How to be more Italian! (In Italy)

Here are some tips I've learned since moving to Italy. Guilty as charged to most of them, but trying my best to adapt culturally to my new home!
If you want to improve your Italian language skills, try using italki to find a great Italian tutor for you, for virtual lessons! Use my affiliate link to get $10 in credits to use for your first lesson:
www.italki.com...
Join my PATREON community, The Quirky Club!: / katiequinn
Order my book: CHEESE, WINE, & BREAD - www.katie-quin...
Get your free Sourdough Pizza E-book when you've preordered my book: a.pgtb.me/c3mBM
SUBSCRIBE to my monthly newsletter: eepurl.com/dNtAx2
Never miss a video when I upload! SUBSCRIBE to my channel: cutt.ly/gkwFgM3
INSTAGRAM // @qkatie
PODCAST // Keep It Quirky: www.keepitquirkypodcast.com
FOR MORE INFO // www.katie-quinn.com
A bit about me: My name is Katie Quinn and I'm a video journalist, writer, and food enthusiast living in southern Italy. On this channel I make videos about life, travel and delicious things. I post every week, and of course, I #keepitquirky :)

[@TheQKatie]

For exclusive recipes monthly, pizza night livestreams, and lots of other goodies, join my PATREON community, The Quirky Club!: www.patreon.com/katiequinn Per ricette esclusive mensili, live streaming della pizza night e tante altre prelibatezze, unisciti alla mia comunità PATREON, The Quirky Club !: www.patreon.com/katiequinn

[@ancomarzio8190]

heeeey, Katie, 7:07 ma infatti voi americani siete più generosi, purtroppo noi non salutiamo e non facciamo facilmente amicizia con gli sconosciuti, e siamo un po' più inibiti in generale, ma beh, ci sono tanti altri lati positivi! ;) noi temiamo che se uno sconosciuto ci ferma o ci saluta, abbia semplicemente cattive intenzioni, sia un seccatore, un molesto o un accattone

[@ancomarzio8190]

non perdete mai la gioia e la meraviglia di stare in italia! 😳

[@MrUsermister]

Sorry Madam ... how to be more Italian ??? who do you think Italians are ? Some kind of cartoon or fictional characters ??? You can't use the expression ITALIAN like an "adjustable" parameter, like how to be blond-er or how to be tall-er ... Talking about stereotypes and prejudices ...

[@ancomarzio8190]

@@MrUsermister bro, stfu Her love for Italians and italianness and her creativity don't need to be pulluted from sterile and flattening polemics such as yours Do people think that all Italians are Mario eating pizza? Hell yeah that's a great way to give a soul to a people, a characterization Stop with the Twitter-like 14 year old hysteric whining, bro, that'd only flatten her nice creativity

[@FedericoSpada13]

About number 8, it's good practise to say "salve" or "buon giorno" to people who you meet on mountain paths

[@michelelaraia7358]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@combatjeyj6234]

Verissimo(so true)! Otherwise the awkward silence makes both of people walking by each other uncomfortable

[@ElizaBez]

And also "buondì" in the Dolomites lol

[@doccal5896]

Io lo dico in ascensore, e a volte, ardisco, anche al mare.

[@michelelaraia7358]

3:51 Vino a Trani e' pure un cognome/surname-last name.

[@lukebeich]

A bit of trivia: the reason why 17 is an unlucky number comes from Latin, since with roman numerals 17 is XVII. But that is an anagram for VIXI which in Latin means "I lived". And if you livED, it means that you are not alive anymore...

[@antoniodettoli2845]

Grazie per aver colmato una mia ignoranza

[@trygveskogsholm5963]

That is so indirect no one would ever figure it out unless they were told.

[@MarcoBissacco]

Bellissima! oltretutto ha un significato ben meno fumoso di tante altre credenze

[@TheQKatie]

🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@frrusc1]

Comunque io il 17 non esco di casa....

[@marriusmal]

Your italian level is already quite impressive for living in Italy for just a few months. Pronunciation on point, just a few mistakes you're doing a great job. Keep up the good work!

[@TheQKatie]

Grazie. Sto provando!

[@marriusmal]

@@TheQKatie Figurati. Le cose giuste!! Ho bisogno pure io di migliorare il mio inglese ahahah. Comunque mi sono iscritto :).

[@cannetara]

😆😂🤣

[@giancarlocerza9159]

brava

[@enricofabbiani93]

“Italy is not only pizza and pasta” (standing ovation) 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@TheQKatie]

:) :)

[@margotmargot4426]

indeed, she might have overlooked, things like the roman empire, the Church, the renaissance, music, arts, etc..

[@giannicolombo3993]

Yeah, there are thousands of different dishes in Italy from North to South.

[@brandonlee747]

It pretty much is though.

[@cri7249]

Sai che scoperta

[@zanizone3617]

"Fare tredici" (making a thirteen) refers to the Totocalcio lottery, where you bet by putting on a ticket the results of all 13 matches of that week's first series soccer tournament (serie A). If you guess correctly the results of all 13 matches you win the jackpot. It happens pretty rarely so the amount grows from week to week, and it's usually in the millions. So, as "fare tredici" can set you for life, it is used figuratively just to mean that.

[@orianaglamiastoria4483]

And I'd like to add why 17 is bad. It's a Latin tradition. In Latin numbers 17 is written XVII, if you shuffle it you get VIXI that means "ho vissuto", "I have lived". It'd be like saying "I'm not alive any more, I'm dead". So that's why we don't like 17. Moreover, lot of times you won't find it as a room number in hotels or as a place number in theatres or cinemas.

