I think you missed the point a bit about the mafia question. It is not about making us unconfortable about revealing we are in the mafia (?!), It simply hurts that we are seen as criminals, mafia is a serious and complicated matter, and It is unrespectful to see people searching for criminals with curiosity, like It was a glamourus thing. Most of Italians are honest people living an honest life, and if a turist that I am trying to be friend with assumes I am a mafioso I would feel insulted.
Agreed completely! As a Chinese American, I wouldn't appreciate it if other Americans or anyone for that matter asked me if I was part of the Triads in Hong Kong, or something along those lines. Italy is so much more than a land of mafia. Most people there probably wouldn't want to deal with them, I bet. It's probably unpleasant to be reminded about them, because the Italians are trying to change their society's direction in the best path.
Perché da noi esiste il concetto che se devi uscire con qualcuno devi essere al massimo del tuo aspetto, tenendo conto dell' occasione sociale, ovviamente. Io vado al lavoro e mi vesto da operaia, se prendo i mezzi pubblici cerco comunque di avere un aspetto decente.
Actually, being italian and introverted, living here really forced me to open up to other people as much as I could. You know, those friends that are everywhere, that want you to go out with them, meet people, and so on. And I gotta say it's the mediterranean vibe. I gotta thank these people so different from me, I know in northern europe if you're shy, you just drink alone at a bar and then go home. They never let me indulge in enjoy loneliness. And I gotta say even if here in rome I'm the quiet, shy one, in Japan or Norway I end up being recognized as very friendly and talkative...LOL
Went to Italy for the first time last Sept and the Italians are fabulous! They were the kindest, most engaged people-- a breath of fresh air for this introvert. I noticed when I spoke the little Italian words I had learned from your other videos, they were most appreciative. I definitely want to go back soon!
Hello from France for the football jersey it is valid throughout Europe for example I strongly advise you not to walk around Marseille with a Paris Saint Germain jersey
Totally agree, One exception, in England, a Rugby Union shirt is not generally an issue, even if for a different country. Though I still wouldn't do it. And in London for one of the NFL games, any NFL shirt is welcomed.
@@RAD6150That's different, unless alcohol is involved, you won't be hit for wearing a jersey from a rival team. If you go to Naples with a Juventus jersey, all I can say to you is that I hope you prepared your funeral arrangements. I saw an AC Milan vs Inter Milan game and there a full on brawl between two groups of supporters around my seated area that it required many security guards with dogs to intervene. We definitely don't see that regularly in North America other than in very rare occasions.
@@filb Not different. I am Wings fan that wore his Jersey in Toronto... won't do that again. I am also a Michigan fan that knows your car will get damaged past Toledo if it has a block "M" on it...
Mark, this makes me want to go back to Italy right now. :). I went to a restaurant that looked open but it was 3:30 and they weren’t serving food. I said. “Ok, is it ok if we sit and have a drink ?” The owner came over with our drinks and a sampler of all their pizza for free! He said “you’re hungry. It’s ok “.
I'd won't call any old lady "nonna": it can be seen as rude, unless you are related to each other or you have a very close relationship. Same goes with greeting with "ciao" any strangers on the street.
This comment just reminded me of Jamie Oliver travelling around Italy literally calling every woman he met nonna 😂 I didn’t know if it was offensive or not
We celebrated an anniversary for three weeks in Italy in o6 (wow been 18 years ago now!) and our #1 rule going was remember that we were guests in their country. We weren't gracing them with the honor of our tourism. We really made an effort to learn the language as best as possible for six months and what a huge difference I believe that made. Although I'm sure I sounded like an idiot, it seemed like the effort was appreciated. And humility always goes a long way. We rented a car and put 3000 km on it. It was glorious! I think we enjoyed the more off the beaten path cities the most. Yeah we did Venice but stayed right in the city. Walking the streets and Grand Canal evenings after the daily horde-tide of tourists rolled back out well worth it. Stayed in an 800 year old hotel. The wife blew the electrical within 30 minutes of checking in with her hair dryer LOL. Good times! and memories...
@@casomai We started our Italia adventure in the north near Sondrio. My wife's Great grandmother and great-grandmother were born in small village of Caiolo. Your people were very warm and wonderful. Even better than the food and beautiful country.❤
Traveled to England to take in two football matches.The first was at Old Trafford, in Manchester,to take in Man United v Chelsea. Brought the Man United scarf and wore it around my neck during the game. We had to hustle out of there because we had a 3+ hour drive to Newcastle, we had tickets to the next days game, Newcastle v Liverpool. Got to the hotel and as I approached the desk to check in, I did not hear hello, the first thing was, "you might want to take off that Man United scarf", in a nice way. I did 🙂.
Sorry, but this is an attitude I have often seen: "I want two subway tickets." For us Italians, not saying hello or saying thank you after you are served is extremely rude. We are very pleased if someone says buongiorno and grazie. Nobody expects you to speak Italian, but a smile, an effort, and good manners are greatly appreciated.
Bingo. I've been to Italy four times, I've tried my very best to ask basic questions in italian, otherwise I gesticulate and mime and people understand me. I'm also very polite and grateful. A smile and politeness go a loooooooong way in Italy, as the italian people have always been incredibly nice.
In Africa (all over the continent), Europe, Australia, one greets. If you walk into a shop you say hello, or greet in their language. They don't require you to have a conversation with them unless you want to. I cannot imagine a life where one does not greet. When you leave a shop or leave a bus you always thank the driver or shop assistant even if you haven't bought anything. Don't know how it works in the eastern countries but I should imagine there is also some form of greeting. Many Americans do not greet.
@lauraragazzi464 I have noticed this! This is my first time to Italy and was very self-conscious trying to speak the little Italian I knew but after a few days of listening to the locals I picked up on certain things. You will get the biggest smiles from the locals and taxi drivers just saying "Ciao (their name)" and then "Grazie mille ciao" when exiting the cab. I went to extra effort and tried saying "pago il macia xx euros" amt for tip and the drivers were always so nice and happy I was trying to speak their language. Even just saying salve, buonasera or buongiorno and you will be greeted with a smile. Im sad to leave in 2 days, I love it here!!! Btw duolingo was not helpful at all in trying to learn the basics like where is the bathroom or check please 😂 on case anyone is using that app. Phrases i found needed: where is the (add location), how to order coffee, check please, good morning/good evening, how much is this, how are you (and your response), please and thank you
@biancalawrence3178 i always greet, maybe you've just encountered the aloof and rude one's- sorry about that! Also depending on the region they are from, if those areas are really busy and fast paced they forego the niceties, I try not to take offence
Great tips! I had two encounters (let’s put like that for now😂): my 4 y-o son pointed out to a painting at Ferrari’s Museum (never got close to it) and we heard: si prega di non toccare! A few years latter in Rome, my 7y-o asked for polenta (his favorite food) and the waiter was kinda of upset and said: polenta is from the north… I asked him to forgive us because we did not know that. He became our best friend! Italy is my favorite country ever! I love going to the local stores and talk to the nonnas there! It reminded me of my great grand father! I’ll live there one day!❤🇮🇹😂 One more thing that upset Italians: don’t mess with their gelato! Mamma mia! Má daí!!😂😂😂
Hey dude, welcome to Italy and I am glad to see you are having a great time here... You should title this video "things that makes Italians laugh" because none of the things you pointed out will annoy or upset any Italian.. they will just find it funny or weird... What would really upset an Italian would be being rude of course, or being very cold or distant as this in our culture is tantamount to being rude.. since as you pointed out we (and basically all latin people) are culturally more laid back , friendly and warm then the average US people, even with people we really do not not much, so when we do not see that in others we might interpret it as "they do not like us".
