YEAH !! Before I came to Sicily, (we are here for a month) I said to husband, it would be so nice if I would bump into Eszter from You me and Sicily and there it happened in Ortigia! So nice to meet you!! Love all your video's!!! Keep them coming!
Thank you both for another informative and inspiring post. I really enjoy your channel and your approach. We spent 3 weeks last October exploring the eastern half of Sicily and fell in love with this beautiful land and its people. We can’t wait to return. God bless you both!
I'm just catching up on my favorite You Tube weeklies, that was a fun one & informative. I am not active Catholic anymore but wouldn't mind covering shoulders still. As a girl in the 60's we had to wear doilys on our heads. Thank goodness, they stopped that requirement when I was in junior high, which was early 70's for me. Thank you two!
I like them too, the accent is a grind, sounds Bostonian but I haven't been to America for many years, and my tastes are more Hawaii somewhere tropical.
I was born in Sicily (Bagheria) and raised in Brooklyn, and I have been coming to Sicily since the early 70s. I have seen all the changes. Ester and Alfredo, you both give great advice. I am not a kisser, however, but occasionally with dear friends or famiglia I will give a peck here or there. I do speak Italian and Sicilian rather good (although I only speak Sicilianu with old school Siciliani since the language is not spoken as fluent as it once was). So, to the person who told Alfred that Sicilians should learn English to communicate with others--NOT in Italy, and especially Sicily. Americans get a bad reputation because they're so demanding. You do not get free refills in Sicily, folks, so don't ask. If you happen to get ice in your beverage, don't complain that it isn't the ice that you are used to. Also--complaints about Italian beer. Italians are known for their wine; Germans are known for their beer. If you don't like Italian beer, buy one that you like. They have all types, even Corona (Mexican) or American. So don't make a long complaint about Italian beer. Here is another one: when dining out in a restaurant, do not blow your nose in the cloth napkins. That is disrespectful. Keep in mind Sicilians are extremely passionate. They get offended easily. They do have both a strong love and hate for Americans. Even Italian-Americans who visit the Island that tell Sicilians their grandparents are from this town or that town. They do not care! To local Sicilians, if you're not a born and raised Sicilian, you're not Sicilian. They laugh when Americans say, "I am Sicilian." You do not know the cultura--culture--language or understand the heritage. Even though I have made the mistake while writing this, an Italian and Sicilian are two different ethnicities. A true Sicilian will never say he is an Italian. Mi trovu assai divertito dai tuoi video. Curativi!
Most Europeans use English when they travel. A Dutch person or German for example who is visiting Italy will use English when they are in Italy. It it’s important for Italians who work in tourist area to speak English. My father was born and bred in Sicily but I don’t use dialect, I speak Italian which of course everyone in Sicily understands it was law that Italian was used officially and in schools since the 1930’s
I use Pamper baby wipes for removing my makeup. Lotion first then using the pamper baby wipes to remove makeup leaves my skin feeling fresh and never dry. The Pamper Baby disposable wipes are great for traveling for all kinds of things. Additionally, carrying a disposable washcloth when traveling to Sicily is a great idea. I believe Rick Steves recommends this as well when traveling to Europe.Thank you for mentioning the part about not touching the food products while at a food market. After all, Americans like to touch everything when shopping.
They are called Baby Wipes in Australia, and since I am over 70 and a grandfather of 14, I don't need them for babies, I use them to clean around my house. At the supermarker everyone touches fruits and vegetables, it is normal here in Australia, but food stalls, not really.
Sicilians are the most relaxed and casual with regards to how they dress. Just to clarify shorts are definitely worn by Sicilians throughout the summer but they dress for the season so when Autumn arrives they swap to long pants and jackets. It’s a bit silly and not healthy to not dress for the weather but it’s a long entrenched habit there.
We used to tip regularly when we'd come on vacation, but now that we live here part-time it feels weird to tip all the time so instead we'll tip our favorite waiters when we've had an especially nice night. A couple of our regular restaurants actually will discount our bill and then for sure we tip our waiter.
We are hoping to find a small place to buy in sicily so we can live 6 months in australia and 6 months in sicily. We have been watching your videos for a few months now so know that you have great contacts and advice. I hope we can catch up when we arrive in november Cheers sonya and salvatore
Tipping is an USA cultural phenomenon in Australia we don’t tip and we haven’t tipped here in Italy. Speaking to Italians they say tipping is not common and they never tip so I think you make your own choices.
