4 Italian Customs Americans Aren’t Used To ⚠️ - By Karen J.

 4 Italian Customs Americans Aren’t Used To

Here’s a look at four things you should know about before you travel to Italy and spend any amount of time with Italians, so that no one looks at you funny (or so you don’t flinch when someone tries to say hello to you).

1. Cheek Kisses

This one is fairly common knowledge , but it is something you should definitely be prepared for since it’s a lot different than our greetings in the U.S. If you are meeting or someone you have previously met (male or female), you almost always greet each other with an air kiss on each cheek. You do the same thing when you are saying goodbye, usually even if you just met them that day. But there are two caveats to this:

Usually, one kiss per cheek will suffice. But in some cities or regions, it may be customary to do multiple passes. 

2. Shoes in the House

Growing up in Kentucky (no jokes, now…), I hardly ever wore shoes around the house. Sometimes not even when I went out on the porch or in the backyard. I always went barefoot or wore socks, and no one said a word about it.

In Italy, though, this is oddly scandalous!

Italians always wear slippers/flip-flops/sandals/house shoes/etc. in the house. Always. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t going anywhere or no one else is going to see you. You wear shoes. If you don’t have a pair of leisure shoes, they will loan you some . And if you think socks are good enough, you’re wrong. So always pack some indoor shoes if you’re going to be staying with an Italian for an extended period of time, or prepare for a lot of fussing and frowning!

3. Drafts

In America, “getting some air” is often a recommendation for shortening or overcoming an illness. It’s like that in Italy too… except when it isn’t. For some reason that I have yet to discover, there are many Italians who believe that a “colpo d’aria” or a gust of wind will hit you and make you sick. It has apparently happened to my nIece before, and for that reason we always have to eat with the windows closed when he comes over.

In the summer it’s usually okay to feel a breeze, but if it’s a little cooler, shut those windows! Or, if you really want to keep the air at bay (or just want to leave the windows open), you could even put on a sweater. You might be hot, but at least you’ll be safe from the draft!

4. Birthday Coffee

One would think (well, an American one, at least) that if it’s your birthday, you’re the one who gets to be treated, right? In Italy, that’s not the case. If you’re in Italy and it’s your birthday, you are the one who has to buy coffee or drinks for everyone else. So you basically make your own party. (And also pay for it!)

But don’t worry, though: someone else will surely bake or buy you a cake and give you gifts. But that coffee is always on you.