@@caramia4789 I have lived for three years in your beautiful Country, in California and Virginia and I can tell you I had to manage my own ways to adapt to US culture and not make people uncomfortable. .... Of course it varies a bit with region, but we Italians are WAY more "touchy" then most US people I have met.. I also noticed that while we italians are used to look intently to the person that is speaking to us, to shows that he or she has all our attention, this kind of staring makes most US people uncomfortable.. Finally one other difference that comes to my mind on the spot is that most US people will be very nice and smily and friendly with just everyone they meet , while we itaians tend to be a bit more transparent about our feelings and interest for others.. Of course with this I don' t mean to imply that US people are less friendly, or giving, or "warm" then Italians.. I firmly believe that deep down we humans are pretty much all the same .. culture only affects how you show who you are, and what you deem a proper behaviour , even on the unconscious level. On a final note, one thing I learnt by living in two such different states like California and Virginia is that it might not even make sense to talk of an "average US person" :) Gosh I miss the States!
Off topic: days ago I went in Venice because I had to take my wedding shoes. Some americans ladies were inside the shop and when they understood, they star to yell "OH MY GOD, THIS IS SOOOO ROMANTIC, MAY WE TAKE PICTURES?" Ahahah they were so funny and lovely, I love respectfull people from all the word. They also tried to speak italian. Lovely ❤.
I was in Rome a few weeks ago for our honeymoon, and me and the wife went to get some gelato from a place near the Vatican (I know its a tourist trap but there gelato was delicious) we're scottish but one thing we done was try and speak the language and say simple things like Ciao, gratzi and arrivederci. It put a smile to the guy behind the counter and you can tell he really appreciated us trying to speak the language. Then behind me a pack of american tourists just didnt even bother trying to speak the lingo and his eyes just rolled. Im not picking on all americans but it was just that small cluster that let your team down!
@caramia4789 I did meet so many wonderful Americans much like yourself during my travels who embraced the country and learn the language. At the cat sanctuary in Rome there was this American lady who works and lives in Rome and gives her spare time volunteering at the sanctuary. Me and the wife were amazed with her stories and her switch from English to Italian was impressive! As I say it was only a very small minority there that let the team down, much like when we have Scottish tourists who visit other countries and a minority ruin it too. I've witnessed a glasweigan family demand for Irn-Bru with their meal in Barcelona and call spanish food disgusting and a Scottish stag do in Prague be disgusting and vulgar to the locals, it happens everywhere. Genuinely well done in being brave and living in a different country and learning the language. I can imagine that took some effort and you had that courage to just go out and do it!
@@Gallusinsky nothing against you, sorry, it’s when social media tourist guide mispronounce a word and suddenly an increasing amount of tourist start talking an you-tube Italian… Just for laugh.
Regarding cappuccino oh no we are not so strict anymore. I'm italian and I can order cappuccino at any time. Just something that could be considered as a sin: to drink cappuccino while having lunch or dinner.
Many years ago, I was in Rome and ordered a cappuccino at a cafe in the afternoon. The waiter made a face as if he smelled something bad. When he brought me the coffee, he made disgusted clucking noises. Glad to hear coffee rules have lightened up in Italy. 😉
I thought it was because milk is considered to digest too slowly and therefore would disturb your sleep? From that it became a bit of a legend/myth that was exaggerated as time went went on. At least, that's what the hotelier claimed.
@@jonburnell532 No, never heard of this motivation. It's mostly because cappuccino is considered a sweet drink that is not supposed to be had we savoury food.
Great fun video and spot on with the 'cappuccino' culture mention. 'Pineapple on pizza' and 'cream in carbonara' are two more things guaranteed to send your Italian friends into a spin ! (Probably best to not even mention 'Alfredo' if you have any respect for their culinary sensibilities.)
I’m far from an expert but I totally agree with these tips that I think also overflow as general rules into other countries as well. Well done. Can’t wait to go back to Europe to visit again.
You put out so many informative, entertaining, valuable videos... in which you're always disparaging your body! I promise you we care more about the content than about how the presenter looks. Thanks for all your work over the years to make us better tourists. Your enthusiasm for travel and your love for your family shine though, every time.
Not meaning to be disrespectful, but we’ve often had to move when sitting outside on a patio beside Americans. Not just because the things that are coming out of their mouth ( their world view), but because of the decibel level. Not sure who is louder the Chinese or Americans. I know it’s totally a cultural thing and I respect that. Having said that I have also met many Americans that are educated, worldly and respectful of their surroundings. But sometimes man it’s just grating. Cheers Tom from Toronto (originally from 🇩🇪)
I think the fastest way to upset an italian is talking about our food only. Yes, it's definitely a thing, but we have much, much more to share. I like to watch yt videos about the cultural shock of americans visiting italy, but 90% of the stuff is about food 🙄 So, if you want to look like you really care about some italians you're talking with, just don't focus on food only, thanks 🙏
100% on the football shirt thing. In the UK (and across Europe) you also need to remember that many major cities have multiple football teams (Glasgow, London, Manchester, Liverpool etc in the UK) and these rivalries can be intense as they often include historical/political factors too. So even if you're wearing a football shirt from a team in the city you're in, if you walk into a bar in another part of town there might be problems. This is true for many major cities in Europe.
One of our waiters in Sienna treated us like old friends, and offered to hang out with us after his shift. In Lucca we met 3 men at the table behind us. They were having dinner together for a yearly college "reunion". We struck up conversation, even though we know VERY LITTLE Italian, and they knew just a bit more English (thank you Reverso!). Still, we became fast friends and were the last group to close out the restaurant. LOVE LOVE LOVE the Italians ❤
Almost. Ragù is the sauce (no, "bolonnaise" do not exist here), spaghetti is the pasta. They don't really go together (not in restaurants, anyway). it's not a question of base-line taste per se (though egg-based pasta is preferable), it's a question of type of pasta, specific flavour, texture, and of how the sauce mixes with it.
