7 Things That Scream "Foreigner" in Italy
Want to blend in with the locals on your next trip to Italy? Discover 7 common tourist mistakes, from ordering cappuccino after lunch to tipping too much.
Every country has its own unwritten rules, and Italy is no exception!
When you visit Italy and you want to act like a local, pay attention to small everyday habits that can instantly show that you're a tourist! The real dolce vita lifestyle is often so far from the stereotype.
Here are 7 things that tourists do and they scream "foreigner" in Italy!
1. Ordering Cappuccino after 12 PM ☕
Italians usually have a cappuccino for breakfast or during the morning. Ordering one after lunch or dinner (or during a meal) is one of the most common habits of a tourist who wants to act like a local. In addiction, for some Italians it is very strange to order a cappuccino when eating something savory (this is certainly more tolerated if it is at breakfast
2. Cutting spaghetti with a knife 🍝
Spaghetti is the most popular type of pasta all around the world, but there is a simple rule that you have to respect if you want to act like a local: twirl them on your fork! Cutting long pasta is considered a true culinary crime in Italian homes.
If you do it, make sure no Italian grandmother is looking at you!
3. Eating dinner at 6:00 PM 🍽️
Italian people usually don’t eat before 7:30 PM. In fact, if you visit Italy for your holiday, you’ll discover that most restaurant kitchens open at 7:30 PM and close around 11:00 PM. If you want to eat earlier, you'll need to find a restaurant with a kitchen open all day, but pay attention! These kinds of restaurants are often tourist traps, and the food isn't as good.
4. Parmesan on seafood 🦞❌ 🧀
Please, if you order seafood spaghetti or risotto, don’t put parmesan on it! In traditional Italian cuisine, cheese and fish belong on separate planets, and mixing them is considered a food crime!
5. Walking in flip-flops far from the beach 🩴
Unless your feet are literally touching the sand, flip-flops are to be avoided when going out. Italian people consider flip-flops very informal footwear, so if you go out for dinner or an aperitivo with Italian friends, choose a different look! Italians prefer sandals or light sneakers for walking around the city.
6. Looking for "Fettuccine Alfredo" 🍝🧀
Even though Fettuccine Alfredo is famous all over the world, it is practically unknown in Italy! It isn't a dish that belongs to our traditional cuisine. For Italians, it's simply basic home-cooked pasta with butter and Parmesan.
7. Leaving a 20% tip 💰
Tipping is never mandatory in Italy, and locals usually don't leave large tips. At a restaurant, you'll notice that service and the cover charge (coperto) are usually included in the bill, typically around 2 or 3 euros per person.
Italians leave tips only if they are particularly satisfied with the service and food :)
👩🏻🏫 Teacher's Tip 👩🏻🏫
Don't worry if you make any of these "mistakes"!
Italians are super welcoming and will love that you're trying!
Learning these small cultural details is just a fun way to feel a bit more like a local and enjoy the true dolce vita far from the stereotypes.
Still curious guys? Let's book a free trial lesson to discover all secrets to not act as a foreigner during your Italian holiday!
