Culture Shocks and Tips
Breakfast
.
Breakfast (colazione) is a quick meal usually done standing at the counter in a "BAR". A "BAR" in Italy is a Coffee Shop where you can find gelatos, pastries and much more. Also, Italian breakfast is sweet. A cappuccino and a corneto (a sweet croissant—there are no savory butter croissants in Sicily) make for a perfect choice. Eggs, and especially bacon, are not considered breakfast food. VORREI UN CAPPUCCINO E UN CORNETO VUOTO (empty) or CORNETO DI RICOTTA. I would like a cappuccino and a plain croissant (ricotta croissant).
Coffee at a BAR
.
un café = single espresso un cafe lungo = single shot with a little more water un cafe dopio - double shot of espresso There are no brewed coffee or americanos. Definitely no mochas or chai. Moka is the name of the coffee maker apparatus Italians usa a home. You can try like Katryne to ask for the barista to add hot water in the "cafe" but you might get the stinkiest look. VORREI UN CAFE (DECA) I would like to get a single shot of espresso (decaf) After you order a cafe you can order hot water on the side (UN PO' DI ACQUA CALDA A PARTE PER FARE UN ACQUA SPORCA) for my americano lovers lol Italians drink their cafe quickly at the bar, but you could order a espresso to go "DA PORTARE VIA". Cappuccinos are not commonly made as take away.
CAPPUCCINO
.
Cappuccino is a traditional Italian beverage meant to be savored at breakfast. So, if you try ordering one after 11 AM, they might laugh at you. Also, there is no small, medium or large. It's one size only. As for oat milk, almond milk, and all those nutty milks Americans love—they’re not very common in Sicily. If you're lactose intolerant, it's better to ask for lactose-free milk (latte senza lattosio). VORREI UM CAPPUCCINO (DECA) CON LATTE SENZA LATTOSIO, PER CORTESIA. I would like a decaf cappuccino with lactose free milk please. ...and even decaf is looked down upon.
GREETINGS
.
BUON GIORNO (Good Morning) is used way past 12pm - something like 3pm. BUONA SERA or BUONA SERATA is used past 3PM. BUON POMERIGGIO is the world for good afternoon but is not commonly used on greeting like in America. SALVE! It's another great way to say hello. PREGO PREGO PREGO you will here this a lot so here are some common used ways: PREGO: You're welcome PREGO: Go ahead PREGO: Don't worry | not a problem | it's fine PREGO: Welcoming world (when entering a restaurant) PREGO: Please, help yourself PREGO? Non ho capito: I beg your pardon? I didn't understand. PREGO: How can I help you? (at a store) Ti PREGO: Please or I beg you (to forgive someone) Si prega di (non): Do something (si prega di non fumare - please do not smoke)
CHEESE
.
We all love cheese, and Brazilians especially love putting it on everything! But in the Italian culture, cheese and seafood DO NOT MIX!!!!!!. Just think that you will never see a cow swimming in the ocean, so one should no mix with the other. On that note, Alfredo sauce is an American invention. In Italy, the closest you will get to cheesy sauces are: - Cacio e Pepe - Quattro Formaggi Also, Bolognese Sauce is an American thing. The Italians called it Ragù—a ground meat, tomato-based sauce. Ragù alla Bolognese is the authentic Italian version, with its origins in the Bologna region.
DINING OUT
.
Primi (first course): consists of a rice or pasta dish (pasta can be served with seafood). And as mentioned earlier, please—no parmesan cheese on pasta with seafood! Secondi (second course): is where Italians eat their protein. If you decide to other both, you should have the Primi first then the secondi after. Do no expect them to come at the same time and specially don't mix them in the same plate hahaha Finally, you can order a salad or veggies as a side. But again, don’t expect everything to come on the same plate. And yes, salad is typically served last. Salads are not meant to be complex. If it says tomato salad, expect a plate with only tomatoes, maybe a basil leaf or two haha Italians don’t mix meats (like chicken or beef) with pasta or salad on the same plate. One thing is one thing, and another thing is another thing. Unless in the ragù or the lasagna alla bolognese. And last but not least, you don’t have to order both primi and secondi. You can enjoy just one dish. NO TO GO BOX To go box is not a thing in Italy (because you are going to finish your plate no matter what!) It's so good! After a meal it's common to have a digestivo like Limoncello, Amaro Amara, Amaro Montenegro, Nepettela. It's a sweet liqueur and every region it's specialties.
Pizza
.
Pizza in Italian are individual size. to be savored with beer, not wine. And don't think about trying to order 2 flavors in one pizza, or to add pineapple or chicken to the pizza. BASFEMIA!!! There is no ranch or ketchup per favore!
APERITIVO
.
Aperitivo (like Spritz or Prosecco) is traditionally enjoyed before dinner. You don’t order these drinks with your meal. For dinner, you order wine, and vice versa—you don’t order wine before your meal or spritz after your meal. Italians are accustomed to having an Aperitivo before dinner, but it’s important to know: you go to an Aperitivo place (which is not a restaurant—a restaurant is for eating a meal). At an appetitivo place, you’ll order your drink, and it typically comes with several little snacks like olives, chips, a piece of focaccia, etc for you to enjoy with your Spritz —free of cost. Don’t try to go to a restaurant just to order drinks and appetizers—they might just ask you to leave.
other curiosities
.
Italians when talking things in plural don't add a "S" to the end of the world, most of the time they will change the last vowel.. un cappuccino - due cappuccini un cannolo - due cannoli la donna - le donne (women) Italians bring bread after you are sited at a restaurant. But it's just bread. No olive oil, or balsamic, and definitely no plate lol. If you would like to order olive oil you can just ask for oil which is the common world for olive oil as they don't use other yucky oils. PER CASO POSSO AVERO UN PO' DI OLIO PER CORTESIA? Italian don’t like to eat on a bare table (without a towel or a paper or a placemats). Italians have lunch between 12PM-2PM. Eating before 12 PM it’s weird. Dinner is served late, 7:30PM (19:30) at the earliest. 9PM OR even 10PM is a very normal dinner time. Dinner will not be served at 5PM lol because 5PM is aperitivo time. oh yeah, Italian use the 24hrs clock system to count hours so 7PM it will be diciannove (19). **MID DAY BREAK: Stores close from 1:30 to 4:30PM. Pharmacies, groceries stores, fruit stands, etc. You might find a bar (cafe) open.
MUST TRY
.
MELON WITH PROSCIUTTO. A very popular aperitivo — Sounds weird but it is delicious! ARANCINE - Tradicional rice balls stuffed and friend. To brazilians, this looks like a coxinha, but made with rice instead of potatoes dough. CANNOLI - Born in Sicily like the arancini and tastes amazing. Go for the tradicional filled with ricotta. FRESH RICOTTA - not from a supermarket. Try a local caseificio instead GRANITA - di pistachio or de mandorle (almond) - its a yummy sweet blended drink typical from Sicily. CAPONATA - delicious eggplant tapenade