The first tip, if invited out the person that made the invitation pays…. My father taught me that here in the USA years and years ago. If you invite someone out you pay, period, end of story, unless you specify dutch treat.
If you order coffee to go say “ per asporto” “Ciao buongiorno, or “giorno” prendo un caffe per asporto, e basta. Grazie” They don’t do coffee to go in paper cup that often and I just got a weird look when I asked for it in Naples but they accommodated me and the coffee is THE BEST. I wish oooooh I wish we had walk up espresso bars in the US.
On the football shirts thing, you can sometimes turn it to your advantage. I wore a Roma FC shirt strictly in central Rome (the outer suburbs to the south of the city tend to have more Lazio fans) and got two Italians thanking me and buying me drinks.
No mention of restaurants in Italy not giving you ice in your drink, even in the summer? I have been to Rome, Florence, and Milan in the summer and they're all doing this. The McDonalds gave ice in the drink, but very little. Why? Do they think it's ok to have room temperature water when it's super hot outside?
Here is a funny one to your tip #2.... I need ice in my drinks - not common - so I butchered the word ice a few times to my waiter - miming what I wanted with a sweet smile - he was amused and grateful I tried - and from then on - (it was my little hotel area) when I ordered any room temp drink - I got Giacho ? without having to ask. :) because I had TRIED to say the word and ask nicely
Thanks Wolters World. I’m going on a 10 day school trip to Italy next week and this was very helpful. Any other tips you can give for first timers? For reference we are going to Venice, Florence, and Rome. Anything to see? Anything specific to eat or to avoid?
Hi. As an Italian, I would tell you not to expect everyone you meet to be so wonderful, especially in those three cities, which are loaded with tourists. I hope you enjoy your stay!
Also, when you try to speak some Italian, make sure it makes sense. Like, Ciao makes sense because you are greeting someone. However, listing foods from a restaurant menu is not a way to show off your Italian. I have met several foreigners going "ayyy pasta, mozzarella, pizza, peperoni!!" Unless you are actually ordering all that food, you shouldn't walk around and tell it to random people 😆
I would honestly just avoid wearing sports shirts or hats in Europe as a tourist personally. There's too much chance of annoying someone and you look like a mugger's wet dream too.
I think most locals won’t care if you have a cappuccino any time of the day. But having it, or coffee, with a meal is a dead giveaway that you are a tourist. Also, 2 things that are frowned upon in Italy are spitting and burping in public. You will rarely see this and it’s mostly from tourists.
@@MilesNauticus At least where you are it's doable. I live on a houseboat in a rural town called Younghusband. I use to live in Melbourne and we had some unbelievable Italian owned restaurants. Here it's my cooking. If you don't mind be asking, where are you from?
@@grantleyhughes I'm italian and live in Rome, I'm a former petty officer in the Italian navy. I have visited many Australian ports, Melbourne included, when I was on board a cruiser in 1988 to partecipate the bicentenary celebrations. I was 19 years old, what unforgettable memories and experiences in that far away Australian world.
@@MilesNauticus That would have been amazing. We have an ex Australian navy officer here in the marina. The stories you guys can tell. I was an officer in the British army myself for a time. The Belfast time wasn't good, but the rest was interesting to say the least. Rome is very much on my short list of places to visit. I'd like to go all over Italy. Also starting a course to learn the language so I'll be able to talk to locals more. I go for the people more than the tourist attractions.
Happened to my wife and I, waitress started making fun of us in italian with another patron (who non stopped stared at us giggling) (I speak italian). Then she ordered a waiter to serve us our check as soon as our cappuccino was brought to the table. Very immature.
@@robertcapek2425 I do too, mostly when I talk about chocolate easter eggs for some reason. I say "gli uovi di Pasqua". In Tuscany we also say "orecchi", "ginocchi" and "ossi".
another thing Americans do in Europe that europeans simply can't understand is ordering food and then asking for substiutions - for them, if you don't like or can't eat an ingredient, just order something else. Touristy restaurants will try to humor you, but smaller places and more "autoral" chefs and kitchens will find it nonsensical and childish, even, in some cases, borderline offensive. (oh, and definitely grated cheese doesn't go on fish or seafood pasta)
It's actually not true at all. We have friends that own a restaurant not in Italy, but frequented in the summer by lots of Italians who are on vacation, and they are constantly trying to order substitutions.
I speak a bit of Italian and I’m a dual citizen. 99 percent of the time they will appreciate you speaking Italian but will reply in English. 1 percent of the time, and this happened to me at Palazzo Pitti, I had a barista yell at me to speak English. He was a huge jerk that didn’t want to humor my admittedly bad Italian but everyone else was super nice. Also Prego almost a universal greeting over there not just “ your welcome “
there usually is one main reason: if your fluency is low enough, they will try to make the communication easier by switching to your language, if they (think they) know it well enough. If that's done cordially or contemptuously can be guessed by the non-verbal cues.
I’m American and I also cook from scratch. I respect all people. I also see people from other countries making many mistakes in America, so what they are visiting and learning. Enjoy life.
I do speak Italian, and the natives really seemed to appreciate this and were extremely helpful when I had conversations with them in Italian. However, some women would correct my grammar if I happened to make a mistake, but I think they were just trying to be helpful. At least I spoke fluently enough for them to think I was worth helping - probably.
It Depend on what you want see and where you go, but in general avoid August, it's hot as hell, overcrowd and ovepacked whit turists and in the two middle week Italy basicaly shotdown. For me april-march and September are more livable.
Thank you Mark for your excellent videos, you'll always welcomed in Italy. Do you think one day it will possible to ban O**ve Garden? Or at least abolish chicken on pizza or pasta?
Asking someone if they are in the mafia is probably the most offensive question you can ask in Italy, so do not do it, even as a joke. It is not funny.
That first example was heartwarming :3 These cross-cultural misunderstandings can pretty amusing. I can imagine a situation where Wolter, being an outgoing and unfailingly considerate American, wanting to show his gratitude for his Italian friend's invitation to eat with them by helping pay for their meal. Meanwhile his Italian mate is just "what are ya tryin' say, that I can't afford to take my friends out for food?!" xD The point about the north/south divide of Italy was a salient one. I'd say it's good practice to learn at least a little of the history of whatever region of Italy you're travelling to, because regionalism is fairly serious business in the Apennine Peninsula. It's only relatively recent in history that a unified contemporary nation of "Italy" came about at all, having been made up from a staggering number of independent city states and principalities to form the country we see today.
Hahaha... thought the same. I love Italy, but I am an introvert, and Italians are very difficult to keep on social distance. But I like Italians and Italy too much anyway. But for living I prefer a quieter place.
02:20 I know this problem from Roma, where my dad wear a baseball cap of AS Roma in a Lazio Roma district. But at most time the people know that you are tourists. Maybe you get a little joke about that. It is in Germany similar.
