This is the first I’m hearing that “ciao” is rude.

Hello and thank you for this lovely video. Last year I was in Italy at this time and nowhere could I find any interest in "La Befana". Not Naples, Tuscany or Rome. No dolls or anything. They told me she was no big deal anymore. 🤔

Lunch finishes at 3/4?? Mayve a wedding lunch..in the North you hv 45/60 minutes lunch break ( sometimes even 30 min( and nowadays most shoes don't close for lunch!!)

I come from the most Northern region of Italy and the alcohol consume is a bit more out of control than in other areas 😅

Being a tourist in Italy is stunning. Being a resident of Italy is a nightmare for many reasons, 1st of all because is a lawless country.

All correct. Good job, dude.

When leaving "arrivederci" is always a good way to greet people

buonasera's used for good afternoon as well, after 12 noon...

In the EU, over 59 million tones of food waste (132 kg/inhabitant) are generated annually (Eurostat, 2024). So think twice about leaving food to be tossed out in a restaurant the next time you go out and eat. Take it with you or ask for half the portion!

That’s because the North is so Germanic

9. DRIVING - a disproportionate number of male drivers secretly harbour a belief that they could/should have made it in Formula 1. You and your car, therefore, are merely an obstacle to their continual obsession with passing at all costs. As they disregard most laws and common courtesies (lines, what lines; speed limits, HaHa) and linger inches from your rear bumper at highway speeds, just take a deep breath, give them room and cheer them on (or flip them the bird on their way by) - but let it stress you not!

When you enter you should say buongiorno or, in late afternoon, buonasera. When leaving you cam say arrivederci, (to when we'll see again), corresponding to see you later.

You are so diplomatic, Patrick. :)

Flattery… very important and useful. Thank you!

Grazie! Excellent summary 😊

Mindset is so true. I lived in Florence and I have lived in Sicily...sooooo different! They will talk about each other with a slight nose-up air, at times. LOL I loved both places, but Sicily stole my heart more. They were just so much more open. One golden rule to getting in is to be respectful. Always, speak when you make eye contact or walk into a business and bring patience. Do not rush Italians. Also, at least learn the pleasantries if nothing else before going to any part of Italy.

Thank you for the information it is very helpful as I'm going to try to learn a little Italian before visiting Sicily next July.. Can't wait to experience a little bit of italy 😍 Grazie

Don’t wear short. #5. Everyone wearing shorts. 😆

Good video. Well done.

I try really hard to learn basic travel phrases and use them appropriately. My pronunciation may not be the best, but I get pretty close. The problem comes in when you ask the question or use one of those phrases and the other person starts asking you questions or talking to you in fluent Italian and you just look like a deer caught in the headlights because you have no idea what they said to you. And then I end up feeling stupid. This happened to me once when I called for a taxi. I asked for two taxis and a specific train station in Italian and I could tell they were asking me questions but I didn't know what they were or how to answer them of course. I ended up asking a store person to help me. He was pretty rude about it but he did it. So, any advice for what to do in those situations?

Italians are awash in excellent wine however they seem to drink less than other European nationalities. Good for them!

Well done, I hope lots of Americans watch this!

Great advice from a vet from Napoli

Great tips! DO learn a few words, but just as important, do your best to pronounce them correctly! Making the effort to properly say Grazie (not "gratzee"), Buon giorno (not "bon") etc. will go a long way towards your having a great experience.

Thank you for this little guide to Italy. As an Italian, I appreciate the respect you show for our country, its people and their ways. Those who will follow your advice will enjoy being respected and very welcome tourists. I agree with most of what you say, but I would like you to observe better people who are queuing up for whatever it may be... they do, sometimes, have a small conversation with a stranger, or exchange a smile or an "uffa" expression referred to the waiting ; it isn't considered bad manners, and most people don't mind being spoken to. Have a nice day!

I am Italian (Veneto Region) and I can basically confirm everything you have said. I would only add one thing: we Italians are generally well-disposed (is that how you say it?) towards everyone, but we can't stand rude people. The "cafone" n Italy almost always gets an equal and opposite reaction. Be polite and respectful (even with monuments) and everyone will be friendly to you.

