Strange habits of Italians: leaving the car anywhere and not leaving a tip (13 photos)

12 strange habits of Italians that other people do not understand.





Dressing is a way to show respect

It's not just about respect for others, but also for yourself. Italians will never go out wearing dirty or wrinkled clothes, a worn sweater or scuffed shoes. They are always dressed to the nines, no matter how expensive the things they buy. The main thing is that the appearance is well-groomed and tidy. Even at home, they try not to wear old things, but to buy beautiful clothes, so as not to be considered ignorant in the eyes of their neighbors. Interestingly, 50% of Italians follow fashion and current season trends, regardless of age and income.



Mess on the roads

Tourists from other countries who rent a car in Italy often later say that there is complete chaos on the roads: no one follows traffic rules and speed limits, people can cut off, run a red light and turn off without turning on the turn signal. It would seem that then there should be a lot of accidents in Rome and other cities, but this is not so. Maybe Italians have their own driving principles, hidden from foreigners?





Mama's boys

Mom is the main woman in the life of an Italian man, and this boundless love is mutual. An Italian mother is ready to wash, iron and spoon-feed her son until old age, and therefore men often do not get married until they are 35–40 years old. They build a career, get an education, travel and develop creative skills, and also lead an active personal life in an eternal search for the one who will be like his mother and can completely replace her. But even when the son finds a companion, mom will remain in first place.



Flirting is not flirting at all

Love is in the air in Italy, and people feel it. They give compliments, exchange smiles, handshakes and long glances. What would be considered flirting for us, for Italians is the norm of non-verbal communication. They are used to loving and immersing themselves in a relationship completely, so they clearly show their sympathy for another person. At the same time, many Italians are monogamous: having chosen a companion, they will remain faithful to him.



High tactility

Italians love touch. This is so familiar to them that they don’t attach any importance to it. People can easily shake hands, hug and exchange kisses when they meet, and we are not just talking about friends of opposite sexes. If, while in Italy, you notice two men kissing, you should not immediately draw the wrong conclusions: these could just be close friends, and such an expression of affection is normal for them.



What did you have for lunch

This is the most common question after the usual “How are you?” To many foreigners it seems strange and even inappropriate, but for Italians it is the best way to show concern for a person. At the same time, they will never judge your culinary choice, but will listen carefully to what and where you ate, and then they will definitely recommend a new place where you can taste a tasty and satisfying dish.



No tips

But what is not customary in Italy is to tip waiters, bartenders, and taxi drivers. The fact is that they are already included in the invoice for the service and are designated as a “service fee” (Italian coperto). If you leave more money, the Italians will be extremely surprised or consider you a bad mathematician. If you want to express additional gratitude, then express it in words.



Quiet time and individual schedule

From one o'clock in the afternoon until three o'clock you can see many people sleeping on the streets. They, like pigeons in parks, settle down on benches, steps of stairs, near fountains and monuments, or simply on lawns and instantly fall asleep for a couple of hours. Neither city noise nor annoying tourists with cameras can stop Italians from relaxing during the daytime, so that they can then get down to business with renewed vigor.

But while you can still get used to this “sleepy time,” the free work schedule confuses all foreigners. Sellers may close the store early or not go out at all on some day. Markets may be closed a couple of days during the week, as may restaurants or nightclubs. At the same time, there are no rules or systems, and therefore it is better to find out in advance how the establishment you want will work.



Boundless politeness

Italians really dislike two things: awkward situations and being known as bad hosts or guests. For this reason, they will apologize even if it is not their fault, come to visit only after an invitation, and be sure to offer more food, even if everyone is full. And Italians will turn any quarrel into friendly communication - it’s always better to make a new friend than an enemy.



The one who stood up first gets the slippers

If in one of the bars in Italy you saw an even line of people peacefully waiting for their turn, then these are tourists just like you. Real Italians won't wait patiently, but crowds will shout their orders to the bartender to get a cup of coffee for lunch or a glass of wine for dinner. Are you thirsty? Learn to scream and get your way! This applies not only to bars, but also cafes, shops, markets and other places.



Drop the car wherever it's convenient

Chaos on the roads smoothly flows into a parking mess. Italians can leave their vehicle where it is convenient for them, and they will not worry about whether it is in the way of other motorists or passers-by. But this “transport policy” worries only foreigners, while Italians do not pay attention to it.



Fear of drafts

At any time of the year you can see Italians wearing scarves - from warm stoles to light silk scarves around their necks. And the point here is not at all about fashion and boundless love for accessories: this nation is terribly afraid of drafts. It is believed that even a slight draft can cause a cold, sore throat or pneumonia. For this reason, even in the heat, they try to protect the throat and neck - the most vulnerable places.