This should go without saying. I always feel very guilty when I do not speak a country's language, but those two words go such a long way in terms of respect and courtesy!
One of my good friends in HS has a Dad that's from Florence. He was taking him shopping at the mall for school clothes. At the time, me and my friend went everywhere together, so I tagged along. He noticed that I was really interested in a pair of shoes. He asked my size and asked the worker to go and grab them for us. In my family, when people offer to pay for something, we're taught that it's polite to say: "Oh, you don't have to do that" or "No, I couldn't accept that." When I said it, he got really offended and quickly corrected me. He said with a stern voice: "I know that I don't have to, I want to." I changed the way that I accepted gifts from then on. It's important to the person gifting, that you accept it and be appreciative. It's supposed to be fun and celebratory. You're not supposed to act like you're being a nuisance by accepting their gift immediately. I imagine this is true for a lot of Europe, and something to consider when visiting.
One thing to add if you enter a small shops (negozi) it is considered polite to ask to look around if you don’t know the words just say posso and spin your finger around or point to your eyes. Most tourist areas have come to expect people just walking in to peruse the shop but they consider it rather rude Italian are a very polite society.
I dressed as a backpacker in Italy and people where friendly to me. However, I did not make friends, likely because I was not there for long, I was mostly in super tourist places and I traveled quickly.
I find not having a cappuccino after noon in Italy to be surprising, considering that in France it is very common. Perhaps this is only in southern Italy?
I was waiting for the one of cappuccino after 11 am... It's simply not true. I drink cappuccino whenever I wish and it's just fine! Maybe at the end of a dinner late at night is not common to ask for it, but even then, the restaurant won't tell you nothing and will just do it!
Simplest explanation: south of Rome is southern Italy, north of it is North. But it's simplistic. Medium explanation: everything geographically north of San Marino is Northern Italy, everything between that and the line cutting Italy from Rome through L'Aquila is Central Italy, everything south of that is Southern Italy. Complex explanation: you are clearly not ready for it yet.
Your comments about the mafia brought back memories to a college exchange trip that I had in 1979 to Japan. When I told my counterparts that I grew up in Chicago, the immediate thing that came to mind for the Japanese students about Chicago was Al Capone. 😂 Interestingly, my grandfather was a milkman in Chicago in the 1920s and 1930s, and claimed that he delivered milk to Al Capone's house. They lived about 2 miles from each other, and I have no reason to doubt my grandfather's story.
We had a guy come to school one day and mention how he was taken prisoner in the Battle of the Bulge. On his birthday. When his pow camp was liberated by the Russians, they asked him where he was from. He figured if he told them Iowa, they'd have no idea where that was, so he said Chicago. He said their eyes got big and they were like "oooh, Chicago, gangster, bang bang" 😆
Asking someone if they are in the mafia is asking them if they are a criminal. I hope people are not stupid enough to ask that...in any country.
I think Mark is in the Mafia-that’s why he’s telling everyone to not bring it up. 😉🤫
I am American of Sicilian and Bari decent and if I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if my family was in the mafia I would be rich!
@@christinel8356 Are you in the Mafia?
@@sc100ott
@@christinel8356 Go figure when they ask that to someone from Tuscany or from the Alps bordering Austria then..LOL
I think you missed the point a bit about the mafia question. It is not about making us unconfortable about revealing we are in the mafia (?!), It simply hurts that we are seen as criminals, mafia is a serious and complicated matter, and It is unrespectful to see people searching for criminals with curiosity, like It was a glamourus thing. Most of Italians are honest people living an honest life, and if a turist that I am trying to be friend with assumes I am a mafioso I would feel insulted.
I fully agree with you!
had she found one she would very soon have regretted it..... @@paogar36
Womp womp
Agreed completely! As a Chinese American, I wouldn't appreciate it if other Americans or anyone for that matter asked me if I was part of the Triads in Hong Kong, or something along those lines. Italy is so much more than a land of mafia. Most people there probably wouldn't want to deal with them, I bet. It's probably unpleasant to be reminded about them, because the Italians are trying to change their society's direction in the best path.
I remember when I moved to America people would say..oh you are Italian? mafiosa right? ouch I wanted to scream
We are in Puglia now, our fourth week of five. Love, love “, love Italy!
Love Italy. Definitely miss the pizza and pasta there. Thank for the tips.
Great video. Agree everyone in Italy dresses so well. It’s crazy
Perché da noi esiste il concetto che se devi uscire con qualcuno devi essere al massimo del tuo aspetto, tenendo conto dell' occasione sociale, ovviamente. Io vado al lavoro e mi vesto da operaia, se prendo i mezzi pubblici cerco comunque di avere un aspetto decente.
Perfect timing as I’m headed to Italy in a few weeks!
Hey! So nice to see you here.
My wife and I just booked a trip to Italy this week for June. Great timing for this ha
ALSO!!! if you are invited to someone's house, BRING something, even if it is a small bottle of wine.
I think this is every country in the world 😂
I had pasta in Italy and it was better then any pasta I have ever had
I've been to Italy twice. I would go back again and again if I could 🥰 Beautiful people 😊
Actually, being italian and introverted, living here really forced me to open up to other people as much as I could. You know, those friends that are everywhere, that want you to go out with them, meet people, and so on. And I gotta say it's the mediterranean vibe. I gotta thank these people so different from me, I know in northern europe if you're shy, you just drink alone at a bar and then go home. They never let me indulge in enjoy loneliness. And I gotta say even if here in rome I'm the quiet, shy one, in Japan or Norway I end up being recognized as very friendly and talkative...LOL
Went to Italy for the first time last Sept and the Italians are fabulous! They were the kindest, most engaged people-- a breath of fresh air for this introvert. I noticed when I spoke the little Italian words I had learned from your other videos, they were most appreciative. I definitely want to go back soon!
You are welcome anytime
Nice persons like you always are welcome.
Hello from France for the football jersey it is valid throughout Europe for example I strongly advise you not to walk around Marseille with a Paris Saint Germain jersey
It's the same with hockey and American football... I would never wear my Detroit Red Wings jersey in Toronto or Montreal!
Totally agree, One exception, in England, a Rugby Union shirt is not generally an issue, even if for a different country.
Though I still wouldn't do it.
And in London for one of the NFL games, any NFL shirt is welcomed.
@@RAD6150That's different, unless alcohol is involved, you won't be hit for wearing a jersey from a rival team. If you go to Naples with a Juventus jersey, all I can say to you is that I hope you prepared your funeral arrangements.
I saw an AC Milan vs Inter Milan game and there a full on brawl between two groups of supporters around my seated area that it required many security guards with dogs to intervene. We definitely don't see that regularly in North America other than in very rare occasions.
@@RAD6150Your statement is false.
