By Alice Alves Pinho Joazeiro. Cover Monet pizza garden is a paradise for pizza lovers, AI artwork made with Deep Dream Generator.
Italians can be really nice and kind, but if you get your coffee order wrong, be ready for the harshest looks you’ve ever seen. They get so many tourists who have no respect for their culture and don’t bother learning more than just “ciao” that, when they spot one, they can easily get annoyed. So, here are some valuable tips on how not to act like a tourist: follow them and dive into the local way of life.
Shop Like a Local: Go Beyond Tourist Traps
There’s no way to live like an Italian if you don’t shop like one. From coffee shops to clothing stores, forget Zara and caramel iced lattes from Starbucks. Instead, seek out small, family-run shops and markets where locals actually shop (they’re probably not on the internet, but we have a few Florence guides). Exploring artisan markets and local boutiques will give you a much deeper experience of Italy’s authentic lifestyle.
Aperitivo at 6 pm: Italy’s Iconic Ritual
If you want to make Italian friends and invite them out, never suggest dinner at 5, 6, or even 7 pm. In Italy, this time is reserved for aperitivo—a pre-dinner ritual involving drinks (usually Aperol Spritz) and snacks at the bar. Dinner typically starts no earlier than 7:30 or 8 pm. So, if you really want to impress, invite them for an aperitivo first!
PS: in Italy, 5pm is the same as 17h, 6 as 18h and so it goes.
Pasta and Pizza Rules: What Locals Really Do
Italy is known for its excellent culinary, especially when it comes to these two carbs. For this reason, they get seriously offended if you don’t eat it in the way they made it for. It’s like you’re not appreciating the dish properly, and for them it’s like a form of “disrespect”. That means: never asking for ketchup, no cheese in a seafood dish, no cutting your pasta with a knife and no sharing your pizza.
How to Dress in Italy Without Looking Like a Tourist
If you’re visiting Italy in late September, the weather can still be warm, but it’s starting to cool down, especially in the evenings. Beachwear like shorts is still fine for coastal towns such as Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast during the day, but it’s best to carry a light jacket or shawl for when temperatures drop.
In cities like Florence or Milan, you’ll want to switch to smarter, more polished outfits. Italians tend to dress elegantly year-round, so avoid overly casual clothes like gym wear or flip-flops when strolling through the city or dining out. Pay extra attention if you’re planning to enter closed spaces, like museums and restaurants, these are places that require more adequate outfits. Also, some churches don’t let you enter if you’re wearing anything too skinshowing; cover your shoulders, chest, belly and the upper part of your legs.
No Cappuccino After 11 am!
Most people don’t understand why the barista acts strange when they order a cappuccino after breakfast time. The answer is because Italians consider it a morning drink, given that it contains milk, a perfect ingredient to ingest in your first meal with something small (they usually like sweets), but too heavy to digest after lunch. Even if it’s not a rule, or something disrespectful, it’s so rooted in Italian culture that if you do it they will know immediately that you’re a foreigner.
