A Traveler’s Guide to Understanding Italian Culture

Italy is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world. It boasts a melting pot of gorgeous attractions, breathtaking scenery, and thousands of years of rich history. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Bel Paese or a seasoned regular, always remember the importance of understanding Italian culture.

When visiting a new country, think of it like being a guest in someone’s home – the last thing you want to do is offend anyone. Here, we’ll detail everything you need to know about Italian life and respecting and observing customs correctly. From proper greetings to food culture, restaurant etiquette, and everything in between, this guide has it all. Plus, we’ll throw in a few tips along the way.

Key Customs and Traditions for Visitors

Before you start your vacation, you’ll need to know some standard practices for navigating Italy and respecting the Italian lifestyle. So, whether you’re admiring some classical Roman architecture or visiting Italy’s finest restaurants, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Greetings

First things first – greetings. It’s important to acknowledge that greeting customs in Italy may differ from how they are back home. A general rule of thumb for visiting a new country is to familiarize yourself with the language. By learning just a few basic Italian phrases and following some of these simple rules, you’ll be good to go.

• When entering a shop or a restaurant, always greet. You can do this by saying Buongiorno, which means “Good morning” or “Good day,” or Buona sera, which means “Good afternoon” or “Good evening.”
• Similarly, when you leave a restaurant or a shop, say goodbye by saying Buona Giornata, meaning “Have a nice day,” or Grazie, meaning “Thank you.”
• When interacting with locals, always smile. Not only will that make you come across in a good light, but it’s also amicable, and who doesn’t respond well to a smile?
• When meeting someone for the first time, Italian people prefer to shake hands. Some people greet each other with two kisses, one on each cheek, but this is usually reserved for close friends, colleagues, or family.
• When you need to move past someone in a crowd, say the phrase Permesso, which roughly translates to “May I” or “Excuse me.” This is the most polite way to let others know you’d like to get by and can be helpful in a pinch, especially considering how crowded some of Italy’s attractions can get.

Churches and Religion

It’s no secret that religion has a strong influence in Italy. There are thousands of churches, each with its own character, stunning architecture, and brilliant Italian art inside. In fact, no trip is complete without at least visiting a few churches. Whether you’re visiting Rome’s best churches or the Renaissance cathedrals of Florence, you’ll want to keep in mind some of these tips.

• Always wear appropriate clothing when entering a church. That means covering up as necessary. Both men and women are expected to cover their shoulders and knees. While this may be different from your own country, it’s better to deal with minor discomfort for the sake of staying respectful.
• As a tip for women, wear a light maxi dress and keep a scarf, shawl, or cardigan with you to cover up as needed, even in summer.
• Don’t talk too loudly or take phone calls inside when visiting churches. Not only is the noise likely to disrupt ongoing services, but it’s also highly disrespectful.
• Churches are, first and foremost, public buildings and places of worship, so don’t interrupt people in prayer or interfere with religious ceremonies.
• Never take photos of the inside of churches if people are in prayer. While it may be tempting to take out your mobile phone and snap a few pictures of these gorgeous interiors, be respectful and allow them to worship in peace. 

Coffee and Bars

Another integral part of Italian culture is coffee. Like restaurants, coffee bars are one of those spots where locals go to meet up and socialize. Serving everything from Caffè lungo to Caffè shakerato, these bars are a must-visit, so here are some coffee customs to keep in mind.

• Italians don’t drink milky coffee, like a cappuccino, caffè latte, and caffè macchiato, after around 11:00 am. This is because of their beliefs about milk digestion – they basically believe that milk doesn’t agree with the body in the afternoon. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to order milky drinks after 11:00 am. You can, but don’t be surprised if you get curious looks.
• When ordering your coffee drink, you’ll start by ordering it at the cashier and paying for it. Then, you’ll take your receipt to the barista and tell them which coffee you’ve ordered.
• The same goes for ordering gelato. At a gelateria, you choose the size and flavor of gelato you’d like, pay for it, and then hand the receipt to another server to prepare your order.
• If you decide to sip on your coffee or eat your gelato outside in a piazza, the prices can be much more expensive. This is because you’ll be served by waiting staff instead of the cashiers. In Piazza San Marco, for example, you might find yourself paying as much as €8 for a coffee, but it’s all worth it for the gorgeous architecture and views. In the end, remember that this is how things are done, and you’re not getting ripped off!

Tipping Culture

Many people, particularly those accustomed to American culture, might be used to giving service providers large tips, but is that the same for Italy? No, not really, but it is common practice to want to show your appreciation for fantastic service, whether that be from a waiter or a tour guide. Have a look at exactly how you can go about tipping them the right way.

• Unlike the United States or other countries outside of Europe, large tips aren’t expected or common practice in Italy. That said, you are welcome to give your servers a decent tip if you’ve received particularly good service.
• At restaurants, Italians would usually give tips by rounding up the bill to the nearest €5 or €10, depending on the bill’s total cost. However, it’s entirely up to you and what you can or want to give. Nobody is going to judge you for how much you tip.
• Tipping is accepted in all different types of restaurants but is more common in high-end ones.
• If you’re in very tourist-heavy areas, like Rome, Amalfi Coast, or Venice, you may find that some more inauthentic cultural habits have snuck in. There have been some cases of tourists being asked to give tips directly. If this happens, you can politely decline by saying Non, grazie, meaning “No, thank you.”

