The most annoying things you can do as a tourist in Italy
Everyone who doesn't like whining: now is the time to drop out! Here comes a plea about everything you shouldn't do as a tourist in Italy, in my opinion.. This time no huge blunders or unofficial law violations, but a lesson in behavioral etiquette to help you conduct yourself exemplary at any Italian destination. Take it with a grain of salt, practice a bit, and maybe this summer you'll go completely undercover as a local.
Annoying things to do as a tourist
‘Calling out ’Grazia' and other wrong words
It's very nice and sweet that you're trying, but ’thank you’ is much better understood than ‘grazia’ or ‘graatsie’. And you can save ‘gracias’ for Spain.
Eating at lightning speed
Slouch down, take your time, and embrace the fact that you are being pampered. Long dining is a custom in Italy, where you enjoy good food, good company, and good wine. Amen.
Eating at 6 PM
Aside from the fact that it's incredibly unfriendly to be the only occupied table in a restaurant, you can't even have a decent dinner at 6 PM in Italy, because a decent place hasn't even opened its doors yet. So just order a glass of Aperol Spritz somewhere on a terrace around that time, there's a good chance you'll get the snacks for free. Long live the aperitivo.
Eating or drinking next to a tourist attraction
Is the Aperol Spritz 12 euros instead of a maximum of 6? Get out of there. Does the pasta exceed 18 euros? Then there better be something very special in it, like a truffle. A good rule of thumb is that any restaurant within a 50-meter radius of a tourist attraction is not the place to be for good food. If you want to quietly yawn at the Duomo from the terrace while accepting the 4 euro espresso, I won't say anything.
Not leaving your hotel
Even if you're staying at The White Lotus hotel, it's a shame not to go out. I say: pool day, city day. Beach day, countryside day.
Going into church with your zip-off pants
This also applies to flip-flops. Churches are also not necessarily the best place for selfies, and the conversation volume can be a bit lower than outside. After all, you are in the house of God.
Walking extremely slowly in the middle of the street
Admittedly: this gets on my nerves everywhere, because I'm always in a hurry. But while Italians may take life a bit slower than we're used to, they still have to get to work through that street that you're using as a leisurely footpath. Act like you're at home; you wouldn't do that there, would you?
Going to McDonald's
Hey, nothing against the Mac, on the contrary, but on vacation in Italy, you really don't need to.
Wanting to customize the menu
Per favore... If you don't like artichokes, would you just order something else? Only vegans who want senza formaggio are approved. And pasta pesto with pollo is much more fun for everyone if you keep it as a party trick for home.
Ordering a ‘white wine’
The horror for a waiter. If you don't know exactly what you want to drink: it doesn't matter, but then just play Russian roulette with the wine list. Or, even better: ask the waiter for advice on the wines and taste something local.
