14 things you should NEVER DO in Italy | Easy Italian 30
TLDRThis Italian cultural guide offers 14 essential tips for visitors to avoid being recognized as tourists. Learn when to use formal greetings, how to order coffee correctly, and why cappuccinos are a breakfast-only beverage. Discover the Italian preference for sweet breakfasts, the unwritten rules against pairing certain foods like cheese with fish, and the importance of enjoying meals and drinks in moderation. The video also highlights the social faux pas of sharing pizza and the controversy of pineapple as a pizza topping. It emphasizes the Italian customs of kissing on greetings and the art of enjoying life's simple pleasures with friends.
Takeaways
- 🙋♂️ Italians value social rules and following certain etiquette can help you blend in rather than stand out as a tourist.
- 🇮🇹 'Ciao' is an informal greeting in Italy and it's not always appropriate for all situations; formal greetings like 'buongiorno' and 'buonasera' are used in more formal settings.
- ☕ When ordering coffee in Italy, be specific. 'Caffè' refers to an espresso, 'latte' means just milk, and 'latte macchiato' is what you want if you're looking for coffee with milk.
- 🥛 Italians typically have cappuccino only at breakfast and it's not common to order it after midday.
- 🍳 Breakfast in Italy is usually sweet, consisting of coffee or cappuccino and a sweet pastry like a brioche, unlike the savory breakfasts common in other countries.
- 🧀 Avoid pairing cheese with fish in Italy, as it's considered a culinary faux pas, unless you're at a high-end restaurant where the rules might be intentionally broken for creativity.
- 🍷 Italians enjoy wine with meals but generally drink in moderation and rarely get drunk.
- 🍹 Avoid sweet drinks or complex cocktails with meals in Italy; wine or beer are preferred.
- 💧 Tap water is not commonly served in Italy, and it's often necessary to purchase bottled water.
- 🍕 Sharing a pizza is considered unthinkable in Italy, akin to sharing a beer with an English person. Italians prefer to have their own pizza and eat it whole.
- 🍍 Pineapple on pizza, or 'ananas', is generally frowned upon in Italy, although some restaurants and pizzerias may offer it.
Q & A
What is the informal way of greeting in Italy and when might it not be appropriate?
-The informal way of greeting in Italy is 'ciao'. However, it is not always suitable for all situations. For example, when entering a bar or restaurant and not knowing the waiters, it's better to use the formal greetings 'buongiorno', 'di giorno', and 'buonasera'.
What is the difference between 'caffè' and 'caffè latte' in Italy?
-In Italy, 'caffè' refers to a regular coffee, which is an espresso, very short and strong. To get a coffee with milk, you should ask for a 'caffè latte' or 'latte macchiato'. A 'caffè americano' is a longer coffee with water added.
Why is it unusual for Italians to have a cappuccino after midday?
-In Italy, a cappuccino is seen as a breakfast item. Italians do not usually have a cappuccino after midday, as it is considered too milky for later in the day.
What is a common breakfast in Italy and why does it differ from other breakfasts?
-A common Italian breakfast consists of a sweet coffee, like a cappuccino, and a sweet pastry like a brioche. It is typically not as abundant as other breakfasts and is sweet rather than savory.
Why should you not put Parmigiano cheese on fish in Italy?
-In Italy, there are many food pairing rules, and one of the most serious mistakes is putting Parmigiano cheese on fish. This is not done unless it's in a two-star restaurant where they intentionally break the rules to be avant-garde.
What is the preferred drink to accompany a meal in Italy?
-Italians usually prefer wine or beer with their meals. They avoid sweet drinks or overly complex ones like cocktails. A common choice is a glass of wine or Prosecco, but never a spritz.
Why might you not find tap water available in Italy?
-Tap water in Italy is often not available in restaurants. When asked for tap water, you might be told 'no'. Instead, you usually have to buy bottled water.
What is the typical Italian practice after a meal regarding coffee?
-After meals, Italians often have coffee, sometimes espresso or macchiato with a drop of milk, but never a cappuccino. The coffee is always very short, almost like a shot that's been stained with milk.
Why is it considered bad manners for Italians to eat or drink while walking on the street?
