The Italian Way: Social Etiquette Tourists Should Know

Tourists arrive in Italy by the hundreds daily. However, not all are aware of the social practices that are highly valued by the Italians. To avoid being a clueless visitor in the foreign country, here are some notes on Italian etiquette:

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Shake hands with everyone.

Yes, everyone in the group you’re with. It is polite to shake not just the hands of your host. When attending a social gathering, it is common practice to greet everyone with a handshake. Or if a friendly relationship has been established, you can greet by kissing both cheeks.

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Open gifts in front of the giver.

In some cultures, it is okay to open a gift when the giver is out of sight. Not so for Italians. Upon receiving a gift, open it and politely thank the giver. This will assure him or her that the gift has been well received. Another tip: it is considered a good gesture to give little treats to children especially those of an Italian host.

Stand when an older person enters the room.

Especially when invited to a home or a social event. This is to pay respect to the elderly.

Small talk before shop talk.

It is okay to engage in small talk as it is great in calming the nerves especially when the next topics would be about more serious matters like business. However, when engaging in small talk with an Italian, it is good to keep away from asking personal questions.

When traveling abroad, it is wise to look up social customs and etiquette in order to please the locals. Especially in a country that values friendship and loyalty like Italy, keeping up with their practices might make a tourist’s stay more memorable.

Richard Ohlhaber lives in Texas but grew up in Chicago. The wind stayed with him, though, as he remains a Chicago Bulls and Bears fan through and through. If he could live anywhere in the world, he would choose Italy. For more sports and travel entries, visit this page.