@@filb Not different. I am Wings fan that wore his Jersey in Toronto... won't do that again.
I am also a Michigan fan that knows your car will get damaged past Toledo if it has a block "M" on it...
Mark, this makes me want to go back to Italy right now. :). I went to a restaurant that looked open but it was 3:30 and they weren’t serving food. I said. “Ok, is it ok if we sit and have a drink ?” The owner came over with our drinks and a sampler of all their pizza for free! He said “you’re hungry. It’s ok “.
❤❤
I'd won't call any old lady "nonna": it can be seen as rude, unless you are related to each other or you have a very close relationship. Same goes with greeting with "ciao" any strangers on the street.
This comment just reminded me of Jamie Oliver travelling around Italy literally calling every woman he met nonna 😂 I didn’t know if it was offensive or not
We celebrated an anniversary for three weeks in Italy in o6 (wow been 18 years ago now!) and our #1 rule going was remember that we were guests in their country. We weren't gracing them with the honor of our tourism. We really made an effort to learn the language as best as possible for six months and what a huge difference I believe that made. Although I'm sure I sounded like an idiot, it seemed like the effort was appreciated. And humility always goes a long way. We rented a car and put 3000 km on it. It was glorious! I think we enjoyed the more off the beaten path cities the most. Yeah we did Venice but stayed right in the city. Walking the streets and Grand Canal evenings after the daily horde-tide of tourists rolled back out well worth it. Stayed in an 800 year old hotel. The wife blew the electrical within 30 minutes of checking in with her hair dryer LOL. Good times! and memories...
You show yourself to be an enthusiastic, intelligent and sensitive man. I hope you can come back to visit Italy again.
Grazie, da parte di una veneziana. Non sai quanto lo apprezziamo noi, chi ci ama come città, e non come Disneyland.
@@casomai We started our Italia adventure in the north near Sondrio. My wife's Great grandmother and great-grandmother were born in small village of Caiolo. Your people were very warm and wonderful. Even better than the food and beautiful country.❤
Great video.....been to Italy several times and always learn something new when I watch your videos!
the north south thing is applicable in the US too 😂😂
Spain too haha
And the UK and Belgium...
Is there really someone who asks us italians if we know mafiosi ?😳 Umbelievable!!!! 🤦
Americans think that every italian is a mobster 😅
@@patu1989. Not true.
@@patu1989Mmmmmm...i think so! 🤔
You are the best man! I started watching your vídeos in Germany, now we're in italy and your comments are still very, very valuable, great job
Traveled to England to take in two football matches.The first was at Old Trafford, in Manchester,to take in Man United v Chelsea. Brought the Man United scarf and wore it around my neck during the game. We had to hustle out of there because we had a 3+ hour drive to Newcastle, we had tickets to the next days game, Newcastle v Liverpool. Got to the hotel and as I approached the desk to check in, I did not hear hello, the first thing was, "you might want to take off that Man United scarf", in a nice way. I did 🙂.
Sorry, but this is an attitude I have often seen: "I want two subway tickets." For us Italians, not saying hello or saying thank you after you are served is extremely rude. We are very pleased if someone says buongiorno and grazie. Nobody expects you to speak Italian, but a smile, an effort, and good manners are greatly appreciated.
Bingo. I've been to Italy four times, I've tried my very best to ask basic questions in italian, otherwise I gesticulate and mime and people understand me. I'm also very polite and grateful. A smile and politeness go a loooooooong way in Italy, as the italian people have always been incredibly nice.
In Africa (all over the continent), Europe, Australia, one greets. If you walk into a shop you say hello, or greet in their language. They don't require you to have a conversation with them unless you want to. I cannot imagine a life where one does not greet. When you leave a shop or leave a bus you always thank the driver or shop assistant even if you haven't bought anything. Don't know how it works in the eastern countries but I should imagine there is also some form of greeting. Many Americans do not greet.
@lauraragazzi464 I have noticed this! This is my first time to Italy and was very self-conscious trying to speak the little Italian I knew but after a few days of listening to the locals I picked up on certain things. You will get the biggest smiles from the locals and taxi drivers just saying "Ciao (their name)" and then "Grazie mille ciao" when exiting the cab. I went to extra effort and tried saying "pago il macia xx euros" amt for tip and the drivers were always so nice and happy I was trying to speak their language. Even just saying salve, buonasera or buongiorno and you will be greeted with a smile. Im sad to leave in 2 days, I love it here!!! Btw duolingo was not helpful at all in trying to learn the basics like where is the bathroom or check please 😂 on case anyone is using that app. Phrases i found needed: where is the (add location), how to order coffee, check please, good morning/good evening, how much is this, how are you (and your response), please and thank you
@biancalawrence3178 i always greet, maybe you've just encountered the aloof and rude one's- sorry about that! Also depending on the region they are from, if those areas are really busy and fast paced they forego the niceties, I try not to take offence
As an Italian
1# Don't f*ck with our food
2# Respect people, culture and cultural places
3# Enjoy yourself, Italia is beautiful ❤️
Sono americani, inutile aggiungere altro.....
You mean, bella?
@@Anomaly_2024 amazing! I hope you have the best time
Great tips! I had two encounters (let’s put like that for now😂): my 4 y-o son pointed out to a painting at Ferrari’s Museum (never got close to it) and we heard: si prega di non toccare!
A few years latter in Rome, my 7y-o asked for polenta (his favorite food) and the waiter was kinda of upset and said: polenta is from the north… I asked him to forgive us because we did not know that. He became our best friend!
Italy is my favorite country ever! I love going to the local stores and talk to the nonnas there! It reminded me of my great grand father! I’ll live there one day!❤🇮🇹😂
One more thing that upset Italians: don’t mess with their gelato! Mamma mia! Má daí!!😂😂😂
Il gelato e un invenzioni italiana come tante e tante cose
This video is funny. But very informative. Thank you Mark.😆
In Milan I wore my Inter jersey and caught heck from the AC Milan fans. All in good fun
You are fabulous at your size as you are. Don’t put yourself down🥰
Oh, Bari! I didn't see it before! I needed to see this!
Hey dude, welcome to Italy and I am glad to see you are having a great time here...
You should title this video "things that makes Italians laugh" because none of the things you pointed out will annoy or upset any Italian.. they will just find it funny or weird...
What would really upset an Italian would be being rude of course, or being very cold or distant as this in our culture is tantamount to being rude.. since as you pointed out we (and basically all latin people) are culturally more laid back , friendly and warm then the average US people, even with people we really do not not much, so when we do not see that in others we might interpret it as "they do not like us".
Have you ever met an average US person? They are annoyingly friendly…
@@caramia4789 I have lived for three years in your beautiful Country, in California and Virginia and I can tell you I had to manage my own ways to adapt to US culture and not make people uncomfortable. ....