-Eating or drinking while walking on the street is rare for Italians. Food and drink are considered sacred and require the right time and attention, often enjoyed while sitting with friends.
Why is sharing a pizza considered unthinkable for Italians?
-Sharing a pizza is inconceivable for Italians. Having a whole pizza with crusts and eating it all is like achieving a goal, and not being able to finish it or having to cut it is considered a great suffering.
What is the Italian stance on pineapple as a pizza topping?
-While some restaurants and pizzerias in Italy may start putting pineapple on pizza, it is generally not an accepted topping in Italy, as it would be equivalent to putting ketchup on pizza.
What is the Italian approach to drinking alcohol with meals?
-Italians are masters of moderation. There is no such thing as a double espresso, and when they drink, they do it for the pleasure of it, often with a glass of wine with every meal, but they rarely get drunk.
How do Italians typically greet each other with kisses?
-When Italians greet each other, whether they just meet or are parting, they often give two kisses. The first kiss is always in the same direction, starting with the right cheek, then moving to the left to avoid a potentially awkward situation.
Outlines
🇮🇹 Social Etiquette and Coffee Culture in Italy
Italians are generally very calm, but they take certain social rules seriously to avoid being recognized as tourists. Key points include using formal greetings like 'buongiorno' and 'buonasera' instead of the informal 'ciao' in settings like bars or restaurants. When ordering coffee, it's important to know that 'latte' means milk, and to get coffee with milk, one must ask for 'latte macchiato'. The standard coffee is a short, strong espresso, while for a longer coffee, one should ask for 'caffè americano'. Cappuccino is typically a breakfast drink, not consumed after noon. Italians prefer simpler beverages like wine or beer with meals, avoiding sweet or complex drinks. Additionally, certain food combinations are frowned upon, such as adding cheese to fish dishes.
💧 Water, Coffee, and Pizza Etiquette
In Italy, it's common to buy bottled water, as tap water is often not available in restaurants. After meals, Italians frequently enjoy a short espresso, sometimes macchiato with a drop of milk, but never a cappuccino, which contains too much milk for after meals. Eating and drinking are considered sacred activities that require time and attention, usually enjoyed sitting with friends. Italians avoid eating or drinking while walking. Sharing pizza is also unusual; each person prefers to have their own pizza. Ananas (pineapple) on pizza is largely frowned upon, although some places have started to offer it. Italians drink moderately and rarely get drunk, often enjoying a glass of wine with meals. The traditional way of greeting involves two kisses on the cheeks, starting with the right cheek.
🎥 Fun and Light-hearted Italian Cultural Observations
The video takes a playful approach to Italian cultural norms, emphasizing how Italians are generally very friendly, even when social rules are broken. It humorously reassures that no one is harmed in the making of such cultural observations and that Italians are understanding and easygoing despite their social etiquette.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Italians
💡Greetings
💡Cappuccino
💡Coffee
💡Breakfast
💡Parmigiano
💡Drinks
💡Pizza
💡Moderation
💡Kisses
💡Social Rules
Highlights
Italians are usually very calm but take some social rules seriously.
Avoid using 'ciao' in formal situations; use 'buongiorno', 'di giorno', and 'buonasera' instead.
In Italy, 'latte' means milk, so 'caffè latte' is ordered for coffee with milk.
A regular coffee in Italy is an espresso, and for a longer coffee, order an 'americano'.
Italians view cappuccino as a breakfast item and do not have it after midday.
Italian breakfasts are typically sweet, often consisting of coffee and a sweet bun.
Avoid putting Parmesan cheese on fish, as it is a culinary faux pas in Italy.
Italians prefer simple drinks like wine or beer with meals, avoiding sweet or complex cocktails.
Tap water is not commonly available in Italy, and bottled water is often the only option.
After meals, Italians often have a short coffee, never a cappuccino.
Eating or drinking while walking is rare in Italy, as it is considered sacred.
Sharing a pizza is unthinkable for Italians; it's like sharing a beer for an English person.
Avoid pineapple on pizza, as it's not a traditional Italian topping.
Italians are masters of moderation; double espressos don't exist, and they rarely get drunk.
Italians usually give two kisses when greeting or saying goodbye, alternating cheeks.
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The video humorously addresses Italian social and culinary customs without causing offense.
Transcripts
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