Good evening Alfred and Ester. Always love watching your videos on my hometown of Catania and country of Sicily. Do you think the language being spoken now in Sicily and in Catania compared to the 70’s reason I ask that is, I was speaking Sicilian to everyone when I visited in July for the first time since I left there as a young kid in the 70’s. Some people from Catania didn’t understand my Sicilian. That was strange to me.
That's what happens when you migrant and absent for a long time. I was born in Malta and I don't speak the language at all, I can understand some of it, but the modern language sounds different, the way the vowels are pronounced. I guess it is a good thing everyone speaks Engish.
Ezster your coffee cup matches your top you’re wearing. How’s that possible?😊 I want to ask you why they still use so much plastic in Sicily? In a coffee shop you get water in plastic cups and for eating they serve plastic plates a lot. Why? I love your content ❤
Crossing the eating utensils in America let's the waitstaff know that you're not finished with your meal, but you said that in Sicily that means you're finished. Interesting. Here in the US when you're finished you place the utensils (fork and knife) at the 9 and 3 o'clock position.
We sell hats on our You Tube store. And more too like aprons. You Tube makes them print on demand. They all are high quality. I doubt they are Italian made. The vast majority of " Italian Made" caps are with imported material too. Our Amazon affiliate oils,food etc. located at our other store on Amazon all are Italian or the vast majority anyway.
@SalCatalfamo-m5r obviously, this is an old custom not used today except in a family setting with the elderly. As a youngster, we did this in my family. Perhaps it is a dying tradition, but I am no youngster either. For the holidays we did this when visiting elderly relatives. I remember my grandmother's brother in particular..
The arancina is from Palermo and is utterly different from Arancino wich is only FROM Catania. Let Palermo peoples eat them. We from Catania eat arancini (make gender) and..... trust me each bite you get in heaven 😉
How much is a rent in sicily I've been there 2 weeks ago I visited palermo cefalu favignana abd ortigia i fell in love with ortigia beautiful place. Which side of sicily do you live. Thank you
"...go to church and dress up..." after all you are entering the House of God. I learned this at a young age: Nobody goes to see a King or Queen in his ripped jeans. Respect is what it is called.
Alfred, I know you love to name your hat "cappidduzzu" but...... believe me, the fair name is "coppola". In Sicily, through the word cappidduzzu, one means, whatever kind of hat, of whichever shape (for the example baseball hat). Coppola has got right your hat shape and is pretty well one of sicilian simbolgy. Since ever mafia men in stereotypics wear the coppola. Don't get me wrong, obsiouly not only that men but all sicilians
Probably ,my family dialect. Yes, I know it is Coppola, but from New England we did not wear hats every day in the warm weather..only when the weather turned cold. As I got older, it was a baseball cap. However the style that I use that word was used by the immigrants. Ever hear of the word "backhouso"? Another immigrant word. Means "back of the house". This is a bagno located behind the house. Back of the house. Remember that many were illiterate people came to USA. They used simple Sicilian dialect instead if educated words. We used ,for example, Coppola to mean the top of a church or a steeple...
Alfred you made a real interesting question : why in average italian people doesn't speak english. Do you allow me asking you why in North Europe nation pretty much 90% of people can speak, and much it that even fluent English? Let me answer. It's just the education wich is offered to people. For example in Netherlands TV has got a double channel : in Dutch and in English. Childs grew up looking cartoons wether in their own language either on English! And on the school English is taught since the first class. Wheras in Italy and I please you to believe me, not even teachers know it properly, then you can figure out what kind of English can speak the learners. In Italy TV is showed only without exemptions in italian. My last daughter who was just graduated in high school speaks fluently but, her schoolmates can't speak nit even the most simple sentences. Once she invited some schoolmates and among of that there was a Germany girls who spoken perfectly English. Well, not one of them were able to comunicate.....and once upon again Italy should shame.
