Whether you’re going for art, architecture, food or wine, you’re sure to have the time of your life when visiting the beautiful city of Rome. Before you go, however, verse yourself on some of the cultural differences that might come as a shock to even the most well-traveled American.
1. There Is No Public Transportation.
Unlike most European cities, Rome doesn’t have a subway, underground or any reliable form of public transportation. It isn’t like they haven’t tried — it’s just that every time they start to implement plans for an underground, they find some ancient tomb or make some groundbreaking historic discovery that turns the would-be-subway into an archeological dig. Be prepared to walk everywhere.
2. Nutella is Life.
Unless you have a hook up at the American Embassy, peanut butter is virtually impossible to find in Rome. They do, however, have more nutella than you can possibly imagine, and they put it in everything they can. Learn to love it.
3. Don’t Ask For a Cup of Coffee.
In Rome, “coffee” is served two ways: a single or double espresso. If you try to explain the American version of coffee, they’ll serve you an Americano, which is a shot of espresso with hot water. They will appreciate it if you say that isn’t what you ordered.
4. Happy Hour At an Aperitivo.
Roman apertivos may be your favorite pre-dinner ritual after a long day of site seeing. An aperitivo is a small, laid-back, half-bar-half-lounge where you pay a set fee and get a drink with unlimited appetizers. The appetizers are small, so you won’t ruin your appetite, and the drinks are just strong enough to get you a nice buzz get your juices flowing.
5. Don’t Ask For Modifications To Your Order. Ever.
If you were at a friend’s house, you wouldn’t ask his mom to make you a special dinner, would you? Well, the same rules apply for dining out in Rome. Asking for a modified dish is not only an insult to the chef, but an easy way to make the wait staff hate you. Besides, when it comes to food, Italians know best.
6. Get Over the Idea of Personal Space.
It isn’t just something that happens in movies, Italians love to touch each other. When you meet someone, girl or guy, it’s customary to kiss on the cheek. If you enter or leave a group, it’s important to acknowledge every person before sitting down or leaving the party. We might think it’s weird, but believe me when I say not taking the time to say hello or goodbye is way more awkward.
7. Nothing Is Open On Sundays.
This isn’t an exaggeration – Sunday is not only a day of rest, but also a day to hang out with your family, and this tradition applies to everyone from businessmen to waitresses. Some of the more touristy areas will have a restaurant or two open during the day, but they’ll close before sundown to give their employees the break they deserve.
8. If You Go On a Date, More is More.
If you’re taking an Italian girl out, keep in mind the competition: it’s not for naught that Italians are considered the most romantic culture, and Italian men go all out when it comes to wooing their women. Dinner may be a standard American date night, but Italians top it with creativity and romance. Make it mushier than you would back home. After all, you are in Rome.
9. Go Easy on the Electricity.
Aside from Wi-Fi being way more difficult to find than you’d imagine, electricity is sketchy at best. Charge electronics at night while other electronics aren’t being used to ensure charging, and be careful about having too many things plugged in at once.
