Man, I made some really dumb mistakes when I was moving to Italy. It’s a completely different culture that I wasn’t used to, so it’s totally rational! Here are a few things I’ve realized on the way that will hopefully help you in your experience:
What it’s like moving to Italy
Italians are known for being very open, loud, and animated with their gestures. Of course when you move there though, there is so much more to the culture that might surprise you!
You’ve seen it in movies sure, and maybe had some close Italian friends. However, it’s a completely different experience when you’re actually LIVING there.
I moved to Turin, Italy in 2018 for one school semester. I wanted to experience the culture as much as possible, so I moved in with an Italian family. I was still paying rent for my own room, but I also had meals included and was encouraged to speak to the two daughters in English. Meanwhile, I was also going to school with Italians and being full engrossed in the culture. It may have been difficult at times but it was an amazing experience that I wish everyone could have!
Years later, and many of my closest friends are people that I met during that semester in Italy. I’ve stayed closely connected with my Italian friends, and even have an Italian boyfriend, which is a WHOLE other ballpark! Looking back, I think there are definitely a few things I wish I would have known before moving to Italy:
1. Italian hospitality
If you are invited to be a guest by an Italian, you are in luck! Italians take hospitality very seriously and will completely cater to you. They’re great hosts, but that means that depending on the household, you may not be allowed to help with anything.
The first time I went for dinner at a friend’s, I wasn’t allowed to help cook or clean! Every time I got up she said, “No! Sit down! You are a guest here.”
2. Hand gestures are NOT just in movies!
Every stereotype is based on truth and with Italians, it’s actually true.
What I didn’t realize though, is that every hand gesture means something different. You can’t just go around saying “MAMMA MIA LA PIZZA!” and waving your hand around. It doesn’t make sense and people will look at you funny (even if they do actually say mamma mia).
The popular gesture that most of us automatically think of roughly translates to “What are you doing?”/”What are you saying?” There are variations of course, but the gist is that you can only use it when you are talking to/accusing someone.
Spend enough time around Italians and you’ll realize that half of the language is spoken just through hand signals. My personal favorite is the praying at the sky and saying “Maaaaaaaa….”
3. Coffee culture
Cappuccino is delicious, but it is only allowed in the morning until noon. If you order a cappuccino after dinner like me, the waiters will always stare at you funny. Additionally, it’s very common to have coffee after lunch, but only espresso.
If someone asks to get coffee with you, expect them to be waiting on you to finish since they only ordered one shot of espresso. When someone asks if you want to “take a coffee” you can assume they mean smoking for 5 minutes and downing an espresso shot, although they’re always happy to sit and talk!
4. Italians are blunt
They say what they mean, even if it isn’t always welcome.
You don’t like my new haircut? Cool, I didn’t do it for you. You think that pepperoni pizza is the garbage of the earth? Hey, at least it isn’t pineapple!
This is something that took some time for me to get used to but I genuinely prefer the honesty! If you hear an Italian do this, try not to take it too personally.
5. Where to buy things
In the US, you can go to Walmart and buy almost everything in one place. Not so much in Italy. Here’s a short list to help you get on your feet and collect all your essentials:
Electronics – MediaWorld, Trony, Euronics
Supermarkets – Iper Coop, PAM, Carrefour, Mercatò, Auchan
Department Stores – La Rinascente
6. Italians are proud
Italians are proud, but never tell them they’re patriotic! You can never argue with an Italian.
They have the best culture, the best mountains, the best beaches, the best wine, the best cuisine.
It may be a bit much at times but honestly, can you blame them?? Maybe all of us are just jealous to not have been born in Italy.
Know someone moving overseas? Help them prepare for their trip with this gift guide for a friend going abroad.
7. Friends are family and family is forever
The friends you make in grade school are your friends for life. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t open to having new friends though! Just know that while it may take awhile to break the barrier of becoming a true friend, once you’re in, you’re in for life.
Family sticks together. They love spending time with family! Certain holidays are reserved for family time. My Italian friends also call their family 5000 times a week. In Italy, family is everything and friends from childhood are a very close second.
While there are several other things I realized when moving to Italy, these were the most prominent. What shocked you the most about moving to a new country?
