Booked your flights to Italy? Great. Packed your bags? Perfect. But did anyone tell you that grabbing fruit at the market or ordering dinner at 6 p.m. might earn you a few side-eyes (or worse)?
After 20 years living here, I’ve seen every tourist mistake imaginable — and today, I’m sharing the 7 unwritten Italian rules that catch visitors off guard every single day.
From coffee culture hacks to church dress codes to why your train ticket might get you fined, consider this your crash course in not sticking out like a clueless foreigner.
Stick around to hear the dinner faux pas that still haunts me (trust me, it’s a good one).
🛵 Want to experience Italy to the fullest? Download the Italy Insider E-Guide now! https://bit.ly/3Zom90m
📧 Newsletter
Join my newsletter email list for free travel tips, hacks, and exclusive content. https://gregor-brown.kit.com/53b0eef2d7
👉Ways you can support me:
⭐Join my Patron Inner Circle
https://www.patreon.com/c/gregorbrown/membership
🙋🏻Join The Global Insiders for direct travel help and free guides.
https://www.patreon.com/c/gregorbrown/membership
📺Watch the next unreleased video by becoming a channel member
https://www.youtube.com/@GregorBrown/join
👍 Or simply just give a thumbs up, that’s free and much appreciated, too.
🙏And please subscribe for all the latest videos https://www.youtube.com/@GregorBrown?sub_confirmation=1
✈️ My TRAVEL INSURANCE recommendation 🩺 https://bit.ly/42FeDx0
⚙ Gear I use for travel:
Plug adaptor: https://amzn.to/3HeyMAr
Power strip (plug into an adaptor): https://amzn.to/3JefEVP
Portable USB Charger (a must!): https://amzn.to/3kzrZcM
Italian phrase book: https://amzn.to/3wynZMv
Sleep eye mask: https://amzn.to/3IS7u4n
Ear plugs for sleeping: https://amzn.to/3IMOUuu
Toiletry Kit bag (I got the camo one): https://amzn.to/3Z2AM6B
Travel Bottles for Toiletries: https://amzn.to/3xT3WZN
…or get clear refillable ones: https://amzn.to/3ktjEHU
Samsonite hard shell luggage: https://amzn.to/404ZlRa
Rimowa Essential Cabin Luggage: https://amzn.to/3b1v94l
(If you buy using this links above, I receive a commission via the Amazon Affiliate Program.)
44 Comments
Thank you
I've probably made all the tourist mistakes, but so far I haven't smuggled my own pineapples into a pizzeria.
Hi Gregor. So am I correct in thinking that the Italo speed train tickets don’t need to be validated?
I was in Naples recently. At a restaurant, I had to pay a 15% service charge, which is unusual in Italy. I argued with the owner, but he was adamant. So I wouldn't be so categorical about customs, because many things are changing in tourist cities.
Hey Gregor! I really appreciate your videos. We are making our first trip as a family in October, and we are seeing news of African gangs attacking people on trains. Can you provide insights on safety when traveling around with this variable?
Gregor! Get that Per favore right!! lol
Thank you!! I’m going to Italy later this year! Your videos are so so helpful!! 😊
Shorts were okay at the vatican, but they cared more about shoulders.
No comment on the Yankees Go Home sign, eh? Maybe talk about that and what we tourists can do to avoid increasing this attitude.
As i was walking the Piazza Navona, I was scolded by a waiter at an al fresco restaurant, for wearing Birkenstocks, for crying out loud.
We came back from our trip to Italy a week ago today, and I'm proud to say that we did not break any of the unwritten rules listed here! Can't wait to go back! Italy is now my favourite country to visit!
I learned to not lick the espresso spoons, apparently it’s an etiquette thing?
5:08 caught us walking away!
While having dinner with my wife at a restaurant in Rome, I chatted up the waitress and showed her my italian hip hop collection on Spotify. I played Sferabasta's Mademoiselle for her. She politely recommended another artist of the same genre. The porto cervo guy
The Italians want our money but they don't really want us there as evidenced at 6:10!
Anyone else see the "Yankees go home" graffiti at 06:10 lol
il sovraprezzo per sedersi non si applica ovunque. Un caro saluto da Bari
Taking notes — headed to Rome soon for the first time and we can't wait! Thank you.
Comunque i ristoranti e i caffè turistici non sono da evitare solo per il conto, ma anche perché il 99% delle volte il cibo è nettamente peggiore. Decisamente peggiore. A volte orribile.
I use the trainline app when in Italy, you have the ticket on your phone then, no validation required.
And if you break these 'rules' you may be identified as a tourist – as if not being dressed in local style and not speaking language was not enough…
Try sending a bottle of skunky wine back in an Italian restaurant. The server will always disagree. Sorry my nose smells skunk…..
