8 Life Lessons We Learned from Italians

In other words, leggings and a messy bun have no place in polite society. The Italian philosophy of keeping la bella figura, literally translates to “a beautiful figure,” means that life is better when you look better. Choose quality over quantity when it comes to clothing—buy only the best, take good care of it and wear it often. Shoes are also super important—they should be stylish, polished and practical. (See ya, ratty flip-flops.)

Wine is good. In fact, ample wine is good. But drinking to excess is majorly frowned upon—especially in public. So while ordering a liter of cheap, amazing wine at an Italian restaurant can be tempting, you’d be wise to refrain (for fear of judgment by your waiter and surrounding tables). Oh, and even though you can walk down the streets of Rome nursing a beer, don’t do it, OK?

Or walk around barefoot...or forgo proper undergarments on a cold day. Neck pain will ensue, bringing any number of maladies along with it. Italians call this “suffering of the neck," or soffro di cervicale, and they avoid it at all costs. 

Gorging yourself does. Unlike Americans, Italians are definitely not afraid of white carbs. From pizza to pasta to fresh bread, they don’t shy away from gluten—they just eat non-gargantuan portions and at a slower pace, and as a result, obesity is very rare. Cacio e pepe for dinner, anyone?

And food belongs on real plates. Aside from an errant slice of pizza, the American concept of “to-go” just doesn’t translate. Eating and drinking are occasions in Italy, and they should be treated with more respect than a flimsy paper cup. Un cappuccino to go? You may be charged extra for the cup—and silently judged.

Neither is a sandwich or, heaven forbid, a bowl of cereal. Going back to the “food is an occasion” concept, many Italians insist that a “hot dinner”(read: proper three-course meal) is a necessity at the end of the day. And on that note, in Italy it’s rude to wait to eat upon being served—no waiting for everyone else’s plates to arrive, guys.

Patience is a virtue, from eating meals to nurturing relationships to taking vacations. Ten-minute desk lunches? Swap them for a proper sit-down. And if you need a riposo, or to run errands afterward, go for it. The American phenomenon of burnout just isn’t the same in Italy. Refreshing? Sì.