[@lucafusillo5987]

Hi, italian here, just wanted to make aa few corrections: -the glass of water you get with coffee is actually to mouthwash AFTER you drank your coffee -it is pretty normal in Italy to walk inside a "bar" (cafe) and politely ask if you could use the restroom. 99% of the times they will let you use it (for free). I usally try to at least buy something like a pack of chewing gum or something before asking, to be polite, but it's not that weird if you don't.

[@Yiannis_Voyia]

My friend luca, what do you mean the glass of water is for mouthwash? You put the water into your mouth, you wash your mouth and then spit the water? In Greece we drink water with our coffee because coffee make you thirsty

[@ryol6048]

@@Yiannis_Voyia it's just to wash away the aftertaste of coffee.

[@reezlaw]

@@ryol6048 why would you want to wash it off though. I'm Italian and a lot of people drink the water beforehand just like she said. Keep in mind that this is also a regional custom that varies wildly across the peninsula. In Milan most of the times you won't get the water at all, unless you ask for it

[@ryol6048]

@@reezlaw l'Italia è così diversificata che è impossibile dare una risposta giusta.

[@gobbidimerda1]

Ma cosa dici? L'acqua è da bere PRIMA per pulirsi la bocca e gustare al meglio il caffè

[@anvi3728]

Non è vero che non si può ordinare un cappuccino il pomeriggio... lo choc per gli italiani è vederlo ordinato dopo i pasti al posto del caffè

[@bellissima78]

Finalmente! Speravo di vedere un commento del genere.

[@puisnode]

o, peggio, durante il pasto!

[@TheMule71]

È così. Alla fine di un pasto decisamente non ci sta. Se uno straniero lo ordina sicuramente il cameriere come minimo esita. E comunque non è solo un discorso legato al latte, se si ordina un caffè macchiato non ti guardano male, anche perché nulla impedisce di avere qualcosa a base di latte come dolce. Come merenda, cappuccino e brioche è un po' strano, ma non credo che il cameriere ti tiri un'occhitaccia.

[@badipaddress]

Tipico tedesco il cappuccino dopo il pranzo :)

[@bonfire50]

@@TheMule71 è un discorso che se lo ordineranno una volta a fine pasto, poi capiranno perché non si fa. A spese loro.

[@girasolemree3418]

I am from Calabria I moved to the USA when I was 5. I picked up the English language easily and very quickly. We spoke Italian in the house though, that was a rule my father was very adamant about. As I was growing up and friends would come over to my house they would listen to my parents as they spoke to each other. Very soon after a few minutes they would whisper in my ear and with a worried look ask if my parents were arguing with each other.

[@michelelaraia7358]

🤣🤣🤣🤣Even Harry Wayne Casey had a Calabrese grandfather.

[@domeniobattinelli7391]

ahahahahah mi hai fatto sbellicare :) saluti da Napoli!

[@mygetawayart]

one extra thing for you guys from an Italian: never, EVER wish someone a happy birthday BEFORE their birthday, it's fine if it's late BUT NEVER EARLY, it's considered bad luck or something, idk we grew up with it. I get a little chill up my spine whenever i see foreigners wishing happy birthday before the actual date and the person whom they're talking to cheerfully thanking them....it feels so strange to me. Never do that here!!

[@TheQKatie]

Haha good to know!

[@lisapiselli2176]

I never knew that. Thank you!

[@helljoll478]

The problem is you could actually die before your birthday, so it's better don't wish anything in advice... Ahah

[@paca7429]

Si, can agree on this one. Underrated comment lol.

[@ilbrasciolarochearrostelac8762]

Si, si dice che porta sfortuna.

[@alessioartioli3323]

Very accurate video, as an Italian I do agree with you 100%. Just a couple of things to point out. When it's about the lunch/dinner time, there's a difference between the north and the south. You're living in the south, so what you say is correct, as in the south people have lunch/dinner a little bit later than in the north. Where I live (Modena, in the north) to have lunch at 12:00/12:30 is not that strange, as well as to have dinner at 19:30/20:00 while in the south this might look strange and too early. Finally, the "ciao" thing is totally true, you almost never say "ciao" to somebody you don't know or you're not familiar with. You can use it if you're an elder person addrssing yourself to a very young person (e.g. you're 60 yo and you're talking to a 20 yo guy/girl), in this case, even if still not that "polite", it might be considered accaptable. The "ciao" is always acceptable when an adult is addressing himself to a child/kid, even if they don't know each others. The "salve" is the perfect replacement for the "ciao", it is considered quite friendly but at the same time perfectly respectful. This beacuse the "salve", coming from the latin word "salvere" (which means "to be in good health") is a kind of good wish towards the other person. It's like if you're wishing "good health" to the person you're talking to. This meaning was almost lost during the centuries and nowadays "salve" is just the replacement of "ciao", when you want to be friendly but polite and respectful at the same time towards a person you don't know.

[@bellissima78]

💯💯💯 "Ciao" is rather rude to say to someone you don't know. Anyway, I'm in Veneto and it's normal to say "buongiorno" to random people you may pass in the street. And we have the same hours as you for lunch and dinner.

[@michelelaraia7358]

Io Salve lo dico spesso e in Marina a Manfredonia nel 1991 avevamo i pasti proprio ai primi orari che tu menzioni.

[@petera618]

When visiting my relatives in Sicily, lunch was usually at 14:00 then a "siesta" and dinner at 20:00 and we weren't off the table until 22:00. Love the south!

[@alessioartioli3323]

@@petera618 in Spain this is the normal routine

[@michelelaraia7358]

@@petera618 and Sardina is your surname.you had the latest lunchtime.

[@pippocannelunghe1411]

It's true, in Italy it's friday the 17th the unlucky day. Some people also consider unlucky friday the 13th but it's just because of the influence of hollywood movies.

