Living Villa Cappelli

Living Villa Cappelli


049: 15 Strange Things Italians Do

February 22, 2017

To start with, this should probably have a major subhead: "15 Strange Things Italians Do that are strange to Americans." Because I'm sure they are not strange to any Italian or even other parts of the world. But to two Americans, these are a few of the weird things we've noticed Italians do. Know any others?  Let us know in the comments.  And don't forget to share this with family and friends who might get a kick out of it. 1. They don't wear seatbelts or use baby seats Not sure if this is a macho thing? Or they believe it's safer because you can, I don't know, throw yourself from the car? Whatever the reason, they almost refuse to do it. To keep the car from beeping at them, they will either buckle the seatbelt behind them in the car. Or, they will actually carry around an extra buckle, just a buckle with maybe a little strap on it, so they can put that in the latch to stop the car from beeping. It is against the law and you will get a ticket if you are stopped, so don't try this when visiting. Is this only a southern thing? Small town thing? Let us know in the comments. When it comes to the kids, the children will actually sit in mom or dad's lap while they are driving. Sometimes while the parent is also on the phone driving a stick shift. We have no rationale for this one. It's just crazy. 2. They throw litter out of the window of their car This is definitely more a southern thing I think than northern. But littering here is just not looked at as a terrible thing like it is in the states. I have watched someone literally clean out their car while driving down the road. Reaching down to throw out a plastic bottle, then some papers, etc. When was the last time you EVER saw that in the states?   3. They peel their fruit and vegetables You will never see an Italian bite into an apple or pear unpeeled, even if it is washed.  That sucker has to be peeled before it passes those lips! The new rule in Italy is that when purchasing fruit in a market, the display has to say if the peel is edible. If it is organic, the peel is edible. I bet they still peel the organic.       4. Italians will not "drive" in the passing lane This is strange to us but it is CORRECT. The passing lane should only be for passing. And while Italians do drive fast and like maniacs, they do strictly adhere to this rule. So if you are driving in Italy, don't stick around in the left lane. Pass someone and get back into the right-hand lane. Otherwise, you'll have a lot of Italian drivers honking and flashing their lights at you.     5. They never go outside with wet hair It goes back to colpo d'aria, the thought that a hit of cold air will cause sudden death. OK. Not sudden death, but pretty much every other malady out there. It's also why they won't drive with a window down, hate fans blowing directly on them, and wear scarves in the summer (see #10 below).   6. When entering a room in someone else's home or a store, they have to say "hello" You might have already greeted them at the gate. Or the room they are entering could be empty with the lights off. And there doesn't have to another person even around. But when they enter the room, they will say, "Buon Giorno" or " Or the room they are entering could be empty, with the lights of and not another person even around. But when they enter the room, they will say, "Buon Giorno" or "Permisso." Polite? I don't know. To an American, it's just weird.   7. They never eat eggs for breakfast Today, most Americans probably have more in common with Italians in this regard. Today, American's will grab a bowl of cereal or a cereal bar before running out the door and aren't usually cooking up a batch of eggs. However, you will never see an Italian scrambling up some eggs and bacon for breakfast, even on the weekend. Italians are pretty consistent in their concept of breakfast, which usually consists of a coffee and a pastry. That's it. Italians are pretty consistent in their concept of breakfast, which usually