How to survive in Italy as an American

You might’ve heard stories about how Italians hate American tourists
and because of that, you are afraid to travel there.
Don’t worry, they won’t hate you and it’s very easy to avoid cultural misunderstandings.
I’ll share you a few tricks on how to survive in Italy as an American.

Being a Finn myself, I can be a peacekeeping force between you and Continental Europe.
So here I am to help you out – telling you how to survive in Italy as an American.

I’ll give you some tips here to prepare yourself to be the most welcomed and loved American ever seen in Italy!

Rule number one, actually the only rule:

Behave yourself!

Sounds tough?
I know you are working hard on that part, but getting into a trouble anyway.

Do not be overly stressed about it, these just depend on the cultural differences and there are few tricks you can try to make your trip smoother.

For example, when you guys use mostly facial expressions, we Europeans tend to use our body to show what we are talking about.
You smile, we flail our arms like windmills, especially Italians do.
And I. That’s why my friends often say I should’ve been born Italian.

Anyway, you don’t have to learn all of the body language skills on your two-week holiday.

We all 51 nationalities and more than 700 million people in Europe use different gestures after all.
Though I am pretty sure that most of us know the meaning of the raised middle finger which you either wouldn’t use to greet your future friend.

I know you are trying to be as polite as you can, I have lived in your country after all.
But as hard as you try, you will surely make some mistakes and get into trouble and we Europeans will end up hating you as being rude and ignorant people.
Let’s try to avoid these clashes.

Importance of tipping less

That’s correct, less.
Do tip your waiter, hairdresser, and maybe a taxi driver, but less than in the US.

Most of the Europeans are proud of the fact that our salaries are paid by their employers.
As well as our sick leaves, maternity leaves, etc.

I know that you are giving your 20% as you are used to do when you get a good service.
But in Europe, you might get a nosy response.

Why?

Simply because they might think you don’t really understand the currency and pay overwhelmingly, or you don’t really like what you’ve got and show it by paying ridiculously too much.

Or locals might be worried that you paying too much, way more than the locals do, they wouldn’t be as welcome as they used to be in their favorite corner bar and it would turn into a tourist trap.
You could make locals unwanted customers with your friendly gesture.

This is not as big a deal in Italy as it is in countries with lower salaries, but good to remember.
So just round up your bill.

Btw, check up on that bill first.
In the restaurants in Italy, there is or is not a service included.

Check for the ”coperto” (cover charge) on your bill.
It’s usually something like 1,00 to 2,50 € per person.
Also there might be service included, commonly 10-15%.
This is quite common in expensive restaurants and yes, in tourist places.

If the service charge is included, then definitely do not add any tip on top of that!

Actually, you can check these extras on the menu before deciding to get in as in the EU area it is compulsory to write the prices on the menu, also in front of the restaurant.

Some Italian friends of mine hate this fixed-price service. They feel that they have to pay for the service even if it isn’t that good. I do agree.

The art of tipping is to follow the local habits.

Shouting out loud

So, I did stay one year in Cali and know how you Americans react to things when you are amazed, but most Europeans consider it as bad behavior to scream out your happiness.

Showing respect you are supposed to whisper how beautiful something is rather than turning on 95 dB and shouting to the entire Italy how AWESOME Italy is.

You don’t have to shout.
Italians already know how fantastic their country is.

Speak Italian

Until here you could be fine with my advice not only in Italy, but basically pretty much anywhere in Europe.
But now something that does only help you in Italy as most of the other Europeans do not speak Italian. What a pity.

Learn a few words and phrases and you’ll make many friends on your vacay.

Don’t worry if you sound like Brad Pitt in Inglorious Bastards pronouncing ” Buongiorno” with a wide Oklahoma accent, you will melt the hearts of Italians with your willingness to learn.
And hey, I am making a gazillion mistakes here writing in your language which isn’t my native language. Neither is Italian.

Some useful words and phrases in Italian

Greetings

Good morning = Buon giorno
Good evening = Buona sera
Goodbye = Arrivederci
How are you? = Come stai?
Thank you = Grazie
You are welcome = Prego
I understand/ I don’t understand = Capisco/Non capisco

Directions

Where is (the bathroom)? = Dov’è (il bagno)?
Railway station = Stazione Ferroviaria
Bus Station = Stagione degli Autobus
Airport = Aeroporto
Tomorrow = Domani
Right = Destra
Left = Sinistra
Half = Mezzo
Less = Meno
More = Più

Food & drinks

Breakfast = Colazione
Lunch = Pranzo
Dinner = Cena
Could we make a reservation for the table please = Potremmo fare una prenotazione per il tavolo per favore
(I have) a reservation = (Ho una) prenotazione
To Drink = Bere
To Eat = Mangiare

Water = Acqua
A one bottle, please = Una bottiglia, per favore
Class/two classes of white/red wine please = Un bicchiere si vino bianco/rosso, per favore.
One/two beers please = Una birra/due birre, per favore.

***

And now pay attention!
If you ask for a Latte, do you know what you will get?
Right, a glass of milk and only milk.
That’s what latte means in Italian.
If you want also coffee with your milk, ask for a Caffè Latte.

Paying

Check, please (when paying) = Il conto per favore
How much is this (price)? = Quanto costa questo?
Do you accept the credit card = Accettate carte di credito?
Stamps (as for postcards) = Francobolli (Is anyone sending postcards anymore?? Let me know in the comments!)

I know, you are struggling with the Italian language, but don’t worry, my Italian too is on a Brad Pitt level. You’ll be just fine!

Say that Buongiorno in any way you’ll manage and they’ll love you for trying!
Italians ain’t going to bite you, after all, they have their own gourmet to eat.

Go and try it yourself!

Read more tips for traveling in Italy

• 3 Tips Where to Stay in Rome & What to Eat
• How to get in and around Italy
• How to dress & dine in Italy

Where to stay in Rome & what to eat

Buon viaggio!