[@pile333]

Right. Actually 13 is traditionally a lucky number in Italy.

[@Gigi_Latrottola]

I heard that Friday the 13th it deals with something about the Knights Templar...

[@adeliomoro2069]

@@Gigi_Latrottolait's The Last Supper again, it was the Friday before Easter and there were 12 Apostles with Jesus that makes 13 on Friday it comes from there

[@Noname-xi7xi]

Rest assure, no one is making fun of your pronounciation because you're simply so brave to dive into a new culture with such enthusiasm that you deserve only respect, not everyone is capable of doing what you do....brava, continua così!

[@thenineofgossamer]

I think your Italian for a 6 months being here is SO GOOD, I LOVE ITTTTTTTTT!

[@TheQKatie]

Aww 🙏 grazie!

[@paolomonai9511]

@@TheQKatie I can't believe....have you been in Italy for only six months???Your Italian is incredible good...congratulations. I am struggling to learn English from my childhood and I know that I make a lot of mistakes...

[@stefanogabrielli7130]

La tua pronuncia dell'italiano è molto, molto buona. Ci sono americani in Italia da decenni che parlano con un accento più marcato del tuo 👍

[@TheQKatie]

Aww ☺️

[@Strap89]

first rule: do not order a latte, you will get milk here 😂😂😂

[@TheQKatie]

hahaha true!

[@iiAngelic]

Hi, what do you recommend to order if you just want a balance of milk and coffee as a just beverage?

[@Strap89]

@@iiAngelic hi, well if you are talking about milk and coffe, then you you can choose from 3 options: - cappuccino: this is a breakfast beverage, is creamy and has the famous foam on top. this is served in a 250 ml cup - latte macchiato: means "stained milk" and is more similar to your latte. is just a 250 ml cup of milk with a shot of coffee in it. you will not have the foam on top, is just milk and coffee . this is also for breakfast - caffè macchiato: means " stained coffe", if you order that you will get a shot of coffee ( 75 ml cup, same cup that we use for the espresso) and they will add milk until the cup is full. this is not only for breakfast and you will see many people ordering it at anytime of the day, is just considered the same as coffe. just keep in mind that the cup is a 75 ml shot cup if you are interested on other things that we usuallly add in coffe, well here you are few of them: - caffè corretto: this is a shot of coffee (espresso) were they will add alchool, you can also choose what to add , if you just say "caffe corretto", they will add "Grappa" in it, but it depens from the bar: some will add sambuca or Brandy and in some regions of italy they have a characteristic regional alcohol for it ( in Marche for example, we usually add Varnelli that has a similar taste to Sambuca, it has the main taste of anise) - caffe al ginseng: espresso with ginseng, that's it

[@PaulGoss]

I remember many years ago ordering a pepperoni pizza in Italy. The pizza had sliced peppers on it rather than meat as we have over here. The waiter was happy to get me another pizza but it was my mistake so I didn’t want to make them waste food, at their expense, on my behalf. It’s also an example of learning the language by making mistakes.

[@ajrwilde14]

@@Strap89 helpful!

[@mjordan812]

6 years in Italy with the US Air Force between 1968 & 1978. 6 of the best years of my life. Great country and people.

[@TheQKatie]

Amazing!

[@robertomarino5756]

spero tu possa goderti un po' di tempo qui in Italia senza le restrizioni del covid, ti garantisco che è 100 volte più bello viverci ^^

[@goodboy65]

Permesso di dice anche se entri in casa di qualcuno oppure se entri in un ufficio tipicamente con la porta chiusa. La scena è questa: bussi toc! toc! e dici "(è) permesso?" La persona nella stanza chiusa risponderà "avanti" a volte aggiungendo o sostituendo con "si accomodi" oppure "entri pure" nel caso di una casa di amici diranno "avanti" e/o "accomodati" e/o "entra pure".

[@DottorIndigo]

As an Italian, I can actually endorse and confirm most of these advices. It isn't a perfect video, but it can help greatly, I can really see you've been learning a lot about Italy. Good job!

[@TheQKatie]

Grazie 🤩

[@Nivola1953]

A major cultural shock for UK and USA citizens is the availability of alcoholic drinks, all day long and in the same places where they sell espresso. Even McDonald serve beer in Italy. The problem of alcoholism in very limited in Italy. In Italy and France employees can have beer an wine, with their meals in the factories canteens. Even Ice Cream bar have alcoholic license to serve “gelato affogato” “drawn in either espresso but also Cointreau, Grand Mariner, Amaretto, Whisky and lemon sherbets with vodka, but you’ll find cocktails only in high class venues in large cities. Enjoy your drinks Italian style, no binge drinking, no beer or wine quaffing contest , with moderation and appreciation of the flavours, products of culture and love for good stuff.

[@TheQKatie]

I love this!

[@eva1601]

whaaat mc Donald's doesn't serve beer in the UK and the US? I think it's served in most places in the EU wow

[@elsafranco7407]

I am Italian and I totally enjoyed your video. Brava! Being from Florence, I loved the way you pronounced "Firenze": I noticed that Americans pronounce the consonant "z" differently from Italians. But it's cute!

[@Tore1960]

Riguardo i gesti. Ovviamente molti italiani li usano ma sono di più quelli che non usano farli. Comunque molto di meno da quello che si aspetterebbe uno straniero che si basa sugli stereotipi. Basati questi principalmente sui comportamenti dei meridionali. La differenza,semmai, è nel fatto che se anche non vengono usati, sono da tutti gli italiani comunque compresi e in casi particolari pure usati. Questo almeno per quel che mi riguarda personalmente e parlando da sardo

[@jakesmomforever]

Love your video. Have lived in Italy for 29 years and I still speak italian with my Boston accent. Lots of fun when I say cane (dog) or carne (meat). #8 In my small town (4200) people you better say ciao or buon giorno to everyone you meet or you will fare una brutta figura. quindi, Buon Giorno

[@kla40110]

Ok, I'm 29, Italian born and raised ... and I never, and I stress never, realized the ricotta=cooked again thing. Yes, I feel extremely dumb 😅

[@TheQKatie]

Glad to have helped!

