Dining Etiquette In Italy

The local spoke to alberto presutti an etiquette and manners expert who s given us ten tips for italian dining etiquette.

Dining etiquette in italy. It is a way to bond with each other in the moment and more broadly others dining at the same time and all those who have come before. Here are the 10 tips for italian dining etiquette. When ordering before noon cappuccino is the only acceptable form and in the afternoon espresso is the choice. Italian eating etiquette promotes a quick coffee and a pastry that you usually will eat while standing at the bar.

Italian dining etiquette international dining etiquette dinner parties or large lunches often start with an aperitif cinzano vermouth campari etc and end with after dinner drinks such as grappa a brandy made from grape skins and stems or sambuca an anise flavored drink often served with a coffee bean after coffee. Throw around a ciao and gazzie mille and you will be even more convincing. 10 tips for italian dining etiquette. Ok that may be a bit much but at least you won t stick out as a tourist as much.

So you d better make sure you do it right. If you live in italy you ll know that a large amount of your time will be spent eating. You see in italian culture the act of dining together is still sacred. When you drink espresso in a bar do not expect to be seated.

Pepperoni pizza is not a thing. If you know these food etiquette rules you ll start to fit in as if you were an italian. An italian meal is also a tiny celebration. Did you know pepperoni pizza is not a thing.

Always bring a gift for your host but never let that gift be a bottle of anything non french. In american culture sharing a meal has lost this importance. Unlike in the us and other countries it s seen as a terrible breach of restaurant etiquette in italy for a waiter to bring your bill and whisk away your plates as soon as you ve finished your food. I ll tell you when i first realized this i was a bit baffled i personally used to enjoy sitting down for breakfast and taking my time but now i take my coffee standing up even when i m at home.

I could tell by my french boyfriend s slightly agape mouth that no we would not be taking a bottle of prosecco or italian white wine to his parents dinner party in paris. After meals it is usually espresso that is served upon ordering. You re supposed to have the liberty and luxury of lingering at your table finishing your wine water and even ordering a coffee. For those who want to expose themselves as well as their family to other cultures they will sometimes plan far away vacations.

This was my first lesson in french dining etiquette. What dishes to order eat when in italy it is summer break and with the kids out of school many families are planning long overdue vacations.