Italy sounds lovely.❤😊 Greetings from South Africa.🙂

I'm in Rome rn, there's 38 degree celsius with 90% humidity, no way I'm gonna wear long pants. I don't have a single friend regardless of social class, that wear anything other than shorts during the daytime and possibly at night too. Maybe only if you are invited to a fancy restaurant or a night at the opera. In the south (i'm from sicily) we pride ourselves in being able to wear short for three quarter of the year. The entire idea of italian being obsessed with fashion is one of the most stereotypical BS I see spouted on YT. It really stops to No naked torso in city centers, possibly no pajama out of your house. That's it. Kids gonna be kids and dress exactly like kids in the UK or Germany, we have all the subcultures you can expect coming with their looks, you'll come to Rome you'll see punks, bboy with baggy pants, emo with fishnets and what not. I'd avoid blanket statement, hell I literally only wear short and vans, my favorite brand is Volcom or a dixxon flannel, F*ck Armani and all that crap

Nowadays you do not pay any extra if you sit unless you want waiter's service. So order something at the counter and than bring it to a table. NO extra charge.

Improve your "r" pronunciation. It is really awful the way you say !! it is not a rolling r, it is more a hissing ... similar to Japanese.

Buon giorno is the greeting, buona giornata is the "goodbye "

The Pimsleur audio course of Italian that I am listening to now clearly says "mUlto", not "mOlto". This is confusing. Also, most videos on KZbin about Italy feature this phrase: "Parla Inglese?" The Pimsleur course instructs that "Inglese" is just an adjective, while "L'Inglese" is the English language. Confusing again.

We need a law that prohibits foreigners (Americans) from walking around in oversized clothes and slippers/flipflops/crocs with white socks and Hawaiian shirts.

I’m in Italy now in Abruzzo and I see lots of Italians wearing shorts and even sports wear. Also, many people are saying ciao in shops etc. I think some concepts of this video need updating.

Been practicing those Italian knocks!!! Smashed it baby!!!!!

Italians view being hungry as a minor medical emergency. In an Italian eating establishment, you will be served very quickly, but in a ristorante for example, no one will try to turn the table. It’s yours.

Ben fatto.

As a young woman, I was put off Italy for life by the attitude of men - who felt free to touch and pinch my bottom. There seemed to be men on the street and women nowhere to be seen. I still feel sick thinking about them.

Finally someone who talks about serious things and not just food, what an obsession! Io sono di Roma but I feel I can speak on behalf di tutti gli Italiani by saying that in our wonderful country culture and education are very important aspects as guests of our Country. Being polite, kind and respectful of each other is fundamental per noi Italiani. As a first suggestion to those who want to come and visit L’Italia would give as a first suggestion to find out about our history, our culture and the way of being kind and respectful with the locals and then to worry about the Cappuccino or the Pasta alla Carbonara (which does not everyone likes it, even if it seems like we eat carbonara all the time 😅). Thank you Patrick for placing the emphasis in all your videos on the polite way of relating to us natives, we pay a lot of attention to this and will hardly be rude to those who appear kind and respectful while we will be poorly disposed towards the rude and arrogant and this it applies to everyone, even among Italians themselves! ps. It's very noticeable that you have a more in-depth cultural education! 😅🙏☮️

Rule number one! You should not give a fuck. Just fuck everything. Think only about yourself. And with one rule you become an ordinary Italian.

Be polite anywhere.

Quite accurate, but on working days lunch is between 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm and is dedicated to your meal. Aperitivo will take place from 7.00 pm onwards.

As a young child I was frequently ill. My parents did not imbibe. When my Dad would take me to visit my Italian grandparents they would send him on an errand and present me with a small glass of my grandfather's red wine. They'd say, "Drink, it's good for the blood" in their Italian accents. They wanted me to be healthy! My dad figured it out and told my grand parents to stop.

brazil = italy = lovely mediterranean mess

Italian men really know how to dress well. I can't say the same for the Americans.

SOOO TRUE. LOVE ITALY(10 VISITS AND 5 YEARS RESIDENT) RESPECT AND ENJOY!!!!!

I was relieved to learn that Italians don't use as much garlic as Italian Americans do. I prefer it as a part of the flavor of a dish, not as the only flavor in a dish.

Mindset, Dress, Paseggiata, Italian Traditions, Socializing, Waiting!Greetings, Bongiorno, Buona Sera, Grazie Mille, Smiling☺

Very useful information. Thank you. Greetings from a Melanesian living in Holland.🌞