Italian Life – The Culture, Traditions and Habits in Italy
It has been a little more than a decade since I left the good old USA for the Italian life. Incredibly, I have been recognized as an Italian citizen for eight years now. I still distinctly remember the day that I received my Italian passport. It was one of the most memorable and emotional moments in my life. Many of you have been asking me what it is like living in Italy and being an Italian citizen. Others have been telling me that I am living their Italian dream. I must admit that the Italian life can be quite amazing. However, many cultural, traditional, and habitual differences can make adjusting to Italian life a bit of a challenge.
It goes without saying that when you live in Italy, you should do your best to adapt to its customs. Afterall, it is your choice to be there, and you should whole-heartedly try to assimilate into your environment. Of course, the first thing you should do is learn to speak Italian. Also, refrain from always talking about the way you do things back home. If Italians are curious about your country’s customs, they will ask you about them.
#Italian life and culture can be quite amazing! Share on XItalian Life and Two Big Culture Differences
First of all, living in Italy is quite laid back. There is a delicate balance between work, family and social life. However, things tend to move at a very slow pace. One of the most difficult things to get used to was the “pausa” or midday break. Everything shuts down in the middle of the day for three or four hours making it very challenging to accomplish daily tasks. In my American life, I often used my lunch break to go to the bank, run errands, or go shopping. In my Italian life, I eat lunch, relax, and spend time with friends. It took some getting used to not continuously multi-tasking. In the end, I have figured out how to slow down and still get everything done.
Also, going out for dinner in the “Bel paese” carries with it a few quirks. I noticed this the first time during a visit to Italy. Keep in mind; most Italians eat dinner around 9:00 pm. A social night eating out with friends and family can be a 3-hour affair. It is not unusual to see children running around the restaurants, while the adults eat and socialize. Strangely, I have never been to an Italian restaurant that does not have at least one TV in the dining room. The programs are usually the soccer match, variety shows, or talk shows broadcast at maximum volume. Finally, Italians love karaoke. Don’t be surprised when someone steps up to the microphone and belts out a tune.
Distinct Italian Drinking Traditions
Drinking etiquette in Italy is quite complicated. There are some unspoken rules that you should follow. First and foremost, you should wait until everyone has a drink in front of them to make a toast. After you raise your glass and say “salute” you can take your first sip. Remember, when you lift your glass, you must touch the glass of each person while looking them in the eye. You must not cross over two individuals who are in the act of touching glasses and making eye contact. Only raise your glass if it contains an alcoholic beverage. Finally, if drinking out of plastic cups, you should not let the plastic touch. Rather, you should hold your cup up and pat the back of each other’s hands.
Italian life would not be the same without a frothy cup of cappuccino in the morning. Notice, that cappuccino is a morning beverage. Italians take their coffee as serious as they take their food. I would have to write another blog post to explain all the intricacies of the Italian coffee culture. On average, an Italian drinks four or five cups a day. In addition to the morning cappuccino, it is common to have an espresso after lunch and dinner too. Also, midmorning or midday one might order a “macchiato.” It is an espresso with a drop of milk added.
Curious Italian Habits That Take Some Getting Used to
I must confess, that I have never owned a scarf in my life until I a moved to Italy. Now, I have many scarves in a rainbow of colors for every season. There is always one stashed somewhere in my car and my purse. Oddly, Italians are intimidated by the wind and what might happen if it hits the back of their neck. They believe that you will subject yourself to getting a sore throat, stiff neck, or even a fever. If you see a man strolling down the beach in July with his shirt collar popped up while visiting Italy, you have to ask yourself, is it fashion or is it the wind?
In Italy, your personal space shrinks. Perhaps, Italians are used to living in tighter quarters, or they are accustomed to crowded public places. Remember, because of the “pausa” everyone is trying to squeeze their errands in at the same time. For example, at the supermarket, the person in line behind you may lean on your cart. Also, when you go to a friends house for dinner, you might find ten people squeezed in around a dinner table for six.
These are just a few of the things that I have adapted to in my Italian life. At first, they seemed very odd. However, the more time that I spend here in Italy, the more I understand and appreciate the Italian culture and how it differs from my Italian-American upbringing. Although Italian culture is in my DNA, for some of the traditions and habits I needed a little adjustment. What is the strangest Italian habit that you know? Leave a comment below.
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Your blog is spot on. One curiosity I just learned about is how Italian culture isn’t left behind when they visit the US. My ancestral in-laws are visiting New York and they … brought their coffee and a coffee maker with them!
Ciao Lucia, Thank you for weighing in and sharing your thoughts on Italian culture. I understand your ancestral in-law’s plight. Once upon a time, I too returned to the USA for a visit with Italian coffee and a coffee maker! Did they bring vacuum packed meats and cheeses too? Have you had the chance to visit with them?
Ah, Laura, maybe there are regional differences because in my long life i have never, ever had the salute experience you describe. Sharing a glass of wine sounds more like hard work than pleasure, so I’m thankful I haven’t bumped into that crowd…yet. Ciao. Sono Veneta.
Ciao, Maria Grazia, There are most certainly regional differences. Sharing a good glass of wine is always a pleasure, no matter which of the 20 regions you might find yourself. Perhaps one day we may have the chance to raise a glass together here in Italy.
I’m 100% Italian-American on both sides. Lived and worked seven years in Rome. Have family in Castel di Sangro. Done the family genealogy back to mid-1800s.
Some quirks: Never put cheese on fish. Never drink wine without something to eat, however small the plate might be. Do not eat pasta as your main course. Know that salame refers to meat that is eaten cold, salsiccia (sausage) is eaten hot. Do not ask for pepperoni on your pizza and expect to see small discs of meat. Pepperoni are peppers, not meat. Avoid restaurants with a large Tourist Menu outside that’s written in six languages.
Do not ask for a take-home bag for restaurant leftovers. It is considered an insult to the chef that you think his made-to-order meal will be as good when re-heated in your kitchen a day later. And more important, it labels you as cheap because you cannot afford the next days’ meal, and someone who does not understand quality food.
Always wear the best quality clothing, shoes, and handbags you can afford. Better two of the best than five on the cheap. The country of Michelangelo, Valentino, and Bottega Veneta does not appreciate cheap. And they are always judging.
Walk boldly across the “zebra stripes” to cross the street. Drivers see you and will adjust their speed to avoid you. If you hesitate mid-crossing you throw off their timing and might cause an accident.
Do not put ice in your wine.
And so much more!
Marianne, the list goes on, great quirky contributions!
Here comes the usual misunderstanding about “italians” like they are all the same. In Italy each single town has got its own dialect, traditions, food, etc. Major cities have been at war to each other for centuries. Even the italian national language did not exist until 150 years ago, when Italy was unified and uneducated people from different areas of Italy needed an interpreter.
The most common mistake is to think of “Italians” like people from the South, that is the native place of most immigrants who came to New York at the beginning of ‘900 and those stereotypes you see on movies ant tv shows.