Of course it varies a bit with region, but we Italians are WAY more "touchy" then most US people I have met.. I also noticed that while we italians are used to look intently to the person that is speaking to us, to shows that he or she has all our attention, this kind of staring makes most US people uncomfortable.. Finally one other difference that comes to my mind on the spot is that most US people will be very nice and smily and friendly with just everyone they meet , while we itaians tend to be a bit more transparent about our feelings and interest for others..
Of course with this I don' t mean to imply that US people are less friendly, or giving, or "warm" then Italians.. I firmly believe that deep down we humans are pretty much all the same .. culture only affects how you show who you are, and what you deem a proper behaviour , even on the unconscious level.
On a final note, one thing I learnt by living in two such different states like California and Virginia is that it might not even make sense to talk of an "average US person" :)
Gosh I miss the States!
Off topic: days ago I went in Venice because I had to take my wedding shoes. Some americans ladies were inside the shop and when they understood, they star to yell "OH MY GOD, THIS IS SOOOO ROMANTIC, MAY WE TAKE PICTURES?" Ahahah they were so funny and lovely, I love respectfull people from all the word. They also tried to speak italian. Lovely ❤.
I’ve never been out of country before but my fiance and I are going to Rome for our honeymoon next year. Your videos are super helpful!
Another great video from Wolter!
I was in Rome a few weeks ago for our honeymoon, and me and the wife went to get some gelato from a place near the Vatican (I know its a tourist trap but there gelato was delicious) we're scottish but one thing we done was try and speak the language and say simple things like Ciao, gratzi and arrivederci. It put a smile to the guy behind the counter and you can tell he really appreciated us trying to speak the language. Then behind me a pack of american tourists just didnt even bother trying to speak the lingo and his eyes just rolled. Im not picking on all americans but it was just that small cluster that let your team down!
I am an American living in Italy and speak Italian plus a few other languages so I am improving America’s image 🤣
@caramia4789 I did meet so many wonderful Americans much like yourself during my travels who embraced the country and learn the language. At the cat sanctuary in Rome there was this American lady who works and lives in Rome and gives her spare time volunteering at the sanctuary. Me and the wife were amazed with her stories and her switch from English to Italian was impressive! As I say it was only a very small minority there that let the team down, much like when we have Scottish tourists who visit other countries and a minority ruin it too. I've witnessed a glasweigan family demand for Irn-Bru with their meal in Barcelona and call spanish food disgusting and a Scottish stag do in Prague be disgusting and vulgar to the locals, it happens everywhere.
Genuinely well done in being brave and living in a different country and learning the language. I can imagine that took some effort and you had that courage to just go out and do it!
graTZI ????
Who lowered the volume of the translator app???!!!
@LP-ho9ty Wow I spelt it wrong, big deal...
@@Gallusinsky nothing against you, sorry, it’s when social media tourist guide mispronounce a word and suddenly an increasing amount of tourist start talking an you-tube Italian…
Just for laugh.
We just returned from a 13 day adventure in Italy. Wonderful food and people. Good times
Regarding cappuccino oh no we are not so strict anymore. I'm italian and I can order cappuccino at any time. Just something that could be considered as a sin: to drink cappuccino while having lunch or dinner.
Many years ago, I was in Rome and ordered a cappuccino at a cafe in the afternoon. The waiter made a face as if he smelled something bad. When he brought me the coffee, he made disgusted clucking noises. Glad to hear coffee rules have lightened up in Italy. 😉
@@sassyt1545 I don't know, maybe was a psychological problem of that waiter.
Yeah, it's because we associate cappuccino with sweet food, which we normally have for breakfast, but it could be an afternoon snack as well.
I thought it was because milk is considered to digest too slowly and therefore would disturb your sleep? From that it became a bit of a legend/myth that was exaggerated as time went went on. At least, that's what the hotelier claimed.
@@jonburnell532 No, never heard of this motivation. It's mostly because cappuccino is considered a sweet drink that is not supposed to be had we savoury food.
Great video! I'm Italian and I really appreciate your opinion about us...thank you!!
Your presentation was absolutely hilarious!
Proud of you! You're a role model: a professor in Illinois, who shows about other cultures and life!
Great fun video and spot on with the 'cappuccino' culture mention. 'Pineapple on pizza' and 'cream in carbonara' are two more things guaranteed to send your Italian friends into a spin ! (Probably best to not even mention 'Alfredo' if you have any respect for their culinary sensibilities.)
Hey Mark, awesome video
I’m far from an expert but I totally agree with these tips that I think also overflow as general rules into other countries as well. Well done. Can’t wait to go back to Europe to visit again.
You put out so many informative, entertaining, valuable videos... in which you're always disparaging your body! I promise you we care more about the content than about how the presenter looks. Thanks for all your work over the years to make us better tourists. Your enthusiasm for travel and your love for your family shine though, every time.
Thank you for the inside information!
Not meaning to be disrespectful, but we’ve often had to move when sitting outside on a patio beside Americans. Not just because the things that are coming out of their mouth ( their world view), but because of the decibel level. Not sure who is louder the Chinese or Americans. I know it’s totally a cultural thing and I respect that. Having said that I have also met many Americans that are educated, worldly and respectful of their surroundings. But sometimes man it’s just grating. Cheers Tom from Toronto (originally from 🇩🇪)
I am looking forward to my first trip to Italy this year:). Thanks for the advice:). Great job Mark:).
I love Italy so much! My Italian friends in Canada are amazing.
The food in Italy is incredible! And the people are amazing!
It's really hard to upset the Italians... EXCEPT WHEN YOU'RE MESSING WITH FOOD!
I think the fastest way to upset an italian is talking about our food only. Yes, it's definitely a thing, but we have much, much more to share. I like to watch yt videos about the cultural shock of americans visiting italy, but 90% of the stuff is about food 🙄
So, if you want to look like you really care about some italians you're talking with, just don't focus on food only, thanks 🙏
Perfectly right. 2000 years of history could be an alternative topic!😂😂 greetings from northeast of Italy!
100% on the football shirt thing.
In the UK (and across Europe) you also need to remember that many major cities have multiple football teams (Glasgow, London, Manchester, Liverpool etc in the UK) and these rivalries can be intense as they often include historical/political factors too.
So even if you're wearing a football shirt from a team in the city you're in, if you walk into a bar in another part of town there might be problems. This is true for many major cities in Europe.
One of our waiters in Sienna treated us like old friends, and offered to hang out with us after his shift. In Lucca we met 3 men at the table behind us. They were having dinner together for a yearly college "reunion". We struck up conversation, even though we know VERY LITTLE Italian, and they knew just a bit more English (thank you Reverso!). Still, we became fast friends and were the last group to close out the restaurant. LOVE LOVE LOVE the Italians ❤
They probably just wanted to bed you.
wise and sage advice , great video
As Frankie Boyle said: "Ragu spaghetti sauce. If you served this to someone from Italy, they'd punch you in the face."
