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To start with, this should probably have a major subhead: “15 Strange Things Italians Do that are strange to Americans.” Because I’m sure they are not strange to any Italian or even other parts of the world. But to two Americans — well Paul was born here, so these are his observations after moving back to Italy — these are a few of the weird things we’ve noticed Italians do.
PLEASE NOTE: These are observations about Italians living IN ITALY, NOT Italian-Americans. A lot of folks seemed to be missing that point when this was first posted.
Know any others? Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget to share this with family and friends who might get a kick out of it.
1. They don’t like to wear seatbelts or use baby seats
Not sure if this is a macho thing? Or they believe it’s safer because you can, I don’t know, throw yourself from the car? Whatever the reason, some almost refuse to do it.
To keep the car from beeping at them, they will either buckle the seatbelt behind them in the car. Or, they will actually carry around an extra buckle, just a buckle with maybe a little strap on it, so they can put that in the latch to stop the car from beeping.
It is against the law and you will get a ticket if you are stopped, so don’t try this when visiting.
Is this only a southern thing? Small town thing? Let us know in the comments.
When it comes to the kids, the children will actually sit in mom or dad’s lap while they are driving. Sometimes while the parent is also on the phone driving a stick shift. I know they don’t all do it, but we have seen it enough times to say a lot of them do.
2. They throw litter out of the window of their car
This is definitely more a southern thing I think than northern. But littering here is just not looked at as a terrible thing like it is in the states.
I have watched someone literally clean out their car while driving down the road. Reaching down to throw out a plastic bottle, then some papers, etc.
3. They peel their fruit and vegetables
3. They peel their fruit and vegetablesYou will never see an Italian bite into an apple or pear unpeeled, even if it is washed. That sucker has to be peeled before it passes those lips!
The new rule in Italy is that when purchasing fruit in a market, the display has to say if the peel is edible. If it is organic, the peel is edible. Perhaps this will change things?
4. Italians will not “drive” in the passing lane
This is strange to us but it is CORRECT. The passing lane should only be for passing. And while Italians do drive fast and like maniacs, they do strictly adhere to this rule.
So if you are driving in Italy, don’t stick around in the left lane. Pass someone and get back into the right-hand lane. Otherwise, you’ll have a lot of Italian drivers honking and flashing their lights at you.
5. They never go outside with wet hair
It goes back to colpo d’aria, the thought that a hit of cold air will cause sudden death. OK. Not sudden death, but pretty much every other malady out there. It’s also why they won’t drive with a window down, hate fans blowing directly on them, and wear scarves a lot (see #10 below).
6. When entering a room in someone else’s home or a store, they say “hello”
You might have already greeted them at the gate. Or the room they are entering could be empty with the lights off.
Or the room they are entering could be empty, with the lights out, and not another person even around.
But when they enter the room, they will say, “Buon Giorno” or “Permesso?”
Polite? Probably. And just good manners. But to an American, it’s strange, especially when they say it to an empty room.
7. They rarely eat eggs for breakfast
Today, most Americans probably have more in common with Italians in this regard. Today, American’s will grab a bowl of cereal or a cereal bar before running out the door and aren’t usually cooking up a batch of eggs.
However, you won’t see an Italian scrambling up some eggs and bacon for breakfast, even on the weekend. Italians are pretty consistent in their concept of breakfast, which usually consists of a coffee and a pastry. That’s it.
8. Non-gay Italians of the same sex will walk arm in arm or hand in hand
Italians are very affectionate and not afraid of physical contact. Male friends will even horse around grabbing each other by the groin. Women will walk hand in hand down the street.
It’s actually refreshing to see. Why can’t we show more affection to even just friends?
9. They kiss hello and goodbye
Strangers, no. But after meeting someone once or twice, you almost always greet them with a kiss.
Remember, always start on the left cheek. So your left cheek against theirs. Then, move to right cheek against their right cheek. A little crisscross dance if you will.
Whether you actually touch cheeks, making kissing sounds, or actually kiss each other’s cheek is all sort of a personal preference.
10. They wear scarves a lot
This goes back a bit to the colpo d’aira thing, as Italians seem to get afflicted all the time with cervicale. As near as we can tell, it’s sort of a stiff neck or neck ailment.
