You know how they say… differences are what make the world interesting and fascinating!
Relocating in a new Country will allow you to discover a new culture and different ways of life. However, in some cases you might run into habits that at first might seem strange, even shocking sometimes. So, in order for you to be ready, here’s a list of the most common cultural shocks a foreign national can meet in Italy.
The most shocking Italian’s behavior for foreigners is the extroverted and explosive way of interacting with others. Italians seem to not know the concept of personal space and even if you are a complete stranger, they surely greet you like an old-time friend! Many complain that they can be intrusive by asking personal questions, or that they can be physical when conversing. We can assure you that it is not a fault of respect – on the contrary, for Italians is a way of demonstrating affection and courtesy.
Italy – together with Spain – is a slow-paced country. This means that the rhythm of life is slower and so, dinnertime is quite late. This custom can be shocking for people coming, for example, from the UK or USA. Generally, dinnertime is from 19.30 to 21.30. Depending on where you are, there can be some variations – if you are in North Italy, dinner time is very soon; on the contrary, if you are in South Italy, it tends to be the latest as possible. This is why usually, before dinner, there is always aperitivo time, that could take a while! Be aware of restaurants that serves dinner at 18.00 – it surely is a tourist-trap and quality of food may be less than optimal.
In Italy people value free time and the importance of vacations. That is why the majority of offices grants people some vacation weeks and close in August. The entire country shuts down for the month, and major cities become less populated because residents go on vacation! The only con – it is hot as hell, so be sure to have sunscreen with you!
Driving in Italy can also be shocking. Roads here are quite different from other countries’, such as USA – they are narrow and often filled with potholes and cars parked in double rows. So, it is easy to find traffic in Italy’s roads, and drivers are always angry and honking at everything. If you plan to drive, especially in major cities such as Rome or Naples, prepare yourself!
In any case, when travelling there are always moments that challenge your expectations. But keep in mind that embracing cultural differences is a way to enrich your travel experience or your living-abroad experience.
