5 Things to Know on an Italian Vacation
Italy is a wonderful country; friendly people, delicious food and sunny days… STRESS IS NOT AN OPTION. That is what Italians call “La Bella Vita” the “Good Life.”
Here are some things that Italians want you to know:
Language Barriers and Translating Devices. The majority of Italians, especially the elderly, do not speak English. However, if you know Spanish you have an advantage since it is very similar to the Italian language and they will understand you. Bring a pocket dictionary with already translated sentences will save you time and frustration when trying to get around. Or download the Google Translate app on your phone; just by taking a simple picture of a sign, the app will translate it for you.
Cash Cash Cash. Most Italians pay for things on a day-to-day basis with cash – from their morning coffee to dinner that evening and everything in between. Therefore a good part of the stores and restaurants are skeptical when handed a credit card and many won’t accept it if the bill is under 10 euros. As a side note, if paying with a card they may ask you: “Carta o Bancomat?” Which means “Credit or Debit?”
Concept of Time. Time in Italy is approximative; if somebody tells you “I will be there at 3 pm” they will probably be at least 30 minutes late. Italians aren’t wedded to the clock. Trains don’t run on time, stores don’t open exactly at the scheduled time, an hour meal may take three hours, walking fast is not an option. So don’t freak out if your train is not there or if the waiter doesn’t bring you the check right away…just relax and accept it.
Waiters at a Restaurant. In America waiters come to check on you 90 seconds after depositing a plate in front of you, wondering if “everything is okay” and once it looks like you’re close to being done they’ll leave your bill on the table for you to take care of at your convenience. In Italy waiters will come to check on you only once or twice during your meal but they will come to you only when you call them. This is not the waiter being rude. This is the waiter letting you enjoy your meal and your dinner conversation for as long as you want.
Afternoon Closing. Italians need their daily break. For lunchtime everything shuts down. Many shops will close down for the afternoon from 1:00-4:00 p.m., especially outside the city center. Italians go home to enjoy lunch as a family and relax/nap.