Paul also thinks this has to do with a bit of national pride. They must accessorize and be stylish. It’s just part of being Italian. Which leads to point #11.
11. They always dress to go out
You will never, ever see a “people of Walmart” post in Italy. Mainly because there are no Walmarts, but also because they would never be caught dead outside the house in pajamas, torn shirt, sweats, workout clothes, or even a slightly worn t-shirt.
For the women, this can be especially true.
The guys are obsessive about their shoes, though. Even sneakers. If they buy a new pair of tennis shoes and they come to visit us in the country, if you want to go for a walk they must change their shoes first. A scuff would be a mortal sin.
There is nothing wrong with this, in fact, it’s good they want to look nice and put their best foot forward.
12. They cross themselves when they pass a church or anything religious
Even in the car when driving by a religious spot, you’ll see them make the sign of the cross (head, chest, shoulder, shoulder) in the car.
It almost becomes a habitual thing. Like looking both ways before crossing the street.
As with all these points, there’s nothing wrong with this. It’s just not something you see often in the states.
13. They can have weird store hours
Want a 24/7 deli or gas station? Good luck with that.
Want to pick something up at the store on your way home for lunch? If it’s after 1 PM, good luck with that.
As we’ve talked about in the past, especially in small towns, everyone goes home for lunch. So from 1-4 PM you won’t find much open except the big huge supermarkets or department stores.
But they also have weird days where everything in town is closed. It’s part of a guild system. For example, no restaurant in Terlizzi is open 7 days a week. Not a one. And I believe all but one are closed on Monday, and then that restaurant is closed on Tuesday when the rest reopen.
Also, on Thursday night, every fruit and vegetable vendor in closed.
Why doesn’t someone break ranks and open on Thursday? They’d make a killing! Maybe that’s the greedy American talking, but it is strange to me.
NOTE: I’m sure this is mostly only in very small towns.
Paul believes some of the reason for this, besides the guild rules, is that a lot of these shops are Mom and Pop stores and they don’t trust anyone else at the register. Some of it also a way to protect their way of life. Everyone wants some time off.
In the end, it’s actually a good thing. They are going home to eat with their family. They are taking time off to enjoy life. It’s something we could all learn to do more often, but again, it’s just strange to American’s used to such a 24/7 economy.
14. They don’t like to eat or drink anything to go
You will hardly ever see an Italian walking down the street with a cup of coffee. You will also never see them driving while eating a sandwich.
Even at a rest stop. They will order their sandwich, then eat it at either the counter or a table in the rest stop.
15. They may ask you what you had for lunch
It always comes back to food, doesn’t it?
When a friend stops by for coffee in the afternoon, invariably after a nice “hello” and “how are you doing,” they will ask you what you had for lunch.
It’s the strangest thing. Except when someone is talking about an amazing meal they had a restaurant, when have you ever in your life asked someone what they had for lunch?
Good thing we always take a picture of what we’re eating so we can show them!
So, how’d we do? Any other strange things Italians do that we missed? Let us know below in the comments. And don’t forget to share this post with family and friends with the share buttons below.
I saw some people in sweats today.
Yes, Tom, you do see some, especially the younger folks. And these again, are sweeping generalities meant to be taken for fun.
Some of these were true when I first moved to Italy 40 years ago, but no longer hold true. At least in my neck of the woods, specifically 1, 2, 13 and 15. Probably they’re more a Southern Italian, small town norm. But your reasoning is pretty spot-on.
Thanks, Helen!
Bravo! 100% correct, especially the colpo d’aria and bella figura observations.
Thanks, Roger. Some folks got pretty stirred up by this. It was all meant in good fun of course. Glad to someone agrees with them.
Some of these are comical but I know 1 Italian/American that does #12 religiously:)) No pun intended LOL
My dream is to move to Venice, Italy and live happy ever after. Then all my friends can come and visit me. Bet I woulda lot more friends. I live in Florida now:((
I’m glad you saw the humor in them, Janet! When you make it to Italy, look us up.
