This one’s pretty self-explanatory – it’s just plain rude.First, steer clear of political or religious opinions in general-this should go without saying.
Never put your feet or shoes on a table or a chair If you’re buying loose fresh fruit and veg, plastic gloves will be provided to handle it and you’d do well to use them if you don’t fancy being scowled at by old ladies.ġ0. They’re there to help after all, and have probably spent a fair while getting all those shirts folded and stacked so they look perfect. If you’re doing a bit of browsing and eyeing up something you’d like to buy (and it could be anything from cantaloupes to cashmere) it’s best to let the shopkeeper or sales assistant actually handle the wares. When you’re out shopping, keep your hands off the merchandise All that frothy milk makes it a breakfast drink – if you want to caffeinate like a true Italian, it has to be espressos all the way after that.ĩ.
And know the right time of day for a cappuccino! As far as Italian cooking is concerned, they’re two totally separate dishes.Ĩ. If you want to eat like a true Italian, the only acceptable meat on a pizza is pork (whether that’s ham, salami or salsicca is totally up to you) and you never eat chicken with pasta. It’s a culinary crime to mix fish and cheese in Italy, and you’ll even be on shaky ground asking for some parmesan on your pasta if the restaurant doesn’t provide it by default. You might now have the knowledge to avoid the scorn of pizzeria owners up and down the country, but if you want to earn the undying contempt of any true Italian, ask for some parmesan on your seafood pasta. Feeling adventurous? Just ask what the waiting staff recommend and enjoy the surprise – it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed. Instead of indulging in the kind of food that isn’t even exotic on a pub menu, do a bit of digging and find out what the true seasonal and regional stars are. Going around asking for spaghetti bolognese is just going to prompt tired, sad sighs from waiters and fellow restaurant goers alike, and the mere mention of a ham and pineapple pizza is likely to get you laughed at (or worse) in any self-respecting pizzeria. Think Italian food is just pizza and pasta? Think again. Know your onions – or your regional dishes, at least Not so in Italy! You’ll be left in peace to enjoy your meal and the company of your fellow diners until the plates need clearing, and unless you’re really pushing your luck after closing time you won’t get the bill until you’ve specifically asked for it.ĥ. There’s a tendency for waiting for staff the world over to think your dining experience isn’t complete if you’re not badgered every fifteen seconds to check on the quality of the food or if you’d like anything else. It’s important to relax and enjoy your meal… In a similar vein, don’t be offended if strangers are rather reserved with you at first – it’s actually more out of a formal politeness than unfriendliness.ģ. A good-natured good time isn’t going to be begrudged by anyone, but being overly loud, boorish, or (worst of all) overtly drunk is a surefire way to annoy the locals. Italy might be forever associated with gregarious hand gestures, but they belie the formality that’s at the heart of Italian socialising – or fare i complimenti, as it’s known there. And being a bit reserved won’t hurt either The North has always been seen as ‘richer’ than the South, and you’re certainly not going to win any friends by comparing the split to either side of the Watford Gap.Ģ. One that might be a little more obscure is the North – South divide in Italy, discussion on which can get pretty heated. Some are pretty obvious – Italians are very proud of their culture, cuisine and heritage, so speaking badly of any of them is a definite no-no, and people will think you’re an idiot if you even mention the mafia as a joke. A little tact and diplomacy will help you make friends and influence people wherever you are in the world, but as with everywhere there are a few topics that you’d do well to steer away from in Italy. OK, so this is one might sound like common sense, but it bears repeating.
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