip for an expensive meal, you'd be considered 'thrifty'(I'm being kind!). The usual tip for decent service is 15%...exceptional service is 20 and if you're a big spender, the sky's the limit. Get the point?

Answer 6

It means that you should follow the customs/behaviour of the country you are in. It could easily be 'when in Britain do what the British do'. Why Rome was picked for this saying I have no idea. But it just means whatever country you are in then you should follow their ways ie. customs etc. For eg. covering your head and shoulders before entering church.

Answer 7

If you decided in studying to speak Chinese then you must now that the best alternative is a Program for Mandarin.

Answer 8

its like <> it means that in every country you are in you have to act like the locals. for example if you came tp greece wot the idiom means is that you have to be like the greeks. ur country is mentioned typically in the idiom. not about something in ur country jus the way it is. the idiom could say about any country. if i came to rome and went to a restaurant and didnt know what to order i woulld say that idiom and have spaghetti like the locals do.. do yu understand? ihope i helped you...xxx

Answer 9

As the first answer says...be respectful to the locals, the way of life and local traditions and customs...I live in france now and if you make an effort to speak the langauge and even ask how to say things you will be much more respected than if you...(as some have)...move here and expect The French to jump to your tune...maybe that's why I moved from the UK...to many people wanting it their own way and bollocks to everyone else !!!! It doesn't mean you have to conform as such...just make an effort !!!

Answer 10

As others have said - it simply means you follow the local customs in another region, when abroad or even when visiting someone who is from a different culture…

I don’t know exactly where it came from but the explanation below is plausible:

The Saying: WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO.
Who Said It: St. Ambrose
When: 387 A.D.
The Story behind It: When St. Augustine arrived in Milan, he observed that the Church did not fast on Saturday as did the Church at Rome. He consulted St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan, who replied: "When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not. Follow the custom of the Church where you are." The comment was changed to "When they are at Rome, they do there as they see done" by Robert Burton in his Anatomy of Melancholy. Eventually it became "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
http://www.trivia-library.com/b/origins-of-sayings-when-in-rome-do-as-the-romans-do.htm

Answer 11

It means, change according to environment. If you go to Singapore, change according to the people who live in there. It doesn't has anything to do with Rome. You know what i mean!!!!!

That's it.

Hope you got help:)

Tammy