Source : the age
The “la bella figura” that defines the Italian culture, which means to make a great impression, get polite, and always be on your best behavior, is what makes table manners in Italy actually come down to.
DO…
Following the menu that Italians typically eat in. A typical meal begins with an antipasto, such as cooked treats like variations, cheese and salumi, or bruschetta. Next comes the premier, your rice or pasta dish. The dei is typically a meat or fish meal ( or a vegetarian food if you prefer to eat it as a main course ). It is served with a contorno of your choice, which is typically a fruit or salads. There is dolce ( dessert ) to finish, followed by coffee. A digestivo or documentation, a liquor used to aid digestion, is quite final.
Ask the waiters for local or regional meals. They’ll be more than happy to assist you and, if you’re in a team, to assist you with your booking.
Depending on where you are, you can sprinkle some ketchup on your spaghetti plate with some bread. This activity is affectionately known as the “little boot” or “la scarpetta.” It’s more than welcome in house, trattoria, and casual restaurants, but not in proper or fine dining establishments.
Hope to remain waiting for the long haul. Eating is a lavish pastime in Italy, never to be confused with eating out as a function. If you’re traveling alone, in a relaxed store, or at an airport, I’d advise you to hurry off. Otherwise, it might be considered impolite to jump the wait staff.
Select the wine to go with your meal properly, according to the sommelier. Or ask the waiter for something regional at a more relaxed restaurant.
Before making your order at the bancone ( counter ), make your purchase at the bar register. The bartender will always be happy to chat up customers, but it’s not just for a quick moment. Yes, it’s sociable, but you should include your coffee and leave afterward.
DON’T…
Don’t go ahead and sprinkle Aperol with your meal. This now-seen-everywhere concoction is for aperitivo, before dinner, or even after, but it is not meant to go with your pizza and pasta.
Pizza and pasta not go up. always. These foods should remain consumed separately, no simultaneously.
When consuming pasta with shellfish, don’t inquire for butter. It means it can’t do without unless the food comes with butter or is provided to you.
If it’s meal, don’t bring a cappuccino with meals. The issue is more with how you mix it up than with how long it is. An Italian would never be able to have a pasta followed by a sizable, bubbly milkshake. They say it will destroy metabolism, which is a no-no. The go-to at any time is a caffe (espresso ) or a caffe macchiato (espresso with a dash of milk ).
Expect a large meal, though. Breakfast in hotels will include eggs and other savoury items in the American style, but this is not normal for locals, who like a nice breakfast. ( Note: Italy’s typically contain less processed sugar than breakfast pastries from many Western nations outside the Mediterranean. ) Italians typically start their day with a caffeinated or coffee with an roman biscuit or coffee with hot dairy and biscuits at home.
Don’t” gin gin” with water when it comes to the subject. It’s regarded as poor fortune, and Italians are religious. Similar applies to cheap plates. If you use your hands as a buffer, it is still acceptable to clatter another piece of plastic glass.
An edited version of Maria Pasquale’s Mangia: How to eat your way through Italy ( Smith Street Books,$ 49.99 ) is available.