[@paolomonai9511]

@@TheQKatie The same applies to "biscotto". It means "cooked twice". The word "bis" derives from Latin and means "dpuble". When you would like to eat, say, a second slice of pizza you can ask "posso fare il bis?"

[@destiny035]

Ever had a look at Tiramisu? :)

[@lucamacchi8218]

Hi! I have just one thing to say about the video: dinner time mostly depends on where you are in Italy, for instance if you are in the north it’s more likely that you’ll eat at 19/19:30, if you’re in the south it’s more likely that you’ll eat at 21/21:30. Thank you as always for the video!

[@tinalettieri]

Katie, your soul is obviously Italian and you are doing great with your pronunciation. The fact that you can rrrrrrrrroooooool your erre is a huge step.

[@enricocazzulo1083]

You're now really getting Italy and Italians! It's amazing to see how a foreigner, ehm, now a fully italian notices the little details we take for granted. Having lived for a bit outside Italy, I have to say I would like to greet every human being I came across during the day, with buongiorno and ciao but I guess it's just not a thing here. You usually say it to people you already know or you interact with but it would be nice not to ignore the others. Anyhow, keep up with the great work and enjoy spring and pasticciotti!

[@Nivola1953]

You should explain the Italian restaurant bill “il conto”. Typically we don’t leave tips for waiters, because there is a service charge called “coperto” for each person. It is also common to have a fixed item under “pane” that’s a one time charge for free flow of bread, probably pizzerias will not charge that. In most restaurants in Italy, it’s also common for the house to offer you a free round of liquor after you pay the bill, if you have totalled a good amount with your order.

[@adeliomoro2069]

No tips? Where? I always leave 10% to the waiters , the "coperto" doesn't make sense that money goes to the employers not the employees whereas tips go to them

[@HinnStormur]

Se vuoi lanciare mance sei libero di farlo, ma il concetto che ne abbiamo qui è totalmente diverso da quell oche c'è negli USA, questo intendeva, quindi in quel senso ha ragione. Non c'è nessun "obbligo morale" di farlo.

[@lupodelupis3672]

@@HinnStormur Se non lasci la mancia in America ti guardano malissimo, qui sono ben accette ma non c'è alcuna "pretesa".

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

"Coperto" is the cover charge. It is not the service charge. That is "servizio." Cover charge means you are paying for the silverware, tablecloth, napkins, and for a seat at a table. In olden days you could avoid that charge by ordering food to take home ( where you have your own table, etc. ).

[@peggyclio1199]

All corretc Katie! Tutto corretto, soprattutto la tua bella pronuncia delle parole con le "doppie"! Your anchestor will pride of you!

[@TheQKatie]

☺️☺️

[@ancomarzio8190]

i find so cute the tourists, especially americans, when they at the bar say "un espresso, g(r)azzie" it's called coffee, normally it'll be an expresso xD but calling it espresso is like going to a car saloon and saying i want a wheel-endowed car. espresso is implicit in the name coffee, just like car already implies "with wheels" xD

[@GhostSal]

Great video! Standing out as a tourist is also in the way you dress and act. For example it used to be if you (men) wore shorts, use backpacks or wear baseball caps it instantly gave you away as a tourist (now shorts are more common). At a restaurant some giveaways were if you were in a hurry, ordered a pizza to share (everyone should get their own pizza), if you left a tip (tips are automatically included in the price. Although, if you thought the service was great a 10/15% tip is acceptable), etc... On the subject of food, don’t order garlic bread, spaghetti and meatballs, “Italian” dressing (those are American foods, not Italian).

[@learnitalianwithitalianodo9341]

"Fare bella figura" non viene usato solo in riferimento all'aspetto di una persona quanto al comportamento, al modo di essere. Significa suscitare una bella impressione su qualcuno (make a good impression). Vorrei tanto provare i pasticciotti, sembrano molto buoni! 😋Hai una buona pronuncia! 👏🏻I tuoi video sono molto divertenti!😀

[@TheQKatie]

Grazie!

[@michelelaraia7358]

I pasticciotti sono arrivati fino a Dallas,vedi Little Big Italy.

[@michelelaraia7358]

Fare brutta figura=To make a fool out of oneself.

[@Sohappytoshowus]

Diciamo pure che bella figura non viene MAI usato in riferimento all'aspetto, di solito si puo' dire persona ben vestita, ben messa, di bella presenza o appunto di bell'aspetto.

[@adeliomoro2069]

@@Sohappytoshowus Not true, it could be used in reference to the way you look if you meet someone important to you and you're not dressed properly or if you have stains on your clothes that's a "brutta figura"

[@Lasergun74]

"Fare Tredici" relates to a kind of lottery we play on soccer results. There's a ticket we call "schedina" where you have to predict the winner of all the13 soccer matches of the weekend (Serie A, the major league, 26 teams -> 13 matches a week). For every match you have to predict who will win: team 1 (home), team 2 (guest), or you can put "X" if you predict a tie. If you get all the 13 results right, you win the jackpot. In the pop culture "Fare Tredici" extends to any lucky and unexpected event may happen to you.