As far as tipping goes please don’t impose your tipping culture on to other countries. Do as the local do! Nobody refuses money but it’s polite to blend in to the local culture. Tip a few euro or round up the bill. Excessive tipping can have a negative impact on local wages
What we eat in Sicily: ua-cam.com/video/uDhefKM2TAg/v-deo.htmlsi=z68X0hYIVEx-xIju
YEAH !! Before I came to Sicily, (we are here for a month) I said to husband, it would be so nice if I would bump into Eszter from You me and Sicily and there it happened in Ortigia! So nice to meet you!! Love all your video's!!! Keep them coming!
YAY was so great meeting you!!!
Planning a family trip hope too meet up too
@@YouMeandSicilybeen watching you for some time would love to a gelato together
Thank you both…❤
Thank you both for another informative and inspiring post. I really enjoy your channel and your approach. We spent 3 weeks last October exploring the eastern half of Sicily and fell in love with this beautiful land and its people. We can’t wait to return. God bless you both!
I'm just catching up on my favorite You Tube weeklies, that was a fun one & informative. I am not active Catholic anymore but wouldn't mind covering shoulders still. As a girl in the 60's we had to wear doilys on our heads. Thank goodness, they stopped that requirement when I was in junior high, which was early 70's for me. Thank you two!
@@joycemajor2555 grazie mille!
Covering shoulders and wearing pants while in Church just shows more reverence and respect to God. Your vids are very informative. Thank you.
GRAZIE!
I go into churches to see the architecture and the paintings, not pay a visit to God, but yes where ever you are, be respectful.
Great video, as usual❤️
Thank you for this very useful information… it’s a big help for when I get to visit Sicily next year. ❤️
Love the content, another great video
Grazie !
I like them too, the accent is a grind, sounds Bostonian but I haven't been to America for many years, and my tastes are more Hawaii somewhere tropical.
NEVER order Capuccino after 12!!! It's consider a Morning drink! But even after 30 years in Italy...I still do! 😂Great advice!
I just have an Espresso, day to night.
Siete meravigliosi!
That is my favorite cap also. I am glad that you two like it. I
Your show is great. I still am learning after 30 plus trips to Italy
Ciao Daniel
GRAZIE ! www.WinesFromItaly.com
I was born in Sicily (Bagheria) and raised in Brooklyn, and I have been coming to Sicily since the early 70s. I have seen all the changes. Ester and Alfredo, you both give great advice. I am not a kisser, however, but occasionally with dear friends or famiglia I will give a peck here or there. I do speak Italian and Sicilian rather good (although I only speak Sicilianu with old school Siciliani since the language is not spoken as fluent as it once was). So, to the person who told Alfred that Sicilians should learn English to communicate with others--NOT in Italy, and especially Sicily. Americans get a bad reputation because they're so demanding. You do not get free refills in Sicily, folks, so don't ask. If you happen to get ice in your beverage, don't complain that it isn't the ice that you are used to. Also--complaints about Italian beer. Italians are known for their wine; Germans are known for their beer. If you don't like Italian beer, buy one that you like. They have all types, even Corona (Mexican) or American. So don't make a long complaint about Italian beer. Here is another one: when dining out in a restaurant, do not blow your nose in the cloth napkins. That is disrespectful.
Keep in mind Sicilians are extremely passionate. They get offended easily. They do have both a strong love and hate for Americans. Even Italian-Americans who visit the Island that tell Sicilians their grandparents are from this town or that town. They do not care! To local Sicilians, if you're not a born and raised Sicilian, you're not Sicilian. They laugh when Americans say, "I am Sicilian." You do not know the cultura--culture--language or understand the heritage. Even though I have made the mistake while writing this, an Italian and Sicilian are two different ethnicities. A true Sicilian will never say he is an Italian.
Mi trovu assai divertito dai tuoi video. Curativi!
Love everything about this thoughtful comment ! GRAZIE !
Most Europeans use English when they travel. A Dutch person or German for example who is visiting Italy will use English when they are in Italy. It it’s important for Italians who work in tourist area to speak English. My father was born and bred in Sicily but I don’t use dialect, I speak Italian which of course everyone in Sicily understands it was law that Italian was used officially and in schools since the 1930’s
I use Pamper baby wipes for removing my makeup. Lotion first then using the pamper baby wipes to remove makeup leaves my skin feeling fresh and never dry. The Pamper Baby disposable wipes are great for traveling for all kinds of things. Additionally, carrying a disposable washcloth when traveling to Sicily is a great idea. I believe Rick Steves recommends this as well when traveling to Europe.Thank you for mentioning the part about not touching the food products while at a food market. After all, Americans like to touch everything when shopping.
