I have been all over Italy for the past decade. From the Alps to Sicily and back. The quality of food in the heavily "touristed" locations in Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan etc. is significantly different than the quality of food in the residential areas of the same cities. The same can be said of the service. When you travel off the beaten path in Italy it is my experience that the quality of the food grows exponentially and the service superb.
You can't judge Italian cuisine by three dishes. Each region has its own specialties, and it wouldn't be enough for you to try them all in ten years. As for wine, it's obvious that you can also find low-quality wine in Italy, but I don't need to tell you that some of the best wines in the world are found in Italy and France. Greetings from Italy. I love Canada.
Lol, as an Italian, let me tell you a few things… People definitely dance on the streets, but it happens only during festivals, held only a few days per year. Every city/town has different events. What you saw on TikTok is not fake, you just weren't there at the right time. The food is AMAZING. I have been living in Australia for 10 years and the difference between the 2 countries is insane. As someone pointed out in another comment, every part of Italy has different food. I can travel 50km from my home town and have something I never had before. It has nothing to do with the greasy, unhealthy, horrible food you have in English-speaking countries. Avoid the tourist restaurants and go where the locals go. The only place in which you will get scammed in Italy are the tourist hotspots, and they are easily avoidable too. Why would you allow a stranger to put a bracelet on you or hand you a rose? Just walk away. If you think that Italy has a lot of scammers, I would recommend against travelling around South East Asia. I've lived in Italy for 24 years and I never got picked pocketed, just put your stuff in your front pocket (it should be common sense) and take care of your belongings. And stop walking around with a fanny pack, scammers will recognise that you are a tourist from 10 km away. As for the service, some people might be rude, but some people are amazing and they really stop to engage in a conversation because they want to have a chat with you and get to know about you. While in the USA, Canada, and Australia they are nice only to be polite, but they don't really care about you. I'm definitely not Italy's poster child, I see many faults in this country, and that's why I left it years ago. However, this is a very shallow description of a beautiful country with some awesome people and some of the best food in the world.
I have been to Italy many times and the food and service has been amazing. Especially Sicily. The cheeses and prosciutto have a different taste than in Canada. So much more organic. You can taste the quality of the food. The olives and olive oil are supreme. The desserts are so delicious. I have experienced wonderful service and when i left a tip they appreciated it so much. The restaurants we went to usually added a limoncello at the end of the meal on the house. Can't wait to go there again!
We had a very different experience in Tuscany. So many friendly people, great service, amazing food (but local, regional dishes were much better than generic Italian dishes from an American or Canadian perspective). The Tuscan wine was easy drinking if not exactly mind blowing at our price point. And we didn’t see any crime. But we were away from big crowds and aware of our surroundings. I’d go back again and again.
I agree with 4 of your points. I am not Italian but have spent a lot of time there. Food is fantastic and a different experience in different areas of Italy, still all fabulous. Seems that before doing your food research, you were eating in touristy spots and those fit into one of your other points, they are scams.
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next time bring along a gallon of ketchup to add to the pineapple pizza so you can enjoy the real flavors you like
😮😮😮😮 in US the crime rate is 600% higher than Italy …
Paris food is the same: most no better than Applebees
I have been all over Italy for the past decade. From the Alps to Sicily and back. The quality of food in the heavily "touristed" locations in Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan etc. is significantly different than the quality of food in the residential areas of the same cities. The same can be said of the service. When you travel off the beaten path in Italy it is my experience that the quality of the food grows exponentially and the service superb.
You can't judge Italian cuisine by three dishes. Each region has its own specialties, and it wouldn't be enough for you to try them all in ten years. As for wine, it's obvious that you can also find low-quality wine in Italy, but I don't need to tell you that some of the best wines in the world are found in Italy and France. Greetings from Italy. I love Canada.
Food is okay.
So you actually paid to go there?
Italy and the rest of the corrupted Western world is now a dangerous garbage dump.
Stay in the US
Lol, as an Italian, let me tell you a few things… People definitely dance on the streets, but it happens only during festivals, held only a few days per year. Every city/town has different events. What you saw on TikTok is not fake, you just weren't there at the right time.
The food is AMAZING. I have been living in Australia for 10 years and the difference between the 2 countries is insane. As someone pointed out in another comment, every part of Italy has different food. I can travel 50km from my home town and have something I never had before. It has nothing to do with the greasy, unhealthy, horrible food you have in English-speaking countries. Avoid the tourist restaurants and go where the locals go.
The only place in which you will get scammed in Italy are the tourist hotspots, and they are easily avoidable too. Why would you allow a stranger to put a bracelet on you or hand you a rose? Just walk away. If you think that Italy has a lot of scammers, I would recommend against travelling around South East Asia. I've lived in Italy for 24 years and I never got picked pocketed, just put your stuff in your front pocket (it should be common sense) and take care of your belongings. And stop walking around with a fanny pack, scammers will recognise that you are a tourist from 10 km away.
As for the service, some people might be rude, but some people are amazing and they really stop to engage in a conversation because they want to have a chat with you and get to know about you. While in the USA, Canada, and Australia they are nice only to be polite, but they don't really care about you.
I'm definitely not Italy's poster child, I see many faults in this country, and that's why I left it years ago. However, this is a very shallow description of a beautiful country with some awesome people and some of the best food in the world.
Let me know what your HOT takes on Italy are in the comments! Also don't forget to subscribe + LIKE the video!
finally someone who says the TRUTH about the food in italy
i found the same about the food in Italy, thanks for the video Matt
italy is an intersting country….
thanks for these tips!
I have been to Italy many times and the food and service has been amazing. Especially Sicily. The cheeses and prosciutto have a different taste than in Canada. So much more organic. You can taste the quality of the food. The olives and olive oil are supreme. The desserts are so delicious. I have experienced wonderful service and when i left a tip they appreciated it so much. The restaurants we went to usually added a limoncello at the end of the meal on the house. Can't wait to go there again!
Stay away from the tourist areas…
We had a very different experience in Tuscany. So many friendly people, great service, amazing food (but local, regional dishes were much better than generic Italian dishes from an American or Canadian perspective). The Tuscan wine was easy drinking if not exactly mind blowing at our price point. And we didn’t see any crime. But we were away from big crowds and aware of our surroundings. I’d go back again and again.
Great video Matt
You are absolutely correct. We are less friendly, especially by an American point of view. We are however genuine in our interactions.
I agree with 4 of your points. I am not Italian but have spent a lot of time there. Food is fantastic and a different experience in different areas of Italy, still all fabulous. Seems that before doing your food research, you were eating in touristy spots and those fit into one of your other points, they are scams.