[@arturoguglielmi6847]

Just a trick: in Italy, and in the rest of Europe, to do the number 3 with the hand we use the thumb, index finger and middle finger! Love your video, ciaooo from Puglia

[@Ziphozonke]

😅omg! I literally say ciao to everyone, my language doesn’t have R so for me it’s very hard to say buon giorno, i used to say salve but someone said “are you a grandma?” He said salve was used by old people. Learning so much from you♥️

[@margotmargot4426]

that someone doesn't know anything. Salve is always used as a safe way to address anyome that it is not your friend.

[@tinalettieri]

That's not true, at least not in the South. I spent 3 months in Catania and everyone said Salve. That thing that confounds me is scusi/scusa because scusa is third person and that is usually the formal form whereas scusi is second person and that is normally the informal form.

[@thecelentanohomerenovation9787]

Ciao, My wife and I just closed on a house in Abruzzo. We are about to go there to start renovations. We love Trani. Your videos are great. The adventure begins!!

[@gianlucarovere1014]

10. Italian's public bathrooms are bars. You can just enter one and ask to use the bathroom, every bar has a public restroom. Most of the times before using this service it is customary to order something cheap like a coffee (tipically around or below 1€) just out of courtesy and quickly consume it directly at the counter ("caffè al banco"), but it's by no way mandatory: you can ask for a glass of water if you will, which is tipically free.. ordering somehting before using the bathroom is kinda symbolic and just meant as a way to avoid entereing the place and heading straight for the bathroom, which would be considered slightly on the impolite side. So yeah, if you are a tourist and need to use the bathroom, just enter a bar and ask for it (extra tip: this may not work in super touristy spots just because of the insane amount of people asking continously for the same service and putting a lot of pressure on the staff, so better to select some quieter bar). Anyway excellent job on these tips and excellent fluency in italian!

[@fran365]

Nice video and quite helpful tips Katie. Above all I liked the one about using 'permesso' instead of ' scusi' when you you're making your way out of a particularly busy place. Using scusi or scusa on such occasion is indeed a bit misleading, unless you have stepped on someone's foot. In fact, we use 'Scusi' to get someone's attention for a number of reasons or when we want to apologise about something. And it's a good idea to remind that 'scusa' is informal and should never be said to strangers unless we are teenagers or twentysomenthing talking with peers. Formal Italian is what foreigners trying to speak Italian find more difficult to tackle. We certainly won't get offended if a foreigner says ciao instead of buon giorno o buona sera, but it certainly sounds strage (and sometimes annoying) from people we are not familiar with. The same thing can be said for ciao. It's quite a typical Italian word, but we don't say it to people if they're not young peers, friends or family. We Italians love our 'forma di cortesia', and use formal words way more often than in other languages.

[@Sam-bn7jk]

I have for you guys the explanation why 17 in Italy (and most mediterranean countries) is the unlucky number: in the Roman period, 17 was written XVII, which can be anagrammed VIXI, which is also a latin word that means "I lived" (so, it basically it means "i'm dead"). From there the number 17 gained its unfortunate reputation.

[@artmann7684]

So glad to have now found your postings and l am looking forward to catching up on them all. We're just now planning a trip to Italy for 4-6 weeks starting in September, 2022. Can't wait to return.

[@Sefse311]

pasticciotto stile di vita! io lo adoro e ho imparato a prepararlo! quando vai a Maratea prova i bocconotti! comunque ormai sei italiana al 100%!!! Comunque se va in un piccolo paese (molto piccolo), tutti salutano, specialmente gli anziani. Non esiste early dinner perché abbiamo l'aperitivo!!! A tip about cappuccino: if it is cold outside and it is afternoon (let's say 3.30pm-18.00) you can order a cappuccino and it would not look weird!

[@LordRemiem]

The water with the coffee divides Italy 🤣 in the south is very common to have it served, but I live in the very north and NO ONE (among those I saw) here gives you _free_ water with the coffee. You want it? You ask, you pay💲 About the dinner, I live in the north and we usually have dinner at 7pm :D when I'm hungry I can Deliveroo something at 6.30pm too

[@doc7440]

in Veneto is not water ;)

[@LordRemiem]

@@doc7440 in Veneto you are great people

[@sapinta]

@@doc7440 nor in Friuli :D

[@doc7440]

@@sapinta yep :)

[@glennredwine289]

Manual transmission vehicles are FUN!! Actually, you have better control of the car because you can brake with the engine too. You can also drive in the mountains faster because you can engine brake there too.

[@rpglene]

Enjoying your videos, as an Italian - American (father from the US) who grew up in Italy, so many of these things ring so true. When I was a kid, I used to have a game "spot the tourist" :D

[@francescapederoda5623]

Ciao Katie! Sto apprezzando moltissimo il tuo canale, da italiana abituata a vivere in una città esasperata dal turismo (Venezia) trovo davvero carini e utili i consigli che stai dando a chi vuole vivere un'esperienza più vera nel nostro bel paese!

[@michelelaraia7358]

Pasticciotto is from Lecce and has arrived,and succeed,as far as Texas!Check Little Big Italy,Dallas chapter.

[@jjbova]

We will be traveling to Puglia in 3 weeks! Thank you for the tips!

[@ilarialafortezza4552]

i have followed you for some time but not too long and I can say how you improved your Italian. like now you introduce the video in Italian and stuff. I mean, brava!! I can really tell that you're really trying to understand the language, the culture and this is not something that everyone does. so a big shout out to you for that 😄 keep going. continua così! 💪

[@TheQKatie]

☺️ grazie 🤩

[@bellissima78]

@@TheQKatie Yes, you're improving really quickly!

[@YouMeandSicily]

Pistachio / mandorla granita must eat in Sicily. Good recommendations!

[@tuxdude1]

I'm moving to Portugal next year, but please take my subscription! I'm planning on making an annual trip to Italy in my retirement and I find your content and style fantastic.

