We know many of you (at least 60 million!) are beginning to plan your trips to Italy for this year. We’re here to help. Yes, we’ve got you covered with the travel planning, but this time, we’ve also got some new guidelines on how to fit in with the locals. When you’re here, you do you–we’re not here to judge. But, in case you want to blend in a little more, here are some pointers to do (or not do) as the Italians do.

EAT

We Italians are not short on rules when it comes to eating and dining. Heed our digestion handbook and the points below, and don’t make the mistake of only eating at those restaurants in the vicinity of a Duomo. 

DO expect to sit for meals for a minimum of two hours. There’s no rushing here. 

DON’T expect a savory breakfast: here, it’s coffee and a pastry. 

DO a little research and be sure to try regional specialties, not just those famed classics like carbonara, cacio e pepe, or pizza margherita. 

DON’T order spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, pepperoni pizza, or garlic bread. Although these are mainstays of Italian-American cuisine, you won’t find them on any traditional menus here.

DO swipe up the remainder of your sauce–whether from pasta, meat, or vegetables–with a piece of bread, an act called la scarpetta. 

DON’T make a dinner reservation for before 7:30 PM (or 8:30 PM, if in Rome). It’s just embarrassing. 

DO know that you have to ask for the bill (il conto). In order not to rush you, waiters will only bring the bill when you ask for it. At more casual restaurants, you’ll often pay at the front on your way out, but it never hurts to ask. 

DRINK

This might be the most important section, as what you’re drinking, when you’re drinking it, and where you’re drinking it are surefire ways to tell whether you’re a tourist or a local. 

DO order an Italian cocktail other than a spritz. There are plenty of great ones.

DON’T ask for ice in your beverages–water, coffee, and especially wine included.

DO order a digestivo after dinner. But don’t take it like a shot. 

DON’T drink a cappuccino after 11:30 AM. If you need coffee, order an espresso or, at most, a macchiato.

DO try natural wine. We’ve got lots of guides to point you in the right direction. 

DON’T order a “latte”, unless you want just a glass of milk. Also, don’t drink milk with your food. 

DO expect to buy bottled water at restaurants, bars, and cafes. Tap water isn’t really a thing here (although it’s safe to drink in homes). 

DON’T drink cocktails with meals. Order wine and beer instead. 

SPEAK

No one expects you to arrive speaking fluent Italian, but here are a few little things you can do to respect the language and blend in a bit better. 

DON’T assume everyone speaks English. Try to get acquainted with some basic phrases before coming. 

DO gesticulate with your hands. Here’s our guide to some of the most essential. 

DO pronounce “grazie” with the Italian “e” on the end: grats-ē-ā.

DON’T talk loudly when you’re in a church. 

DO learn those undefinable words like boh, allora, and passeggiata, and throw them into daily conversation. 

DON’T worry about speaking on the phone, even in enclosed spaces like the train (you likely won’t be the loudest)… except for in the Silenzio cabin, or you’ll receive a stern scolding.

DRESS

Most Italians dress undeniably chic, and you’re definitely going to want to ditch your athleisure, sweatpants, and hiking boots–no matter how comfortable–before stepping foot in the country. 

DO wear scarves to protect against the deadly colpo d’aria.

DON’T leave the house with wet hair. 

DO be sure to wear a heavy coat the second you sense cambio di stagione in the air

DON’T wear tank tops, hats, shorts, skirts, or dresses above the knee when entering a church. 

DO wear linen. All summer long. 

DON’T wear inappropriate shoes–stiletto heels, flip flops, anything uncomfortable. You’ll have difficulty navigating those cobblestones in anything other than thick soles. 

DO remove your hats when dining in a restaurant. 

DRIVE

Driving in Italy, whether you’re a driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian, is a heart-rate-inducing matter. The roads are a lawless land. Even with our tips, you’re bound to end up driving around a roundabout a few too many times, with a few parking scratches, and as the recipient of some colorful expletives. Be warned. 

DO prepare for mind-numbing traffic in the city centers (and often on the Autostrada) and an overall lack of parking wherever you need to be.

DON’T drive through the ZTL: a pedestrian-mainly zone of limited traffic in all city centers, or prepare for hefty fines if you do. 

DO stop into an Autogrill for the best highway panino you’ll ever have. 

DON’T even attempt to drive on the Amalfi Coast unless you’re an expert in tiny, winding, technically-not-wide-enough-for-two-cars streets. 

DO be sure you know how to operate a manual transmission. There are very few automatics for rental, and they get booked up quickly. 

DON’T drive any car bigger than a Fiat Panda, unless you want to end up in some prickly situations. 

DO always opt for the train if you can; it’s our favorite mode of transportation.