Italian Food and Restaurants

Next up, there are some things you should know about general food culture and how to conduct yourself while in Italy. Whether visiting markets to buy some fresh bruschetta and olive oil or eating at popular restaurants to try some Italian cuisine, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• When visiting a local market, never touch the produce. For example, you may want to touch the fruit to check if it’s ripe, but this is a no-go. Vendors in Italy are there to help you choose the best fruit or vegetable for whatever you need. They will likely ask what you intend to use it for, perhaps for a tomato sauce, so they can give you tomatoes with the right ripeness.
• Eating and walking at the same time is considered a little strange in Italy, so it’s best to have a seat somewhere and avoid weird glances. Although, this doesn’t apply to gelato. It’s not uncommon to see people on a passeggiata with a nice cone or cup of gelato in hand.
• Proper dining etiquette is essential when visiting a restaurant. One aspect of this is waiting until everybody else at the table is seated and has their meal in front of them before eating.
• Also, you should say Buon appetito, which means “Enjoy your meal,” before eating.
• You don’t need to order a three-course meal when visiting a restaurant. It’s completely okay to simply order a primi or a pasta dish.
• If you don’t finish your meal at a restaurant, remember that taking home leftovers isn’t common practice in Italy. In fact, it’s almost unheard of. One of the main reasons for this is that taking leftovers with you will alter the original dish and can affect the quality of a chef’s food.
• If you order take-out at places that offer it, learn the rules about eating outdoors in particular areas. It’s forbidden to sit down at all in certain churches or on some steps or popular attractions, like Trevi Fountain or the Spanish Steps in Rome. The bar or restaurant where you buy your take-out will usually have some high tables and chairs where you can eat.

Visiting Tourist Sites

Visiting Italy’s main attractions is a must for any tourist, there’s no doubt. The most important thing is to remember to conduct yourself in a helpful and respectful way to everyone around you. At the end of the day, they are all just trying to enjoy these sites, just like you.

• Make sure you follow any set of rules when visiting an attraction, as this shows respect for the locals who are kind enough to let tourists explore their beautiful country.
• Be patient. When visiting popular attractions and public buildings, like the Colosseum in Rome or the Doge’s Palace, you’ll likely have to wait in long lines just to reach the attraction. That is unless you have a private tour or skip-the-line entry already booked. Even so, it’s good practice to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes before your allocated tour slot.
• Mind your manners. This is pretty straightforward, but there is no excuse for interrupting someone when they’re speaking or being rude. So, allow the tour guides to speak and impart their knowledge about the site before asking questions or making comments.
• Be aware of the space you’re taking up. With the large number of tourists in Italy at any given time, it gets extremely busy. You don’t want to be standing in the middle of a pathway or entrance and blocking others from walking by as they go about their day.

Public Transportation

If you’re not eager to rent a car in Italy, you’ll have to opt for public transport. Now, public transportation in Italy can seem daunting to navigate and confusing. However, as long as you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be fine.

• When traveling on intercity high-speed trains, try your best to get your luggage in the overhead storage. There isn’t a lot of space in the actual carriage itself, so try to limit traveling with large amounts of luggage.
• If you do travel with large luggage, try booking a business class ticket instead. It costs a few extra Euros, but there will be a bit more space to store the luggage at ground level near you.

• Arrive at the correct station a few minutes before your departure and board the right carriage that’s shown on your ticket. If you board the wrong carriage, you’ll have to carry your luggage through multiple compartments, which will likely frustrate some people. Keep in mind that many Italians are using public transport in their daily life, and we don’t want to disrupt them.
• Always sit in the allocated seat shown on your ticket. If you really want to change seats, do so after your ticket has been checked and validated with a time stamp. However, consider that others may not agree to swap seats.
• Validate your ticket when using public transport. This applies to all modes of transport, including trains, trams, and buses. You can do this at the station or once you enter the vehicle. If you don’t validate your ticket, it may lead to fines or difficulty when ticket inspectors come around.

Photos

Finally, a note on photography. It’s no secret that Italy is known for its brilliant attractions, architecture, and scenery, from the grand Teatro alla Scala, or La Scala opera house, to the colorful houses on the Amalfi Coast. Naturally, you’ll want plenty of photos to capture memories from your trip. Here are a few ways to get the best pictures possible while still being respectful to those around you.

• To get the perfect shot of popular attractions, it’s best to avoid the crowds as much as possible. In this case, it’s recommended to arrive at 07:00 am or earlier, before the crowds really start forming. This way, you’ll be able to take your time.
• If you arrive later, you’ll be limited in how long you can pose in front of popular attractions, probably by a minute or two. Everyone is waiting for an opportunity to get a photo, so don’t make others wait around for ten minutes before they get their turn.
• Never take photos of people without their permission, particularly the elderly or children. This is just a common courtesy, so if your photo will include them in the frame, politely ask for permission first.

Understanding Italy’s Culture – Wrapped Up

Whether you’re there to try a city’s most popular dishes or admire famous Italian art in the country’s countless museums and churches, knowing local traditions and customs is essential.

Now that you know these basic guidelines, you can travel through this amazing country in the most polite and respectful way while locals simply go about daily life.

But before setting off to embrace la dolce vita, consider having a quick look at some of these common travel mistakes that travelers make in Italy and learn how to avoid them.

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