How should I act when visiting Italy?

Basic Etiquette
  1. It is common for Italian friends and families to kiss on the cheek when they meet, irrespective of their gender.
  2. Stand up out of respect when an older person enters the room.
  3. It is important to dress neatly and respectfully.
  4. Cover your mouth when yawning or sneezing.
  5. Hats should be removed indoors.




People Also Ask

How To Avoid Sticking Out Like a Tourist in Italy
  1. No Cappuccino After 11:00AM. By far, this goes down as the number one rule in the Italian handbook. ...
  2. Cheese And Seafood Do Not Mix. ...
  3. Don't Out Think The Room. ...
  4. Embrace the Culture and Customs. ...
  5. Choose Your Words Wisely. ...
  6. Speak Italian!


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7 Things To Know Before Traveling to Italy: From Planning to Packing
  1. Don't rely on your smartphone for maps (all the time)
  2. Remember to validate your train ticket.
  3. Be careful with the 'daily specials'
  4. Pack light.
  5. Avoid restaurants with servers waiting outside.
  6. Buy your tickets in advance.
  7. Carry cash, as well as a card.


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Since every region of Italy accepts the euro (including the Vatican City and the Republic of San Marino), you shouldn't have too much trouble managing your money.

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In general, Italians respect Americans and always welcome them as friends. They adore the curiosity of American tourists in regard to experiencing Italian culture, and they love the way that Americans enjoy their food.

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DO dress a little nicer than you would in America. There is no dress code when going to most restaurants but you might receive some funny looks if you show up in sweats. Dressing well is respectful and you'll want to try to blend in with the locals.

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If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.

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Passports and Visas Only a passport is needed to enter Italy from the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and other European countries. No visas, no vaccinations (unless you're traveling from a known infected area). Getting through customs is typically a lax affair, with the customs officers barely taking notice of your presence.

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  • Eating Chicken with Pasta.
  • Serving Everything on the Same Plate.
  • Ketchup.
  • Drinking a Cappuccino After a Meal.
  • Asking for Non-Italian Dishes.
  • Sprinkling Parmesan on Everything.
  • Dipping Bread into Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.
  • Drinking Anything Other Than Water or Wine With Food.


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You can wear shorts in Italy and look perfectly normal. I went ahead and packed three pairs of pants and three pairs of shorts. I am so glad I decided to pack some shorts! On the first day, I wore some light khakis. We went to the Vatican and found that there were plenty of men wearing shorts.

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Meat of any sort including chicken or pork products (fresh, packaged, canned, vacuumed sealed, jarred) is not allowed. US Customs is very strict about this. Liquid milk and liquid dairy products – Not allowed unless intended to be used as feed for infants and children (butter is allowed).

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You should carry your passport with you while traveling in Italy because it's the law. You may be randomly stopped by officials and asked to show your passport. You shouldn't leave it in your hotel. You should use a travel safe bag to store your passport in and keep it in safe at all times.

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You can provide proof that you have sufficient financial resources to fund a trip to Italy in one of the following ways: Bank statements. You must provide an original copy of your bank statements issued within the past month. The bank statement must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank official.

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