They are called Baby Wipes in Australia, and since I am over 70 and a grandfather of 14, I don't need them for babies, I use them to clean around my house. At the supermarker everyone touches fruits and vegetables, it is normal here in Australia, but food stalls, not really.
Sicilians are the most relaxed and casual with regards to how they dress. Just to clarify shorts are definitely worn by Sicilians throughout the summer but they dress for the season so when Autumn arrives they swap to long pants and jackets. It’s a bit silly and not healthy to not dress for the weather but it’s a long entrenched habit there.
Yes correct we spoke about it on the video !
Best UA-cam channel - love you 😀
GRAZIE !!!
I like your cup and your top Esther ❤
GRAZIE ! All Sicilian!
Love this channel really look forward to the videos! Much love from england
Ciao Cari 😊. Arrivo a Catania oggi, da Londra. Non vedo l'ora. Adoro sempre i tuoi video e voi due. Rx
@@MsWootywoo have fun!
Thank you for the tips. they are very useful. Much love 😊❤
the best restaurants in the Nebrodi, Sicily : Ristorante Val d'Orice (Tortorici) Antica Filanda (Capri Leone)
We used to tip regularly when we'd come on vacation, but now that we live here part-time it feels weird to tip all the time so instead we'll tip our favorite waiters when we've had an especially nice night. A couple of our regular restaurants actually will discount our bill and then for sure we tip our waiter.
Great Episode. Thanks!
@@dougstuart8553 grazie!
Great tips!! My go to instead of iced coffee, when in Italy, is granita di caffe (sometimes con panna). Delicioso!!!!
We are hoping to find a small place to buy in sicily so we can live 6 months in australia and 6 months in sicily. We have been watching your videos for a few months now so know that you have great contacts and advice. I hope we can catch up when we arrive in november
Cheers sonya and salvatore
Tipping is an USA cultural phenomenon in Australia we don’t tip and we haven’t tipped here in Italy. Speaking to Italians they say tipping is not common and they never tip so I think you make your own choices.
Correct. But US culture is the opposite and the average tourist usually can afford it.
Good evening Alfred and Ester. Always love watching your videos on my hometown of Catania and country of Sicily. Do you think the language being spoken now in Sicily and in Catania compared to the 70’s reason I ask that is, I was speaking Sicilian to everyone when I visited in July for the first time since I left there as a young kid in the 70’s. Some people from Catania didn’t understand my Sicilian. That was strange to me.
It's a totally different Sicilian. The older generation may understand you better.
@@YouMeandSicily Thank you. That’s what I thought as well.
That's what happens when you migrant and absent for a long time. I was born in Malta and I don't speak the language at all, I can understand some of it, but the modern language sounds different, the way the vowels are pronounced. I guess it is a good thing everyone speaks Engish.
0:32 0:38
Ciao! Let's go for a slice of pizza.
Ezster your coffee cup matches your top you’re wearing. How’s that possible?😊 I want to ask you why they still use so much plastic in Sicily? In a coffee shop you get water in plastic cups and for eating they serve plastic plates a lot. Why? I love your content ❤
Thank you ! Plastic cups, played etc is part of the culture. There has been a movement to lessen the use of it but slow to implement.
Buona sera
Crossing the eating utensils in America let's the waitstaff know that you're not finished with your meal, but you said that in Sicily that means you're finished. Interesting.
Here in the US when you're finished you place the utensils (fork and knife) at the 9 and 3 o'clock position.
9 and 3, well I have learnt something about American customs. In Australia it is more like 7 and 5
@@Ponto-zv9vf My brother lives in Australia, I'll have to mention that to him 🙂
Hi Alfred and Esther, do you sell Sicilian hats through your Amazon affiliate channel?
Are those produced in Sicily?
Many thanks,
G
We sell hats on our You Tube store. And more too like aprons. You Tube makes them print on demand. They all are high quality. I doubt they are Italian made. The vast majority of " Italian Made" caps are with imported material too. Our Amazon affiliate oils,food etc. located at our other store on Amazon all are Italian or the vast majority anyway.