Great video. Thanks. Lived in Naples for four years while in the Navy. You will get strange looks (eye roll) if you ask for Parmigiano for a pasta dish with seafood! And eat your pizza in Napoli with knife and fork. It does not come sliced. And forget your American manners of blinking your lights to signal the other driver that they can go first. In Italy, blinking your lights means “I’m coming through!” And while pedestrians have the right of way to cross at intersections, it requires an act of supreme faith on your part, especially in Naples: if the pedestrian makes eye contact with the vehicle driver, the pedestrian has yielded the right of way to the driver!! Look straight ahead as you cross and step out! Always held my breath on that one!
02:07 …except in Russia …dress like a prostitute to visit a Cathedral …and blame Putin when You are not let in
WILL BE IN ITALY IN SEPTEMBER WOULD LOVE TO MEET MY UNOFFICIAL ITALIAN TRAVEL GUIDE IN PERSON!!!
Your videos are so fun and entertaining. Thanks Gregor!
1. If and when invited over to a friend's house in Italy, bring at least a bottle of wine or a dessert. Typically, you should never bring a platter of your own food, unless told to do so. This could be seen as "What? You don't trust
my cooking?"
2. Unless a restaurant provides tap water, do not ask for it, because usually by default, they will provide you with bottled water. This is why you should always bring a water filter pitcher from home for your trip to get access to filtered and purified tap water to stay hydrated. Rome has delicious water from the Nasoni water fountains.
3. Beware of the fact that in Italy, some restaurants will charge you a surcharge fee for the table itself. It will be mentioned on the menu so you are aware and it will not be a surprise.
4. Never walk barefoot in someone's house. You do not have to wear sneakers, but either socks or sandals must be worn at all times.
I don't understand what 'validating your ticket' is? Can you explain, please. Surely, if you've bought it, that's good to go?
Toured Italy many years ago. I still have great memories of the people, food, culture, history, scenery, and architecture. As opposed to some very negative memories about businesses in Paris.
i see your account following growing 10 fold within the next 12 to 18 months)) pure pleasure watching your videos ❤
I think I'm going to wait when it's cool ❤❤❤❤ nearer to winter for me I can't do the heat. Ahhh bar coffee it's going to go up ten times
Going in Oct, want to be on a Vespa 80% or the time! Can’t wait
In
Lovely clip, beautiful city. Which city is it?
Social etiquette is very important in Italy. At the hotel reception, they will always ask you what you do for a living. Anyone with a University degree is automatically addressed as “Doctor”. Anyone in any of the professions is automatically accorded the title of “Professor”. For gentlemen, correct attire is essential. Only a few colours are permitted – blue and white and, for shoes and belts, black or brown.
A great presentation! Many thanks!
Italian servers in tourists areas will ASK for tips, and get quite aggressive about it. They know they can bully Americans into tipping because it is so ingrained in our culture.
More rules: Never ever drink cappucino in the afternoon or evening, don't put cheese (parmigiano) on fish products, never ask for a pizza with pineapple and/or chicken, be aware it's European law that noboday can be charged different prices for the same service (except it's a special tarif for club members etc.) just because of his origin, race, language or whatever and not to forget – it's italien law that you have to take the receipt with you in any restaurant or shop to prove you have paid and the service provider correctly charge the VAT.
Pizza is not cut in Italy like in US.
Will be there in September, thank you for the tips!
Swiss/Italian here, just come back from 10 days in Liguria. We easily could spot lots of US-Americans during our train ride:
– suitcase size XXL, blocking entrances to the carriages or exits from the train. There is just not room enough on European trains for these suitcases, so do yourself and us a favor and travel light!
– also, when you exit a train, step away a good way from the exit before you stop and get your bearings. There are those of us that have to run to get a connecting train.
– and please, if any gentleman wants to be nice to a lady and help her get out of a train, say so in advance and do not step in her way and try to yank away her suitcase while she is literally already on the steps, preparing for her run 😂
Great video…and smooth delivery…thanks for restoring old memories from the 80s and 90s. Covid killed our return plans in 2020. All good information. Grazie.
Make sure you say you’re done correctly at a restaurant. My partner is American Italian and speaks Italian well but was corrected at a restaurant in Genoa. “To be” gets confusing….especially to me. He said siamo finiti instead of abbiamo finiti. The waitress said that means you’re ☠️. lol. Also, my fellow Americans that don’t do church, make sure you take your hats off if you go in. You’ll get called out.
A much better greeting for those you dont know is Salve.
Is this the flo bike guy?
Don't ask for spaghetti & meatballs, don't confuse Italy with Sicily