THE TOP NINE UNEXPECTED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ITALY AND AMERICA—

9. Italians have an entirely different perception of size.

From cars to appliances to food, everything is smaller here than it is in America. Their “large” soft drink at McDonalds is roughly the size of our “regular,” if not smaller. Their coffee, instead of coming in a grande-size plastic cup with extra whipped cream, comes in a shot-glass sized mug that you drink while standing at a bar counter.

8. Paying is not a priority.

Most small Roman businesses (90% of companies in Italy are micro-enterprises) do not like accepting cards for purchases less than £50. When getting a cappuccino at a bar, you are expected to pay with small coins and bills. If you don’t have correct change, they will frequently simply refuse to serve you.

7. They take the pronunciation of “grazie” very seriously.

The correct pronunciation of this rudimentary term is grazi-ay, not graz-ee. It took me a while to get this down, but incorrectly pronouncing this word instantly sets you apart as a tourist – and some Romans will go out of their way to correct you.

6. But they still love any attempt you make at speaking their language.

All “grazie” pronunciation complications aside, I have noticed how appreciative the Roman people are of even my childish attempts at communicating in Italian. Most tourists do not take the time to try to learn the language of the magnificent culture they are experiencing, which understandably, some Italians do not like. Because of this, most Romans will love any earnest attempt you make at speaking the language. Just by taking the time to learn some basic phrases – even if you cannot pronounce them correctly – shows that you are appreciative of their heritage. Example: After visiting the produce stand across the street from my apartment multiple times, I finally learned how to ask how much something costs (quanto costa). The man there was so excited that he gave me a free apple. A little goes a long way here!

5. They walk. Everywhere.

Rome is huge, comparable to New York. It has two metro lines, while New York has 24. So people walk. This is not necessarily a bad thing; walking is great exercise, so I find myself earning the five-course meals I indulge in at dinnertime.

4. Time is more of an… idea.

I read the blogs and tour books, and thought I had prepared myself for the Italian way of treating time. In America, we treat time as constraint, as a way of organizing tasks, meeting people and planning meals. We let time govern our lives. Italians, on the other hand, let their lives govern time. If you try to stick to a schedule here, the only kind of sticking you’ll do is out. What sets American tourists apart from the locals is how rushed they appear to be – in restaurants, in shops, even in church. To truly experience Rome like a local, you must put away your planner and become a part of the city’s flow.

3. Traffic laws are optional.

Whether by car, bus, or foot, the Romans get around differently. In America, we move when a traffic light tells us to. We stay in our lane, and put our blinkers on before even trying to make a turn. Romans just go. Again, it goes back to the idea of flow, and how instead of conforming to a rigid set of standards, the Romans just live.

2. Eating dinner is an event.

I knew ahead of time that, when in Italy, I would be eating some of the best food in the world. But what I didn’t expect to encounter was an entirely different relationship between people and food. Even coming from Louisiana, where food equals family, I can see a distinct difference in the way we treat food in America versus the way the Romans treat their food. It is an entire experience – you eat dinner at 8:00 p.m. (and that is early), you are served course after course of deliciously rich meals, and instead of getting uncomfortably “full,” you are sazio (satisfied). Dining, for the Romans, should be like living – pleasurable.

1. Getting lost is the only way to discover.

I’ve come to expect it, look forward to it, and cherish it – Rome is the best city to get lost in. It is unorganized, chaotic and busy; but also ancient, majestic and regal. One night on my walk home, I found myself at the foot of the Colosseum, about 45 minutes away from where I intended to go. So, when you find yourself in the middle of a shaded vicolo (alleyway), with earth-toned buildings covered in vines on both sides of you, hopelessly unaware of how you got there… don’t freak out. Instead, look up at the rooftop gardens surrounding you, the colorful rusted bikes leaning against the old wooden doors, and appreciate the view that you never intended to find.