I have no idea which kind of Italians you ever met, but… Surprise surprise: we Do use seat belts since late ’80s, we definitely DO use car seats for our babies, we DON’T throw litter out of our car window, boys don’t hold their hands (you might be confused: Indians and Arab do it!), we definitely eat and drink to go (well, not American coffee!), and oh… Our “weird shop timing” are definitely weird! It’s because in our weird way of thinking, people should be allowed to rest at night and enjoy their families, unless working at night it’s strictly necessary. But, guess what: if you go, for example, to Austria, it’s much “worse” than in Italy!
Oh.. And no: we don’t always wear scarf! Somebody does, of course. Especially a couple of years ago: like it or not, it’s called “fashion”.
Like in every Country, we have the good and the bad. And I am sure and aware, out there, there are full of ineducate people who don’t lock their children or themselves up in the car or who throw their litter from the window. Can you swear that nobody does it in your country?
Hi Benedetta, sorry you got upset by this. It was really meant all in good fun. Of course not all Italians do all these things, and of course, some Americans do this as well. They are very big generalities meant to be taken in fun and not bash anyone. We LOVE Italians and Italy, so none of this was meant to put them in a bad light. I think if you listen to the podcast, you can see we were just having fun with it, and maybe some of that got lost in the show notes.
Wow…. she sure did get angry 🤣 I enjoyed it !
Thanks, Marlana!
I live in Sicily now. Very few people wear seat belts. No one puts their babies in car seats. And I’ve seen MANY people throw trash out of their cars. I saw a girl get out of her car and throw an entire bag of trash on the side of the road! The trash situation is horrendous, actually. It does happen in the states, but there is a HUGE fine if caught. It’s funny, the cultural differences. It’s what makes this planet interesting. 😊
Thanks, Jo!
I live in Naples, I had to beg our nanny to put our son in the car seat. And there is trash all over the sides of the road – I find it hilarious that they are so obsessive about sorting their trash and then just dump it on the highway.
Strange, right? Thanks for commenting, Eli!
At this point in time with so many refugees etc, I think it is generally unfair to assume Italians are the ones doing these awful things… I agree with Benedetta above… I lived two years in Italy and saw quite a few expats and foreigners doing things I don’t approve of… I’m also an Italian-American, and I do agree with the culturally and religiously ingrained respect for churches. I live in Kansas and still today cross myself passing a Catholic Church … I appreciate the Bella figure thing and the unaffected public display of affection
That’s a good point, Laura. You can’t assume that the litter is all caused by Italians. However, besides that point, I wouldn’t call any of the other points on the list “awful.” They are just different. But there’s certainly nothing awful about them.
Well it’s always fun to poke fun at other cultures, but at some level I agree with Benedetta. I get really tired of posts about the generalities of Italians. There are many regional differences aren’t there.
Totally understand, John. There are definitely LOTS of differences, that’s for sure. Maybe this should have been “strange things small town Puglians do?”
1) NOT true, I saw some babies out of their baby car seats but it’s very hard to see something like that and you would get in trouble with the police very soon. No one of my friends or relatives would drive without putting their kids in a safe seat. 2) it’s very hard to see someone throwing litter from their cars. 8) I never saw a man holding another man’s hand, sometimes they give the typical 2 kissed on their cheeks but nothing more.
Thanks for commenting, Ludovica. This is just some of the things we’ve seen. And of course, all parts of Italy are difference as others pointed out.
With respect to making the sign of the cross when passing a church I grew up in NYC and was taught to do so. I have recently reconstituted the practice. This is the explanation
Thanks for this, Francine.
I’ve seen this in Mexico as well.
That’s interesting, Robert.
I agree. I did/do too. Thank you, Francine Flood
We spent four wks driving through Sicily and never saw anyone throwing stuff out their windows. Plus saw very little garbage along the roadside.
That being written, everything else on the list I agree with.
Thanks for commenting, Grace. Of course, they are not true for every Italian everywhere. In Puglia, the trash problem is very well known. The national news even did a story on it.
Start with substituting all THEY’s and THEM’s by SOME and some (but only some) points partly hold true. The rest, I am sorry to say, sounds rather arrogant – if you really mean what you write. I hope not.
