Rules In Italy
 

so help please...I see so many references to what you should and should not do. Tell me...
Produce at the market...you should not touch?
In the stores you should not root through the clothes to find the right size?
How about bills at the restaurant? Is it polite to ask at the end of the meal for your cheque?
How many courses are you expected to order?
Don't suggest any carryout or doggie bags for leftovers...right?
Any others? Restarants? shopping? taxi cabs?
Please let us know. We always try to follow the rules of the road but it is hard to do when you are not sure. Any advice would be appreciated. We travel in September.

We already have a long thread on exactly this topic, with almost the same title. Here it is:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34552639

Hi Sprig, sounds like you know the customs of Italy.

Regarding courses, just order what you want. Remember, Italy is use to tourist/travellers, they will survive even if you do something that is not quite up to their standards as long as you are well mannered which obviously you are.

Do know that when you stop for a drink/espresso whatever that you pay more if you sit at a table (inside or outside) versus standing at the bar to drink in. I personally refuse to stand a the bar unless I am with Italian friends. Sitting at the table is a good way to relax and enjoy people watching. Taxicabs, agree on the price before you get in one. If the waiter/owner of a restaurant starts making suggestions for food which is not on the menu find out the price before ordering. Same goes for wine. Most important; enjoy your visit to Italy and please, give us a trip report so we can all share your wonderful vacation. Best wishes.

Sprig,
3 Gelatos a day.
that is all you need to know.
((F))Scarlett

But, but, but - Sprig, Scarlett forgot to tell you that along with the gelato you need to enjoy the wine!! Well not gelato and wine at the same time of course, LOL.

Oh oh, I forgot, remember to start each day with a nice big cup of cappucino or something similar.
Don't touch the fruit.
Just buy your size, they wear their clothes fitted.
If you don't ask for a check, how do you expect to get it?
Courses, 3 or more.
No doggie bags, clean your plate!
Don't bother with a cab, rent a Vespa.
Remember, this advice comes to you from someone who has never been to Italy but reads about it all the time on Fodors LOL
Sprig, just keep reading all the threads on Italy and you cannot go wrong :D

Hey Scarlett - you need to get to Italy with Yankee - you have the rules down pat. Except for the size of clothes. They are different than ours here in the US (that funny metric system I suspect). And just between us gals, don't forget that it is important to check out all the gorgeous Italian men!!

Hello Luv~
Yes, we have been talking about it a lot lately..the Yankee going so far as to wonder what it would be like to live there. LOL now that we are moving, he is getting ideas~

I wrote up some tips for Italian restaurants at http://www.straughan.com/italy/travel/restaurants.htm

The number of courses you order is entirely up to you and your appetite at the time. It's common to order and start eating an antipasto and/or first course before you contemplate the second course. If you're not sure how much you want to eat, you can do that and, if the waiter asks what you want for secondo, tell him you want to wait and see. Of course if you wait too long to order, there could be a gap between your primo and secondo.

Re. doggie bags, see here http://www.straughan.com/italy/travel/eatcheap.html

Relax and enjoy - no one in Italy is likely to snap your head off if you do things differently. They make allowances for foreigners.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

www.straughan.com (personal)
www.tvblob.com (work)

Re. rooting through clothes to find the size, in department stores this is expected and normal. In smaller stores, staff will usually offer to help, so that you don't mess up their neat stacks of clothing. If you don't see anyone close by, start rooting!

I am particularly interested in the "rules" promulgated by Fodorites who have never even BEEN to Italy...however, if there really ARE as many "rules" as some people would have you believe, then is there also one that says: NEVER WAIT IN A LINE BEHIND ANYONE (who is waiting not to touch their produce)???????

re: NEVER WAIT IN A LINE BEHIND ANYONE (who is waiting not to touch their produce)???????

I don't know about produce but I can recommend not getting in a line to see the body of the Pope before you know if you are really going to be able to see him. Especially if you are told the wait is only an hour!

Scarlett - I am shocked!!! You must book a flight to Italy today!

kybourbon,
I know, I know :) We were all booked for the fall of 2001 and that never happened so I read and plan:)but as they say, you plan and you plan and Life gets in the way ~
Intrepid..good word- promulgated ((F))