Here is our store www.youtube.com/@YouMeandSicily/store
As an annual visitor to Italy and Sicily, I have never seen anyone kiss another person’s hand. Generally, people shake hands when they meet.
@SalCatalfamo-m5r obviously, this is an old custom not used today except in a family setting with the elderly. As a youngster, we did this in my family. Perhaps it is a dying tradition, but I am no youngster either. For the holidays we did this when visiting elderly relatives. I remember my grandmother's brother in particular..
@@YouMeandSicily you look like a youngster to me! I enjoy your informative show, and your willingness to promote our beautiful Sicily.
@@SalCatalfamo-m5r Grazie...
what is the link for the history of Arancini?
History of the Arancini and mores on street food here ua-cam.com/video/qWKuTPzaxHc/v-deo.html
I believe the best ARANCINA is round like the an orange. Arance means Orange. 😂
The arancina is from Palermo and is utterly different from Arancino wich is only FROM Catania.
Let Palermo peoples eat them. We from Catania eat arancini (make gender) and..... trust me each bite you get in heaven 😉
..... make gender (mistake)
MALE (sorry)
Interesting info on men hats, but what about women wearing hats in Sicily? Does color or time of year matter?
@@katiavandam8435 I wear straw hats in the summer and in the winter a fedora
0:10
upps, traditions are different ... depending in different regions of Sicily are...
What about the coperto?
YES we spoke about it !
@@YouMeandSicily I always had a feeling that the coperto covers the waiter's tips too
Coperto = Cover, A cover charge.
How much is a rent in sicily I've been there 2 weeks ago I visited palermo cefalu favignana abd ortigia i fell in love with ortigia beautiful place. Which side of sicily do you live. Thank you
We live on the East coast. Rent depends on size and location
@@YouMeandSicily thank you
"...go to church and dress up..." after all you are entering the House of God.
I learned this at a young age: Nobody goes to see a King or Queen in his ripped jeans. Respect is what it is called.
Alfred, I know you love to name your hat "cappidduzzu" but...... believe me, the fair name is "coppola". In Sicily, through the word cappidduzzu, one means, whatever kind of hat, of whichever shape (for the example baseball hat).
Coppola has got right your hat shape and is pretty well one of sicilian simbolgy. Since ever mafia men in stereotypics wear the coppola.
Don't get me wrong, obsiouly not only that men but all sicilians
Probably ,my family dialect. Yes, I know it is Coppola, but from New England we did not wear hats every day in the warm weather..only when the weather turned cold. As I got older, it was a baseball cap. However the style that I use that word was used by the immigrants.
Ever hear of the word "backhouso"? Another immigrant word. Means "back of the house". This is a bagno located behind the house. Back of the house. Remember that many were illiterate people came to USA. They used simple Sicilian dialect instead if educated words. We used ,for example, Coppola to mean the top of a church or a steeple...
Alfred you made a real interesting question : why in average italian people doesn't speak english.
Do you allow me asking you why in North Europe nation pretty much 90% of people can speak, and much it that even fluent English?
Let me answer. It's just the education wich is offered to people.
For example in Netherlands TV has got a double channel : in Dutch and in English.
Childs grew up looking cartoons wether in their own language either on English!
And on the school English is taught since the first class.
Wheras in Italy and I please you to believe me, not even teachers know it properly, then you can figure out what kind of English can speak the learners. In Italy TV is showed only without exemptions in italian.
My last daughter who was just graduated in high school speaks fluently but, her schoolmates can't speak nit even the most simple sentences.
Once she invited some schoolmates and among of that there was a Germany girls who spoken perfectly English.
Well, not one of them were able to comunicate.....and once upon again Italy should shame.
History of the Arancini and mores on street food here ua-cam.com/video/qWKuTPzaxHc/v-deo.html
Hmmm so no baseball hats then?
In season:)
As far as tipping goes please don’t impose your tipping culture on to other countries. Do as the local do! Nobody refuses money but it’s polite to blend in to the local culture. Tip a few euro or round up the bill. Excessive tipping can have a negative impact on local wages
Did you say "expresso"? Really??
...ssspresso. my Massachusetts accent
send a private message, if you want to get into contact....
Yes