Hi Bruno, I did try to clarify many times that these were mostly the actions of a few and didn’t use a lot of absolutes. Sorry if you feel it was “arrogant,” as again, it was meant just to be observations of strange actions, just as I’m sure Italians find many things that Americans do as strange. In fact, while we might call them strange, you’ll notice I noted that a lot of these (like not driving in the passing lane) are actually correct or polite.
Some of these are very true, however the south does not like to be controlled by stopsigns or stoplights so they will blow these. Holding hands is not cool in Italy, the women walk sometimes arm in arm as Italians like to touch, feel, very affectionate. Here vs Italy when it comes to funerals a lot of the custom to wear black for years has changed except for the day of funeral. People still wake in the home or in the capella in a hospital but none of this funeral home exhibition where everybody starts talking, laughing in front of the casket like what is done in the states. Funerals there are solemn, respectful, no TV or radio in the home for a week… I speak of the south, as other traditions
Exist in the north.
Thanks for these, Joe.
Hi Steve. I guess I upset Anna but but these are solely observations that I
Personally expierence when I visit my relatives in the Southern Campagna region twice
a year. I love AlLL Italy and each region has a competitive view of each other
and I guess that is the nature of the Italians. It is rooted in History. Men saluting by touching each cheek exists throughout Italy.
Things change over time… When in Rome do as the Romans do! Remember the saying…however don’t expect an attractive woman to get a pinch on the butt cheek in Rome in old times unless you want a slap in the face… Customs have changed especially with the influx of refugees entering Italy by the Millions..
Thanks again, Joe.
Sorry you don’t know or understand Italians. I ask myself how many people do what you quoted?
I’m sure that you did see these thing but you have generalised too much. Customs, beliefs, culinary trend and traditions that’s how you can classify a population. Local habits and short standing trends give a false insight.
I agree, Anna. Italy is very diverse and these weren’t meant to say every Italian does them all. Just some of the strange ones we’ve seen here and there. I did try to clarify that, but maybe it just didn’t come through in the post. Thanks for commenting.
What is great about Italy is that every region is 100% different. Even the actual language. I’m from the Abruzzi region and if someone speaks to me from the north or the south, I will not understand a word they said. The Dialect in Italy is great. It’s like every little village created their own language and rules. So, the list above is different throughout Italy. Yes, all stores close at 1-4 but if you go to Rome or Sorrento (tourist places) they are all open. Yes we dont take food to go unless its a quick thing and we are walking in peace with no rushing but usually we like to eat without rushing and enjoying the food, the wine and espresso. Plus we drink Espresso not the HUGE coffee we all drink and drive with. The one with saying hi when we walking into someone home or room…well this is commen respect and not just an Italian thing..Who the hell would walk in a room and just not say hi to the person in the room or the house. It’s just being nice. And not all Italians dress to impress. Some Italians wake up and just run out of the house and they dont care how they look. That’s what is great about Italy, they dont care. Only family members and very close friends kiss hi and bye. Even if they met the person once or twice, they don’t. Again, only people that are close and family. Scarfs all the time? I ‘m not even going to say anything about this one as it’s so not true unless its in Dec-feb..dont we all wear scarfs during those cold months? The seat belts and car seats for the children is crazy…of course they do. Italians love their children and are strict like no other culture when it comes to their children and safety is #1 for them. Oh and you prob say kids like 16-25 driving with no seat belts..I did the same at that age. The list is ok, but there are soooo many other specific things to itailans than this list. This list is for any culture in Europe and even the states. For example, what is specific to Italians is “they make a feast of homemade pasta with meats every Sunday like it is a holiday and the entire family with kids get together and eat at 1:00 on the dot”. Its like a holiday ever Sunday. That is specific to Italy and 100% Italians.
Thanks, Gialuca. All of these are very good observations. These are show notes from a podcast, and if you hear on the podcast, we actually had more points, like the Sunday meal, to cover, but ran out of time. Italy is definitely very diverse, and these weren’t meant to say every Italian everywhere does these, but to show some of the things we’ve seen during our time here.
I’m sorry, but I cannot agree with Gialuca’s statement (paraphrasing here) that what is great about Italy is that Italians don’t care what they look like when they go out. First, I think just the opposite: What’s great about Italy is that most people care a great deal about what they look like when they leave their homes. Whether it’s ladies wearing high heels to walk on cobblestone streets, or gentlemen in linen blazers in the scorching heat of summer. Second, I think it’s the exception, not the rule, that some mostly younger Italians pay little attention to their attire outside the home. In many cases, it may be fashionable to look grungy, but in most cases, I think they care and try to achieve the look they desire. In a positive sense, they are quite vain.