[@TheQKatie]

I love Portugal. Had a blast in Lisbon. Watch my vid if you want: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKTaooeldq1ojKs Can't wait to go back!

[@giacomobuoninconti]

Water with coffee is sure a tradition, but you can drink it either before or after. I always have my water after take my coffee, for example! Also, talking about milk: well, pure milk is usually associated with near-bed time, the morning (with coffee for the awakening) and the late evening (with honey, before going to sleep). Cappuccino is a sort of "milk with coffee" and the prevalence of milk puts this drink in the morning. Instead, we have "caffè macchiato" (coffee with a little of milk), that is usually served during all day! I really appreciate the video, btw! Nice job!

[@leonardog9165]

Prima quando il caffè è buono, dopo se è balordo...una buona arabica lascia la bocca dolce e pulita, un caffè a prevalenza robusta la lascia amara e impastata Saluti da un torrefattore

[@Enthcreations]

The usage of 3rd person singular when speaking with strangers is the most important element to be respected, because of by using it you'll show respect and formality to the person you're speaking with. Save, lei cosa fa qui? Instead of Ciao, cosa fai qui (tu).

[@chuckduzzie8529]

And I love the Italian lesson at the same time. 😁😁

[@losnupo2894]

I just love watching your videos. Watching you talk half english, half italian it's really funny 😄 Btw, after half a year (in this video) you're pretty accurate. And i'm happy you enjoy your life in Italy.

[@DirtyBob2001]

sour dough pizza! that's what i've been looking for. my dough needs something. i think that's the answer.

[@mystery_partner]

Ooh grazie per il tip number 2! Gli stranieri usano quel gesto come stereotipo mettendolo in qualsiasi frase. Invece ha un significato ben preciso. Ben fatto 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Ah, e grazie per pubblicizzare il pasticcioto della mia terra ❤️

[@danielesussarello8340]

Grazie per essere venuti in Italia!!! Dio vi benedica e protegga grandemente!!!!

[@giovannaf.77]

N.5 Coffee + Water ☕🥛 Not everywhere will you have a glass of water with your coffee. it depends on each individual area and region. Anyway, you can have a glass of water if you specifically ask it to the bartender. Italians usually drink water after coffee to rehydrate their mouth.

[@outis4]

Complimenti! Per essere in Italia da pochi mesi hai un ottimo italiano!

[@TheQKatie]

haha. Sto provando!

[@outis4]

@@TheQKatie stai provando e ci stai riuscendo molto bene :) lo "stronzo" in un altro video, poi... ormai sei praticamente italiana!

[@federicodradi9112]

Your videos are always very nice. Nice you speak Italian

[@paolocasale7726]

Fare tredici è storicamente legato al gioco della schedina in cui si devono indovinare i risultati di tredici partite di calcio. Per questo"fare 13" significa individuare i risultati delle partite e vincere una bella somma

[@Nivola1953]

Thank you for setting the pronunciation of bruschetta right! Whoa it was about time! Adding to it, no Italian would ever order cappuccino or any hot drinks on lunch or dinner. German typically like to do that, so Italian waiters will serve you without hesitation.

[@eva1601]

i think you misunderstood the bella figura thing. It just means "good impression" but that's it. it does not really require to wear specific clothes it is just about attitude. also I wouldn't say the concept plays a big role in our lives.

[@Sohappytoshowus]

Yes, she totally misunderstood the bella/brutta figura thing. It's totally unrelated to your clothes and way of dressing, it's about how you behaved in a specific situation (job interview, first time you meet your girl/boyfriend parents etc.)

[@nicodemogawronski2052]

Regarding the pronunciation of cities, especially Firenze, you will hear differently in some parts of Italy but remember that Z is sometimes pronounced as Z, DZ or TZ. I think the accurate way would be Firentze and not FirenZe or Firendze. Not sure If I explain this correctly. Different is with the city of Catanzaro where I think the Z is closer to a DZ. Again I am from Milan and in differen regions they might say it differently.

[@Lefleurdelys87]

I really appreciate your approach at our culture and your will to share your experience with your subscribers. Italian culture is often mocked by different countries in many ways, I hope that living here is letting you understand better how ancient it is, how diverse it can be from north to south, and that you can always feel as home here!

[@TheQKatie]

I'm so happy to be here, learning as much as I can!

[@gabriellaveneroni8651]

io vivo a Como e il cappuccino nel pomeriggio lo bevono in molti, me compresa. non a tutti piace il caffè nero.

[@TheQKatie]

Good to know!

[@andreascala2663]

@@TheQKatie anche a Roma te lo fanno tranquillamente quando vuoi

[@user-tl4ze2vq9i]

Just wanted to say, today its Friday 17!!!! Jokes aside, I am a southerner Italian and I love your channel

[@gabrieleriva_bboykappside]

Also the hand gesture is often used in wh- questions, mostly when surprised And, you have a great pronunciation for a year (at the moment I'm writing two) of being here, not that common

[@GiovanniTommasi-tourleader]

The Origins of Ciao According to La Gazzetta Italiana, "The word ciao, in fact, derives from the Venetian dialectal word s'ciàvo (slave or servant)". Originally, this term represented a servant's common way to salute and show respect to his master. By pronouncing s'ciàvo, or more specifically s'ciàvo vostro, he meant "I am your slave" or, in a less degrading meaning, "I am your servant." It was not until the late 19th century that the greeting began spreading throughout northern Italy. It went from 's'ciavo' to ciao, this led it to shed its demeaning background. Ciao is now used as a standard greeting between close ones regardless of their class or gender.