Almost.
Ragù is the sauce (no, "bolonnaise" do not exist here), spaghetti is the pasta.
They don't really go together (not in restaurants, anyway). it's not a question of base-line taste per se (though egg-based pasta is preferable), it's a question of type of pasta, specific flavour, texture, and of how the sauce mixes with it.
The first tip, if invited out the person that made the invitation pays…. My father taught me that here in the USA years and years ago. If you invite someone out you pay, period, end of story, unless you specify dutch treat.
As Italian I confirm that, just we say "present (offer) for dinner" when we pay for dinner for a friend or family member.
If you order coffee to go say “ per asporto”
“Ciao buongiorno, or “giorno” prendo un caffe per asporto, e basta. Grazie”
They don’t do coffee to go in paper cup that often and I just got a weird look when I asked for it in Naples but they accommodated me and the coffee is THE BEST. I wish oooooh I wish we had walk up espresso bars in the US.
On the football shirts thing, you can sometimes turn it to your advantage. I wore a Roma FC shirt strictly in central Rome (the outer suburbs to the south of the city tend to have more Lazio fans) and got two Italians thanking me and buying me drinks.
No mention of restaurants in Italy not giving you ice in your drink, even in the summer? I have been to Rome, Florence, and Milan in the summer and they're all doing this. The McDonalds gave ice in the drink, but very little. Why? Do they think it's ok to have room temperature water when it's super hot outside?
The ice diluite down your drinks and offer less ti consume. It you want cold drink you can ask them "from the fridge"
Here is a funny one to your tip #2.... I need ice in my drinks - not common - so I butchered the word ice a few times to my waiter - miming what I wanted with a sweet smile - he was amused and grateful I tried - and from then on - (it was my little hotel area) when I ordered any room temp drink - I got Giacho ? without having to ask. :) because I had TRIED to say the word and ask nicely
Thanks Wolters World. I’m going on a 10 day school trip to Italy next week and this was very helpful. Any other tips you can give for first timers? For reference we are going to Venice, Florence, and Rome. Anything to see? Anything specific to eat or to avoid?
Hi. As an Italian, I would tell you not to expect everyone you meet to be so wonderful, especially in those three cities, which are loaded with tourists. I hope you enjoy your stay!
@@ssanti66 Perfect thanks for the advice!! I’m really excited
Also, when you try to speak some Italian, make sure it makes sense. Like, Ciao makes sense because you are greeting someone. However, listing foods from a restaurant menu is not a way to show off your Italian. I have met several foreigners going "ayyy pasta, mozzarella, pizza, peperoni!!" Unless you are actually ordering all that food, you shouldn't walk around and tell it to random people 😆
Damn, that was my plan
Great video! Thanks for sharing!
I found your travel channel by chance and am enjoying it. I Subscribed. Been to Thailand yet?
I would honestly just avoid wearing sports shirts or hats in Europe as a tourist personally. There's too much chance of annoying someone and you look like a mugger's wet dream too.
I think most locals won’t care if you have a cappuccino any time of the day. But having it, or coffee, with a meal is a dead giveaway that you are a tourist. Also, 2 things that are frowned upon in Italy are spitting and burping in public. You will rarely see this and it’s mostly from tourists.
And eating and walking. Only tourist eat while walking. No italian buys gelato and starts walking around with it.
Me, being so confused by the idea of Italian-Finnish food...do they put marinara sauce on the karjalanpiirakkat? Salmiakki flavoured tiramisu?
And now I want pasta. And it's 11pm here in South Australia.
Well buddy, you won't believe it, I'm Italian and reading your comment I want spaghetti too... and it's exactly 11pm here in Rome...
@@MilesNauticus At least where you are it's doable. I live on a houseboat in a rural town called Younghusband. I use to live in Melbourne and we had some unbelievable Italian owned restaurants. Here it's my cooking. If you don't mind be asking, where are you from?
@@grantleyhughes I'm italian and live in Rome, I'm a former petty officer in the Italian navy. I have visited many Australian ports, Melbourne included, when I was on board a cruiser in 1988 to partecipate the bicentenary celebrations. I was 19 years old, what unforgettable memories and experiences in that far away Australian world.
@@MilesNauticus That would have been amazing. We have an ex Australian navy officer here in the marina. The stories you guys can tell. I was an officer in the British army myself for a time. The Belfast time wasn't good, but the rest was interesting to say the least. Rome is very much on my short list of places to visit. I'd like to go all over Italy. Also starting a course to learn the language so I'll be able to talk to locals more. I go for the people more than the tourist attractions.
8:53 - never had this issue when ordering Cappuccinos after 11am, in either Milan or Genoa, this past Sept.
Happened to my wife and I, waitress started making fun of us in italian with another patron (who non stopped stared at us giggling) (I speak italian). Then she ordered a waiter to serve us our check as soon as our cappuccino was brought to the table. Very immature.
Did you say something in Italian? I hope you did when leaving so they can feel how immature they were.
Best Gulasch (w/fried polenta slices) I've ever had in a restaurant was in Bardolino (Lago di Garda). Regarding "there is more than Pasta&Pizza" 🙂
Also, garlic bread is not a thing here, so don't ask for it
Say “panini” (plural) to designate 1 panino (singular)
My kryptonite is eggs - un uovo and due uova, I always mix it up and say uovi 😃
@@robertcapek2425 I do too, mostly when I talk about chocolate easter eggs for some reason. I say "gli uovi di Pasqua". In Tuscany we also say "orecchi", "ginocchi" and "ossi".
Osteria Del Fortunata sta il migliore cibo della citta di Roma. La pasta e moltissima bene.
Osteria del Fortunata ha il miglior cibo di Roma. La pasta è buonissima 🙂
another thing Americans do in Europe that europeans simply can't understand is ordering food and then asking for substiutions - for them, if you don't like or can't eat an ingredient, just order something else. Touristy restaurants will try to humor you, but smaller places and more "autoral" chefs and kitchens will find it nonsensical and childish, even, in some cases, borderline offensive.
(oh, and definitely grated cheese doesn't go on fish or seafood pasta)
It's actually not true at all. We have friends that own a restaurant not in Italy, but frequented in the summer by lots of Italians who are on vacation, and they are constantly trying to order substitutions.
@@JayandSarah well, there are all kinds of people in all kinds of places and exceptions do exist! That doesn't mean that it's not true at all. 😺
I speak a bit of Italian and I’m a dual citizen. 99 percent of the time they will appreciate you speaking Italian but will reply in English. 1 percent of the time, and this happened to me at Palazzo Pitti, I had a barista yell at me to speak English. He was a huge jerk that didn’t want to humor my admittedly bad Italian but everyone else was super nice. Also Prego almost a universal greeting over there not just “ your welcome “
I always try to speak the language, and it's so bad that they immediately switch to English 😂
Pretty much all of Europe is like that lol. Locals appreciate the effort
there usually is one main reason: if your fluency is low enough, they will try to make the communication easier by switching to your language, if they (think they) know it well enough.