I agree, Pasquale. It’s amazing how good the Italians look when they go out. I think it’s definitely a good thing!
I am Italian and I found this post funny 😉
Thanks, Silvia!
The most peculiar feature, unique to the Italians as far as I can tell: we talk about food (that we had or that we should try) while eating and enjoying an already fulfilling meal…
Very true, Clark!
more like small town close to napoli people haha
You are probably right, Gabriella.
Hi Steven, I’m Italian and I’d like you to know that an unique Italian culture doesn’t exist. Italy is a country composed of several regional cultures, and there’s a huge gap between the north and the south.
I’m from northern Italy, and MOST things you’ve written do NOT belong to us.
You talk about Terlizzi which is in the south, we Italians do all know they don’t respect a lot of rules, I can assure you that here in northern Italy we DO wear seatbelts and we DO use baby seats, and we do NOT throw litter out of the window of our car, I understand why Benedetta got so angry, you can’t talk about all Italians when you just know a group of us. She got angry because we DO respect law, wear seatblts, we use baby seats and we do NOT throw litter out of the window of our car, and it’s annoying to read that you don’t do such things when you actually do it.
Northern Italian men of the same sex do NOT will walk arm in arm or hand in hand.
Just Italian girls do it, and just girls, not women.
Men definetely do NOT do it.
Northern Italians NEVER ask you what you had for lunch. This habit is only and soley southern Italian.
In the Summers my husband and I ALWAYS drive with the window down. And we do blow directly on us air conditioning.
Not all of us wear scarves a lot…and I wear them because of fashion, not because I’m scared of cold. In my area I’m very used to extremely cold Winters.
We just greet with kiss on cheeks someone we did not see for a long time. When we meet our friends we see on regularly basis, we just say ”ciao”. No kissess, no hug.
We don’t cross ourselves when we pass a church or anything religious.
Store hours are based on our working time.
Here in the north our supermarkets are open from 9am to 9pm, so you can buy whenever you want.
You should think that the average Italian in the north works from 8am to 6pm or 7pm with a lunch break of an hour of half an hour. My husband, for example, doesn’t return home for lunch. He just has a sandwich at work.
Since most Italians are working in the afternoon, shops are almost empty, so the owners or shops close from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Housewives have supermarkets.
In northern Italy, shops are just closed on Monday morning, they never close on Thursday.
Hi Elena, thanks so much for your perspective. I think a lot got lost in the show notes here. These are show notes for our podcast. So if you listen to the podcast, you will see we make it very clear it is just our perspective living southern Italy. It is nice to hear about the north though.
I’m from new York and now I have been living in Italy for 6 years with my Italian husband and two little boys and let me tell you Italy is freaking insane…I agree with alot of the things you say..I was always told to just hold my baby in a car trip. ..a short trip and we live in the north….I think you only told like the 5% of how crazy Italian people are……like how everyone knows your business even the people who work at the store you go to….Italians are so rude when pointing out a flaw like a pimple or someones weight….
.men are very sexual in their jokes towards woman…..Italian woman are very rude to non Italian women who marry Italian menot. …Italian woman do not stop yelling when they start. Italy is run by communist people…..TV. ..famous people…news….all controlled by either mafia or communist…I like the free health care and the schools are great…a safe place for kids to grow up…but it is not a place for a NYC punk to feel comfortable in.
Thanks for your perspective, Dionna.
Italians always take things personally. ..you cannot be sarcastic….they all complain about not having jobs or enough money yet they have no problem showing up late to work and having a 3 hour lunch break…..they say so people can be with their families yet In Italy they offer 6 month to stay at home with your new baby also paying you…yet most of the women take pills to stop breastfeeding and go right to work while leaving their kids to the grand parents. ..which is another thing most small kids are raised by their grand parents so the parents can party ….Italians also live with their parents till forever usually taking over the house after their parents die..thankfully my husband had his own house for a while haha and my mother in law isn’t like they warn you about
Many of the stereotypes, (e.g. seatbelts and baby seats) are limited to southern Italians whether in the south or southern Italian immigrants in the north. Here in Tuscany, central Italy, everyone I know (and see) use seatbelts and babyseats. As far as men holding hands, that’s ridiculous, north or south, either they were gay or were Arab immigrants.
