When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Living in Rome has been quite the experience. I’ve managed to put a list about Italy, Italians and their lifestyle.
1.) Generally, all Italians greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks.
2.) Italians actually talk with their hands and use gestures when talking to people or telling a story. When Italians get really into something they start moving their hands and exaggerate the way they pronunciate certain words.
3.) Italians respect those who take care of their appearance. They admire people who are fashionable and have good taste. It’s hard to walk around Italy and find people who aren’t dressed up.
4.) Biscotti and pastries are considered breakfast food. Eggs, bacon and toast aren’t a real thing. Bagels aren’t real either.
5.) There is no such thing as a large American coffee. The lifestyle is espresso or cappuccino. You drink it standing up at the bar and it usually costs one euro. You also have to pay the cashier first then you bring your receipt to the barista who will make your coffee. In Italy, ordering a cappuccino is the afternoon is frowned upon and certain places will refuse to sell you one.
6.) Italians apparently don’t know how to put ice in your drinks. If you get a warm mixed drink at a bar, don’t be suprised. It is common.
7.) Nothing compares to the food in Italy. It is seriously difficult to find bad food. When choosing a restaurant, stir clear from the touristy spots and try to stay towards the more local restaurants. You’ll find the local restaurants by really exploring the city and talking to local people.
8.) If you’re going to Italy you have to indulge in a five-course meal at least once.
9.) Wine is always a must.
10.) Lunch is a bigger meal than dinner.
11.) Dinner is always around 8 to 9 pm, some cities even later. Most restaurants will look at you funny if you show up to a restaurant before 8.
12.) Waitors/waitresses will laugh at you if you ask them for ketchup.
13.) Aperitivo is my new favorite thing. Aperitivo is an Italian traditional where you can go to a restaurant order a drink and get a free buffet for only five-ten euro. The food is appetizers and usually includes bruschetta, prosciutto, salami, cheese etc. The best part is that it is a buffet so you can go back for as many rounds as you want as long as you finish your plate. Italians will get annoyed if you don’t finish your food.
14.) Owners of restaurants will always stand outside their restaurant and try to persuade you to go to their place. They literally lure you in and claim they are “the best”.
15.) There is no such thing as a “doggie bag” at a restaurant. Your waiter/waitress will look at you funny if you ask for one.
16.) Tap water is NEVER served as restaurants. If you want water you have to order a large bottle that is usually 3.50 euros. A water bottle at a restaurant will cost you 3.50 euro but a six pack of large water bottles at a grocery store will cost you less than a euro. Or, if you dont buy water, you can easily drink at any water fountain on the street! Surprisingly enough the water is clean.
17.) Nobody leaves tips at restaurants.
18.) You’d be surprised how many places do NOT accept credit cards. “Cash only” gets frustrating very quickly.
19.) People will try to sell you stuff. EVERYWHERE. You can’t turn a street without someone trying to sell you a dumb toy or a fake purse.
20.) Pick pocketing is a huge issue. You basically need to guard your things at all times. Also, be aware of the gypsies. They often use their kids to try and pickpocket you.
21.) Crossing the street seems to be a continuing issue while abroad. Between Italian smart cars, motorcycles and tourists, the streets are always crowded. Italian drivers are crazy and aggressive when it comes to driving around the city. They don’t stop for you, you stop for them. Oh, and they do not always drive in one lane. They like to drive in the middle of two lanes.
22.) Nobody pays for tickets when using public transportation. For whatever reason, the conductor doesn’t usually check tickets. If he does, you just hop off the tram or pretend your foreign and it is your first time using public transportation…
23.) You don’t flag down cabs on the streets like you would in New York City. You have to call a cab company and wait at least 5-10 minutes for someone to pick up the phone. Then after you wait for a bit, they’ll send a cab to wherever you are. When you get in the cab the meter usually starts at three or four euro so your cab driver typically rips you off. Be sure to speak up.
24.) Men tend to over stare, whistle and practically bark at every female that walks past them.
25.) People are either overly friendly or not friendly at all.
26.) You push to enter a door and pull to open one.. Completely illogical.
27.) Its hard to walk down a street and not see a person smoking a cigarette or rolling their own cigarette.
28.) In public restrooms is it not unlikely for there not to be a toilet seat or toilet paper…
29.) Shops close from around 1 pm-3 pm for siesta! Everyone loves to eat a big lunch followed by a nap to refresh.
30.) My little Italian apartment is small. There is a tiny kitchen, bathroom, common room and 2 bedrooms for me and my 3 other roommates.
31.) Showering is often an issue. Between my roommates and me we really need to time our showers in order not to have a cold shower and I’m thankful when there is hot water.
32.) Drying your clothes- if there’s one thing I’m extremely excited about when coming home is being able to dry my clothes in an actual dryer. Here, there are no such thing as dryers. We were given one drying rack to hang our wet clothes and they take about two days to completely dry. Once dried, they are crunchy and far from soft. I’m convinced my clothes have actually been shrinking.
33.) In our apartment we have 4 separate garbage bags (plastic and cans, food, recycling and cardboard/paper)
34.) We have a gas stove and have to manually light it when we want to cook.
35.) Everything is smaller in Italy: the shampoo bottles, detergent, toilet paper and paper towels.
36.) It is crucial to go to the grocery store everyday to get the freshest produce. Milk, cheese and fruit will go bad in 3 days.
37.) Lines don’t exist in Italy. Everyone will push or shove you to get in front of everyone else. You need to be aggressive when it comes to leaving a place with a lot of Italians.
38.) Being late is the same thing as being on time. Nobody is ever on schedule in Italy and you need to expect for things to be on Italian time.
39.) Take the time to appreciate and learn the language. Italians like when people talk and acknowledge them in public settings. Even if you don’t speak Italian well they value the fact that you try.
40.) Italians love their cars and their shoes.
41.) There are a lot of entrepreneurs and small buisnesses in Italy. I’ve seen a lot of older Italians still working and dedicated to their buisinesses. They really take pride in what they do.
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