Italian Cult... er... Culture, Customs and the Way Things Are Done in Italy

Just so you know how things are done in Italy, and so you aren't called a stranieri (foreigner) to your face, here's some customary ways of doing things when in the country of green, white and red:

If you are a femme fashionista, it is perfectly acceptable to wear 6-inch stilettos while negotiating the cobblestone streets.

Sneakers are never worn in public places (unless you're going shopping or to an amusement park).

Cappuccino is ordered before 11 am. It's considered a breakfast drink because it contains milk.

When ordering pasta dishes with fish, do not ask for Parmesan cheese. It's just not done. 

A restaurant in Tuscany chef will only make lasagna with béchamel cream--unless you pay extra.

A restaurant in the South will only use pomodoro (tomato) sauce in lasagna--unless you ask nicely.

Limoncello is for “old ladies”--and tourists.

Prosecco should only be drunk before dinner (and after a hot air balloon ride). 

If you say you don't drink in Italy, you'll still get a glass of wine. It's equal to water.

Older men may drink wine with their morning cornetto--they've earned that right.

It's perfectly acceptable to buy a beer and drink it while filling your gas tank.

Stop signs may be ignored. Same goes for stop lights. The same for no passing signs.

Strangers say buongiorno . Friends say ciao.

One shake is enough when meeting someone.

When meeting, a kiss on each cheek is acceptable--if you are close friends.

If invited to an Italian's home for dinner, bring pastry, flowers or chocolates.

Never wear jeans to a church or classy restaurant.

Shorts are worn only at the beach. If you do wear them you'll be marked as a tourista.

Never telephone someone between 2 and 4 pm. They'll be napping.

Complimenting an Italian's baby is considered a curse if not followed by "Dio la benedica" (God bless).

Never place a loaf of bread upside down or stab it with a knife. It represents the body of Christ.

Laying a hat on someone's bed will cause a death.

Italians do not keep birds as pets because of their malocchio (evil eye).

In snack shops and bars, order what you want first, pay for it at the cashier, then take the receipt to the person filling the orders. They will put a little tear in it so you don't try to use the receipt again.

In Italy having wall to wall carpets is thought of as being disgusting and unhealthy.

Italian women think the rest of the world is rude not to have bidets.

Wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve will bring love.

Drafts (called 'colpo d'aria' ) are considered life threatening, so wear a scarf or puffy jacket. 

If you hear a cat sneeze you are blessed with good luck.

Men should never shave on Friday. Women don't have to shave under their arms.

Fingernails should not be cut on a Thursday.

If you hear a cat sneeze you are blessed with good luck.

A bride will accept cash to be danced with at her wedding. No credit cards, please.

It is polite to eat with forearms (not elbows) resting on the table.

It's considered rude to keep your hands in your lap at the dinner table.

When picking out fruit to buy in a supermarket, you must put on plastic gloves. They supply them free.
You must pay for plastic bags at supermarkets--usually 10 cents Euro.

After picking out produce in a supermarket, you must go to a sticker machine and punch in the number for that item, then put the sticker on your bag (which you will pay for later).

In restaurants, you may "own" your table for the entire evening.

Italian waiters won't bring the check until you ask for it, and then they aren't in a rush to get it to you.

Two Italian men walking arm in arm aren't necessarily gay, but are likely close friends or relatives.

In Italy you won't be able to find the end of a line because there isn't one.

Italians will point using all four fingers and consider pointing with one finger impolite.

A bar in Italy is more like a coffee shop or ice cream shop.

Most young Italian men claim, "sono Cattolico ma non pratico"--they are Catholic but don't go to church.

Restaurants don't open until after what Americans think of as dinner time.

Restaurants will charge you for bread, water, butter, the tablecloth, forks, knives and plates.

Italians rarely leave tips.

Italians never cut spaghetti but twirl.

You may drink safely from public fountains with faucets attached.

Texting while driving a car, taxi or scooter is acceptable and wide spread.

Everyone smokes. Everyone.

All unmarried Italian men and Mama's Boys and typically live with Mama until they get married.

Unlike the 10 or more children of our immigrant grandparents, Italians rarely have more than one child.

--Jerry Finzi

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