Thanks for your input, Fred. We did clarify a lot of these are based on our experience in Southern Italy. The hand holding we’ve seen are by Italian men, though more often it’s more just signs of affection, like arms around each other. Nothing wrong affection after all!
I loved reading these! So true! I’ve lived in Italy for 10 years now and could literally picture someone I know doing each of these things as I read the list hahaha! As for #1 I’ve heard down south they even sell t-shirts with a black diagonal line on them….looks like you’ve got your belt on that way!
Ha, Tracy. Never heard about the T-shirts or seen them, but that would be funny.
When I was young these were all true. Of course, at that time most of our grandparents and parents were from Italy so they brought these things to America and the traditions went on.
True, Sue. And some traditions definitely changed.
People get offended so easily these days it’s crazy. You are pointing out differences and that’s ok! Olive in Naples and agree with almost all of this for where I live. Little kids not being in car seats is real and the main thing I don’t like because I’m scared for my life every time I go out driving here haha. I’ll add that expecting to eat dinner before 7 at a restaurant because you’re too exhausted to make dinner is not likely to happen. 🙂
Very true, Mandie. Nothing is really open before 8 in a lot of places.
Point 13 – we close Thursday afternoons. The next closest comune to me closes Wednesday. Etc etc. It began when shops opened on Saturdays – this afternoon of shopping for the shop-owners is compensation for opening Saturdays. Everyone knows the roster, so if I need something urgently on Thursday I know I can get it at any of the neighbouring towns as close as 4 or 5 kms from me. It is important to know these towns, as we don’t all have every commodity. It works… as long as I remember to tell my guests!
Great point, Kay. I never thought of the afternoon being for the shopping of the shop owners. And we often had to remind guests of such closings!
My mother was from the North (Trieste), I remember seeing just about all the things you mentioned, maybe not throwing trash out the window, but everything else. I still cross myself when passing a church and kiss hello and goodbye. Great article…….I took it just the way you wrote it, with a sense of humor. 🙂
Thanks, Sergio! Was definitely meant to be taken with a sense of humor! As someone else said, just because it’s strange or different to us doesn’t make it “bad.” Just strange from another point of view.
Hi Steven!
Nice chart….showing up good and bad things italians do: point 1 and point 2 are definitely bad things and it won’t be easy to change them (fines will help!!!); i can tell you what’s behind point 3,5 and 6: we peel fruit because of the chemical products used worldwide (not only in italy) on fruits. We do eat unpeeled home-made fruit since we know what has been used to grow them up. Point 5: we care about our health….that’s all :); wet hair don’t kill and probably won’t generate a cold…but effects will be clear at the old age! ;); point 6: we don’t say hallo to enter an empty room…if we know the room is empty. We are not nuts (at least..not all of us!) But because we are polite…..
Thanks so much for your comments, Angelo. And no, you’re not all nuts at all!! Well, crazy in a good way!
Hi Steven.
I read all points and comments. I did not read the generosity of the Italians. How many people do volunteer and help each other. We have so many associations that do this, but nobody ever talks about it. It’s true we have the mafia, but there are so many courageous people trying to counter it at the risk of one’s life, and nobody ever talks about it either. I know of moms who after working all week and care for the children on Saturdays filled their cars with useful things and carried them to the borders with other countries where they closed the borders to give them immigrants blocked in those places. The Italians are not only mafioso, communist, ignorant, and all the worse that Dionna has said; they are also good people when they can help. I would recommend to Dionna that if she can no longer live in Italy to return to NY! Thank you
Italians do not like if if they see a child in the cold weather seasons, Early Spring, Fall and Winter without a hat or something to keep their little heads warm. My friend, who was stationed in Italy, took her kids out shopping in the late Fall one day. None of them had head coverings. Strangers literally came up and offered their own hats and tried to put them on the kids heads while scolding my friend, in Italian, saying, basically, what is wrong here? Don’t you cover up your kids heads? They’ll get sick if you don’t!