[@TheQKatie]

🤯😮😲🤯

[@vanessalatina6713]

I was born in New Jersey raised in New Jersey also raised in sicily ive been going to sicily since I was 9 months old until I moved there in 2007 I came back to NJ in 2010 haven't been back ever since

[@user-vc1cm3rh7e]

This is a nice video. I found it funny at times. I have to say, the way you pictured the country clearly indicates that you are in the Southern part. You will not have the same way of life in Genoa for instance, but it is a good piece. Well done.

[@rportanova]

Da italiano posso confermare che tu sei l’unica che parla davvero bene. As italian can confirm you’re the best in speaking Italian .

[@massimilianolucania9767]

Hi! I think the cappuccino thing is generally true, but I guess it’s mostly valid about having a cappuccino after a meal ( pranzo or cena); sometimes I have a cappuccino and a brioche or a cookie in the afternoon as a merenda, I see other people at bars doing this, but then again, it can be about regional differences as I’m in Milan and I’m not sure if it can actually seen as weird in the south. By the way, nice videos!

[@user-su8gp2yc6z]

I'm italian and I think your the best tourist who come here in Italy 🇮🇹

[@jfr7160]

Love it!! I’ll save this for when I start to plan for Italy again one day!!

[@TheQKatie]

Hope it helps!!

[@Sarahrwest]

I bought it! i cant wait to get it today in the mail!

[@eros7331]

3:00 it's real, we don't pronunce it like you, but so different.

[@frankbellio7321]

Ciao Katie. È bello vedere che tuo italiano sta migliorando così tanto, specialmente la tua pronuncia. Un'altra cosa rispettosa è dire "Permesso" quando vuoi entrare nella casa di qualcuno (da visitare). Di solito rispondono con "Prego". Quando ero lì nell'aprile 2019, una cosa che non mi rendevo conto che mi ha tradito come turista era il mio cappello australiano Akubra. Tutti pensavano che fossi un cowboy americano, poi hanno finto di sparare a tutti pensando che avrei fatto lo stesso. Ha detto che non sono americano (in inglese), poi ho detto che sono italiano (in italiano), nato a Venezia. Si sono subito dimenticati che ero un turista. Love your channel. Keep it quirky!

[@TheQKatie]

Hahaha che storia!!! Grazie per la visione!

[@francescosilvestri6240]

Being italian, I sometimes have cappuccino or macchiato in the afternoon, but it definitely needs a justification (like "I didn't have lunch", or "I had the night shift last night and woke up at 2 pm")

[@gianlucaottonello4005]

Katie, be patient with you? Why? i wish i could speak english as you speak Italian just after, how many? 5 months..... GREAT!!!!

[@TheQKatie]

🤗🤗🤗

[@vassallo49]

Ciao (se mi permetti un saluto informale), Si vinceva con 12 e ancora più con 13 giocando la schedina del Totocalcio (una volta). In pratica vie erano 13 coppie di squadre di calcio incolonnate che giocavano a calcio (soccer). bisognava giocare entro sabato dato che le partite erano giocate domenica. Vi erano tre risultati possibili per ogni coppia di squadre, cioè 1-X-2. Se vinceva la prima squadra il risultato era 1, 2 se vinceva la seconda squadra e X se pareggio. Chi indovinava tutta la colonna vinceva con 13. Costava poco una semplice schedina, ma si potevano giocare con sistemi e chiaramente costava di più. Spero ti sia piaciuta questa spiegazione, dato che un pezzo della storia di questo paese.

[@Lupinthe3rd88]

Few thoughts: 1) Thanks for explaining this gesture correctly 🤏 2) Thanks for explaining the existence of the [k] sound (C+H) in food 3) The real strange thing is when you order a cappuccino at the end of the lunch. I saw a lot of german or swiss tourist doing that 🤣 I am from Puglia and sometimes in winter I happened to order a cappuccino in the afternoon. 4) The glass of water with the coffee is a southern thing, I usually drink the water after the coffee because I don't like having the taste in my mouth 😏 5) Thanks for explaining the restaurant hours. I remember the times when I had to explain it to tourists especially in the summer. 😂 6) I thought 'bella figura' ('make a good impression' expecially with the attitude) was more an international thing not an italian exclusive 😅🤣 So people in the US are just plain rude? 😄 7) We have always used cars with manual transmission (and much of the rest of the world) because gasoline has always been way more expensive here than in the US and the automatic transmission technology consumes much more gas the than manual one.

[@maurotdo-yt]

3) Don't worry about this. It's more of a cliché nowadays. It's not uncommon for some italians to have cappuccino in the afternoon too. Just try to avoid it at the end of lunch though :)

[@TheQKatie]

Thanks for sharing...and thanks for watching!

[@andreascala2663]

@@TheQKatie visto che vivi in Puglia hai provato i panzerotti il caciocavallo e i taralli o a Trani non si usano? sicuramente in zona Foggia sono famosi ....almeno secondo i miei ricordi giovanili

[@francescosilvestri6240]

Not bad for being here just 5 months! Great language skills there

[@TheQKatie]

Grazie!

[@stefania8292]

Wow i love your video!!! Hi from Brescia (nord Italy) 🇮🇹❤😍

[@joeneri150]

Getting a stick shift is good, it help improve your driving skills. Also, a lot of cars are better and long lasting when their manual.

