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Fitting in with local customs Quick tips for living in Florence
[Susan Glasspool]
Eating outThe Italians like to eat well and enjoy eating out in company. In good restaurants you are expected to spend enough time and money to eat at least two courses. The first course can be an antipasto or pasta, followed by the second course of meat, vegetables, or fish.
Vegetarians
You can eat vegetarian meals in most places in Italy as many pasta dishes are non-meat and vegetables are plentiful, varied and well cooked. It is perfectly acceptable to order a couple of vegetables for a second course.
Ordering and paying
You always have to ask for the bill (conto) in a restaurant. Restaurant bills can often confuse non-Italians as they have a charge for servizio or coperto, basically an all-inclusive charge for table service. This means that you only need to leave a minimal tip, 1.00 per person is okay. You usually have to pay first in coffee bars, then take the receipt or scontrino to the bar and request your caffè or other beverage. In most coffee bars you will be charged more if you want to sit down at a table. When you pay they will ask you if you prefer to eat or drink a tavola or al bar, at the table or the bar?
Eating
You can find many products you normally use at home or their substitutes. There are plenty of small outdoor markets where you can buy fresh produce or you can shop at an Alimentari or Supermercati to buy other staples.
Drink
Italians have certain standards as far as drinking is concerned. If you ignore them may lead to uncomfortable or even dangerous moments. Italians rarely drink alcohol other than with meals and they do not normally go out drinking. Wine is considered an integral part of the cuisine, but you are not expected to drink more than a glass or two with meals. The law does not tolerate public drunkenness and, apart from creating a brutta figura (a bad impression), you can be arrested and put in prison. In Italy drunkenness itself is an offense and is no excuse for other kinds of behavior either.
Good manners
One last piece of advice. If you are working or studying with Italians you should always try to say hello when you enter a room or anywhere people you are acquainted with are gathered. The polite form is Buon giorno (Good day) or Buona sera (Good afternoon or evening) and ciao is only used among close friends...
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