Hi Mary, this is so true. We have an American friend here who says the teachers and other mothers almost scream child abuse when she doesn’t have her child wrapped head to toe in 60-degree weather.
I lived in Rome for a year and found most of these accurate! Also, they are proabaly oblivious that they do these things too, or that they’re specific to theie culture. And like that lady are proud and wouldn’t want them pointed out!!
True, Andrea. And they were really meant to be taken all in good fun.
I’m half Italian (by descent) from New York, and some of these had me laughing. Here were some common sayings of my highly-educated 2nd-generation American father of Sicilian-Neapolitan descent: Don’t leave your hair wet, you’ll catch pneumonia. Never put the car window lower than the top of your ear, you’ll go deaf. It was nearly impossible to get him to wear a seat belt, and when he did he kept it so loose it wouldn’t have done any good, and he would keep leaning forward and twisting right and left like he felt imprisoned and was trying to escape, often honking the horn by accident in the process, then swerving the car. Also he always stayed in the right lane whenever possible (except for passing), which was definitely not the norm in New York. So thank you for the healthy laugh. None of the other things you mention were seen in my family or area. But didn’t you forget the most important of all? Once my mother held my father’s hands and arms still and challenged him to talk, and he couldn’t do it! All he could say was alright, c’mon, now let me talk.
Ha, Mike. That is true! That’s the old joke, “How do you get an Italian to stop talking? Tie his hands behind his back.”
Currently live south of Rome and am half Italian. You are spot on. To all the people getting huffy: no not every single Italian does these things, however in my experience and in my city they 100 percent do.
Thanks, Chiara. This was all meant in good fun, though some didn’t take it that way. Of course, there is a lot of generalizing. But we are glad you liked it.
Hi! I’m an Italian living in Italy, but I lived abroad for many years and I now look at Italy with “international” eyes 🙂
Many of the things you mentioned are quite true and contribute to the “reverse” culture shock Italians who have lived abroad experience when they come back.
Issues with safety belts and throwing rubbish out of the window are not so common in the north, but definitely still happening all too much throughout southern Italy.
I can add the following peculiar things you might experience in Italy
Payments in cash: many small shops and businesses do not accept cards at all or set a minimum purchase value around 20 euros if you want to pay by card. This includes fuel stations. You will always find desperate tourists trying to fill up rental cars near airports…
Being a few minutes late even for formal meetings is quite normal, in fact turning up more than 10 minutes early would be considered a bit rude.
People eat a lot but are rarely overweight! So let’s not demonize diets rich in carbs!
Bureaucracy is amazingly complicated. It is getting better on the paying tax front, but it is still absolutely daunting. When you’re not in a hurry it can actually be hilarious. Be ready to buy a stamp in a tobacco shop, make a payment at the post office, and book an appointment through the online portal of the police just to renew a passport. And it will take up to 3 months.
Most Italians love bitter flavours. This is something I missed when I was abroad. Bitter vegetables such as radicchio, come di rapa and catalogna are popular. Many people enjoy a bitter drink such as Crodino or chinotto as an aperitif before dinner or bitter liquors after dinner.
Bidets! Every Italian household will have at least one, in fact it is a legal requirement. This is kind of nice as it facilitates very high personal hygiene, which is a fairly healthy obsession in Italy. It does however require a lot of space and cleaning. Space-saving alternatives such as the “shattaf” douche are common throughout the rest of the Mediterranean world and in Asia, bit in Italy the law prescribes the bidet 🙂
Finally, in Italy people stare at people a lot. It is not actually considered rude. Everyone will get started a lot, it’s not about bring a pretty lady or a foreigner or anything really. People stare at people in on the bus, at the train station, in traffic, at the beach…and you’ll find people taking chairs out of the house so they can sit outside and stare at people. It’s fine, they don’t bite 🙂
Hi Lucia. Thanks for all this! We’ve experienced a lot of these as well!
this is all wrong me and my family don’t do these things.
Hi Elaina, thanks for your comment. Of course, not every Italian does these things, but as you can see from other’s comments it does happen a lot. It is all meant to be a list in good fun.
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