[@zhijunjia170]

Hello,glad to see you, I love all your books.Have good day 🎉❤

[@bartolobartolotti4974]

Katie c'è una piccola storia che io credo puo mettere insieme la "bella figura", la cortesia, la storia dell'italia e della Puglia (e tante altre cose). Il protagonista della storia è un personaggio storico, nato in Puglia a Cerignola, che si chiamava Giuseppe di Vittorio sindacalista e politico. La sua è una storia molto interessante. Una delle sue prime iniziative, quando era ancora molto giovane, intorno al 1907, era stata di convincere i braccianti agricoli che vivevano nel suo paese ad abbandonare il "tabarro" (una specie di mantello tipico dei contadini) e la coppola. Infatti a quel tempo, solo i padroni della terra e le persone della classe media usavano indossare il cappotto. Non era "bella figura" per un contadino voler indossare un cappotto. Inoltre si aspettavano che i braccianti quando incontravano un padrone della terra, si togliessero la coppola in segno di saluto. Di Vittorio invece li convinse che non era giusta questa regola sociale. E che loro dovevano mantenere la loro dignità e non avere paura. Per questo molti comprarono un cappotto (che costava molto di più di un tabarro) e iniziarono a salutare dicendo "buongiorno" ma senza togliersi il cappello. Era il primo passo per chiedere di essere rispettati come lavoratori ma prima ancora come persone.

[@elishevastarzynski9010]

Sono rimasta scioccata quando hai detto che vivevi in Puglia! Solitamente non ci sono tante persone che vivono in questa zona! Sono felicissima anche se un vago dubbio mi era venuto quando avevi nominato la focaccia!

[@ignisvis8867]

13 is bad luck in Italy if you are at a dining table, since it reminds of the last supper. I remember my grandma adding a chair and a plate to the table to make it 14, even if it nobody would sit there. I guess it's something that less and less people care about nowadays

[@piazzollalucagordon4149]

"Salve" comes straight from ancient Latin (not ecclesiastical one) verb "salvere", which means "to be healthy". It's the last word of the locution "vale atque salve" (farewell and be healthy). It's one of the few words still untouched from those times. Btw, 2:55 you're doing GREAT, if I may give a tip try to cut the consonants' suspension (here you are speaking like it's written "Milanno", you kinda have to throw that second N away, same goes with "vino", it's not "vinno") I'm very happy, more than proud, seeing your actual love and interest in our patria :) Hope I wrote in a decent English :D

[@jennifernelson9461]

The reason not to say "ciao" is not because Italians don't say "hi" to everyone, it's because "ciao" is a familiar greeting to people with whom you use "tu" as opposed to "Lei." One of the most surprising things I learned when I first lived in Italy is how formal the culture is. I know some people who don't even use "tu" with their mother and father in law, even after years of marriage to their spouse! I found it best to err on the side of formal, saying "Salve" or "Buon giorno/buona sera" unless it's crystal clear that I'm on a "tu" basis with the person. I wouldn't say Ciao to anyone working in a shop, bank, etc. unless I had established a "tu" - level friendship

[@francisbegbie5102]

This is 100% true. But let me say that the fact that it’s not normal to say “ciao” to everybody is absolutely correct. If you walk in the street and a person you do not know say Ciao to you, you wonder “what does this person want/do we know each other”?. Moreover, one of the few circumstances that I can think of in which we greet each other among strangers is that of excursions: if, for example, we meet on a path in the mountains, greeting each other is almost obligatory so as not to be rude.

[@jennifernelson9461]

@@francisbegbie5102 yes, thank you for clarifying. My point is that there are two separate issues in the "ciao" observation by Katie that I think she conflates: 1) don't say hi to everyone; 2) don't say "ciao." Her observation comes across as: Italians don't say hi to everyone, therefore don't say "ciao" to everyone. The underlying reason not to say "ciao" is not that you shouldn't say hi to everyone, it's that you shouldn't say "ciao" to people you don't have a "tu" relationship with. That Italians don't say hi to everyone is a separate issue and also a good thing to keep in mind.

[@francisbegbie5102]

@@jennifernelson9461 i don’t know what she meant but yes, they are two different things and are both good to know!💪🏻👌🏼 Just wanted to add that I know many people who do not use “tu” with the mother/father of the husband/wife even if they have known each other for 40 or more years!

[@francisbegbie5102]

@Thomas Hellberg only if the girl is very beautiful

[@TheQKatie]

Good point!

[@daniellekubrick2915]

Thank you for the bathroom tip!

[@johnoliver2022]

I am Italian and I have never used your gesture you have shown at the begin. Your Italian pronunciation btw is really good ! Congratulation !

[@spencer97m]

One little modification: The reason to stamp a train ticket is to make it so that it can't be used again. If your ticket is for a specific train, date and time (as is the case if you've reserved a seat), that ticket can't be used for any other train trip, so no need to stamp it.

[@domenicoradogna839]

Thank you for remembering that i can't find pasticiotto in north of Italy (or actually as you said is nearly impossible) :.(

[@emanuelepetrilli90]

We ❤️ you Katie!

[@TheQKatie]

Grazie!

[@fabiofileri2872]

I love your videos ... when someone explain what they learn of a culture it tell something about their culture and habits! Speaking on habits and food what intrigues me is why is so hard to explain to foreigner why we care about recipes? For example cream into carbonara ... in this case simply if you put in carbonara some cream you don't understand how cooking carbonara works. is an very simple recipe but is not that easy make a very good carbonara (the eggs in a carbonara are half cooked by pasta's heat). Food is part of our traditions and culture, here in Rome there are recipe that could be ancient even more tha 2 thousand year. Il pangiallo (yellow bread) is not easy to find today but if you can find it (or if you make it) it still is yellow (because religious celebrations ) as in ancient Rome.

[@nihatnl747]

Nice video, thanks!

[@petergeorge4415]

I am learning...ITALIAN right now!!! I dream on going to visit (and stay a little) Italy!! Thank you SO MUCH Ms Katy for your lovely help! helene :)) (Quebec, Canada)

[@alesooner]

Also for us sometimes there are stranger things in the culture and habits from southern to northern. Also the dialetto (slang) is various from province to province, not just region to region. We have a very complex country 😄