If that's done cordially or contemptuously can be guessed by the non-verbal cues.
I’m American and I also cook from scratch. I respect all people. I also see people from other countries making many mistakes in America, so what they are visiting and learning. Enjoy life.
And all Americans feel the same way? That's why this video it's important, not all people take things lightly
such an american comment
@@jaep2495. Too many people like to lump all Americans together in one pile and say “typical American “.
I do speak Italian, and the natives really seemed to appreciate this and were extremely helpful when I had conversations with them in Italian. However, some women would correct my grammar if I happened to make a mistake, but I think they were just trying to be helpful. At least I spoke fluently enough for them to think I was worth helping - probably.
Sometimes ya just gotta put the stranieri in his place when he starts showing off
Hey Walter, Pertaining to weather and cost. What is the best time to visit Italy from the U.S?
It Depend on what you want see and where you go, but in general avoid August, it's hot as hell, overcrowd and ovepacked whit turists and in the two middle week Italy basicaly shotdown.
For me april-march and September are more livable.
Thank you Mark for your excellent videos, you'll always welcomed in Italy. Do you think one day it will possible to ban O**ve Garden? Or at least abolish chicken on pizza or pasta?
Asking someone if they are in the mafia is probably the most offensive question you can ask in Italy, so do not do it, even as a joke. It is not funny.
After reading all the comments, does Italy not put ice in coffee? I drink ice in coffee on hot day s and warm days 😱 what will I do 😱😱
Italy 🇮🇹 is the best country in the world. Ciao from Italy 🇮🇹 😊😊😊
The best Tomahawk of my life was cooked in Rome. Pasta is their signature but they know how to make other great dishes. Go and not only try pastas.
That first example was heartwarming :3 These cross-cultural misunderstandings can pretty amusing. I can imagine a situation where Wolter, being an outgoing and unfailingly considerate American, wanting to show his gratitude for his Italian friend's invitation to eat with them by helping pay for their meal. Meanwhile his Italian mate is just "what are ya tryin' say, that I can't afford to take my friends out for food?!" xD
The point about the north/south divide of Italy was a salient one. I'd say it's good practice to learn at least a little of the history of whatever region of Italy you're travelling to, because regionalism is fairly serious business in the Apennine Peninsula. It's only relatively recent in history that a unified contemporary nation of "Italy" came about at all, having been made up from a staggering number of independent city states and principalities to form the country we see today.
Hahaha... thought the same. I love Italy, but I am an introvert, and Italians are very difficult to keep on social distance. But I like Italians and Italy too much anyway. But for living I prefer a quieter place.
Don't think I'll ever visit Italy. But thanks for the video (:
In Rome if you invite it is not expected that you pay, you can do it, but it is not a must!
02:20 I know this problem from Roma, where my dad wear a baseball cap of AS Roma in a Lazio Roma district. But at most time the people know that you are tourists. Maybe you get a little joke about that. It is in Germany similar.
A rule that has served me well is when in someone's country always greet and thank in their language.
This should go without saying.
I always feel very guilty when I do not speak a country's language, but those two words go such a long way in terms of respect and courtesy!
One of my good friends in HS has a Dad that's from Florence. He was taking him shopping at the mall for school clothes. At the time, me and my friend went everywhere together, so I tagged along. He noticed that I was really interested in a pair of shoes. He asked my size and asked the worker to go and grab them for us.
In my family, when people offer to pay for something, we're taught that it's polite to say: "Oh, you don't have to do that" or "No, I couldn't accept that." When I said it, he got really offended and quickly corrected me. He said with a stern voice: "I know that I don't have to, I want to." I changed the way that I accepted gifts from then on. It's important to the person gifting, that you accept it and be appreciative. It's supposed to be fun and celebratory. You're not supposed to act like you're being a nuisance by accepting their gift immediately. I imagine this is true for a lot of Europe, and something to consider when visiting.
One thing to add if you enter a small shops (negozi) it is considered polite to ask to look around if you don’t know the words just say posso and spin your finger around or point to your eyes. Most tourist areas have come to expect people just walking in to peruse the shop but they consider it rather rude Italian are a very polite society.
Engrave initials on the Colliseum.
...to be arrested.
Offering to pay or to pay a portion is likely not rude, but if they insist on paying,...As is true nearly everywhere in the world.
I dressed as a backpacker in Italy and people where friendly to me. However, I did not make friends, likely because I was not there for long, I was mostly in super tourist places and I traveled quickly.
Are you from Belgium, I noticed your son had a Belgian soccer jersey?😊
🙂🙂 great video... But if I ever go, I know not to say "my hero is Leonardo Bonucci.." 🤣🤣😂🤣. I have a crush on him.
Is there any Italy south of Tuscany?
You’re awesome don’t say that about yourself ❤
I find not having a cappuccino after noon in Italy to be surprising, considering that in France it is very common. Perhaps this is only in southern Italy?
I was waiting for the one of cappuccino after 11 am... It's simply not true. I drink cappuccino whenever I wish and it's just fine! Maybe at the end of a dinner late at night is not common to ask for it, but even then, the restaurant won't tell you nothing and will just do it!
Where does the south and north start, exactly?
Usually, Rome is seen as the central line (just a rough sketch). Therefore, Naples is south, whereas Florence is north
@@luke211286 that was my assumption. My guess was also that Rome was considered north by the southern parts.
Sud di Roma, tutti Africani !😊
Simplest explanation: south of Rome is southern Italy, north of it is North. But it's simplistic.
Medium explanation: everything geographically north of San Marino is Northern Italy, everything between that and the line cutting Italy from Rome through L'Aquila is Central Italy, everything south of that is Southern Italy.
Complex explanation: you are clearly not ready for it yet.
Your comments about the mafia brought back memories to a college exchange trip that I had in 1979 to Japan. When I told my counterparts that I grew up in Chicago, the immediate thing that came to mind for the Japanese students about Chicago was Al Capone. 😂 Interestingly, my grandfather was a milkman in Chicago in the 1920s and 1930s, and claimed that he delivered milk to Al Capone's house. They lived about 2 miles from each other, and I have no reason to doubt my grandfather's story.
We had a guy come to school one day and mention how he was taken prisoner in the Battle of the Bulge. On his birthday. When his pow camp was liberated by the Russians, they asked him where he was from. He figured if he told them Iowa, they'd have no idea where that was, so he said Chicago. He said their eyes got big and they were like "oooh, Chicago, gangster, bang bang" 😆