I lived in Italy for 3 weeks through a study abroad program back in 2012. Traveled to Florence, Venice, and Rome, returning during the week to our classes in Cathedral’s and the oldest college in Europe, and fourth oldest in the world; the University of Bologna, Italy. Those three weeks flew by but some trips are so engraved into your mind and memories that there is no forgetting a single back street, building, or cappuccino. Thinking back on this trip (often) there were some things I wish I had known and some things I learned while in Italy. With emails lately asking about Italy I thought it helpful to share some of those things. So here are the 6 things (I think) you should know before traveling to Italy.
1. Your waiter is not being rude.
Food is their heart, it is their soul, the chef will personally come to your table and watch you take your first bite just to make sure it’s perfect. Dinner is a time for talking, wine drinking, and food sharing. The waiter will not come back often like in America. In fact you probably won’t see them from the time they deliver your food, until they are clearing your plates and asking about coffee and dessert. The check will not be hovering at the end of your table either until you specifically ask for it. Your waiter is not being rude, he is letting you enjoy your meal and conversation. Once you sit down, that is your table. There is no rushing for table turn-over. Enjoy your meal, enjoy your time, enjoy your company.
2. Taking home left overs is like a restaurant mortal sin.
Italians don’t use take out boxes. One night we asked for take out boxes and our waiter left, went down the street, bought boxes, and returned. He then proceeded to ask what was wrong with the food and why we did not like it or finish it. I felt like a child disappointing mama for not finishing my meal. Guilt really set in when we started noticing all the waiters stare at us from the kitchen, boxing up our meals like food criminals. Long story short, eat until you can’t. Leave the rest.
3. EVERYTHING shuts down around noon.
Plan to buy lunches or snacks early because by the time you get hungry, nothing will be open. SIIIIEEEEESTA!!…ends in hunger.
4. You’ve probably heard it a million times but it’s true…watch you purse/bag.
We not only experienced one of our girls missing her money, passport, and phone after a stranger hugged her, but gypsies dancing around us shaking coins in our face (and not the stylish hippy gypsies you might be picturing); children surrounding us in a piazza trying to pick pocket, and a young women pretending to be old to get close enough to snag your purse and run. Keep your bag small and keep it in front of you, and one coin to one child will turn into a bombarding frenzy so try and refrain.
5. Explore your surroundings.
Wander down the tiniest streets, step foot into the tiny stores and find the hidden basement restaurants. I promise you they will be the best finds and experiences you’ll have. My two friends and I wandered down streets until we found a little restaurant packed with locals. While we did get a few “they’re tourists” stares, we were still happily lead into the basement packed restaurant with some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. Not only did the menu change nightly, and locals claimed this place as their favorite, but the community tables let us meet some amazing people willing to share wine and site seeing tips.
6. Learn some Italian.
Heading to Italy in a month? A week? Tomorrow? Use the flight time to learn some Italian words and phrases. It is Italy, they speak Italian, they should not learn to speak english as most American’s would expect. Don’t be the obvious tourist who gets angry and starts to speak louder because he can’t fathom that they can’t speak english. Think about how much you would appreciate a tourist learning basic english phrases to help get the conversation rolling. Here are a few to start out:
Prendo (I’ll have) tre birre, un caffè, una pizza etc.
Per favore, Grazie (please, thankyou) Un tavolo per due (a table for two)
Non parlo italiano (I don’t speak italian)
Parla inglese? (Do you speak english)
Extra #7. (photo at the top) If you carry an apple in your purse and pose for a photo with the horses in front of the Colosseum…they will smell the apple…and they will go for it.
These are just a few knows before you head off to Italy. Eat a lot, dine with wine, wander the streets, and make friends. Enjoy your trip!
