5 amazing facts about Italy that shatter all stereotypes

Italy is a country much more diverse than we might imagine. Rome is not only the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, and pizza is not the only national dish that deserves attention.

Yes, the local cuisine is very diverse, and the habits and customs of Italians can confuse tourists. OBOZREVATEL decided to prepare a selection of facts about this amazing country.

Not just pizza

Few people know that almost every region of Italy has its own specialty dish. So, when coming to Rome, most tourists want to try the local carbonara pasta and pizza with tomatoes and cheese. But those who explore the country deeper know that Florence, for example, has an unusually juicy steak - bistecca alla fiorentina. In the north of the country, you should try risotto, and in Naples, people eat migliore, which is an evening hot oven-baked pizza.

Breakfast with a hidden meaning

Another interesting thing is that you can't order cappuccino after lunch or dinner in Italian restaurants or cafes. So, in order not to embarrass yourself in front of the waiter, you should only drink black espresso after eating. People in Italy do not eat eggs and cereals for breakfast at all. Instead, it is customary to drink coffee with pastries: croissants or buns with whipped cream called maritozzi. Traditionally, maritozzi was named after future husbands, mariti, who usually bring these buns for breakfast to their beloved with the intention of getting married in the near future.

Insidious language

Locals often use rather strange expressions and gestures that can mislead a visitor. Thus, the banal "I love you" in Italian will sound like ti voglio bene. These words are literally translated as "I want you badly" Moreover, it is customary to say this phrase not only to partners but also to your parents and even children.

Another common expression is "che palle!" ("what balls!"), used to express indignation or irritation.

A woman who did not get married "in time" and picks up stray cats on the street is called gattara in Italy .

Bargaining should be done with dignity

Bargaining with local traders is not the same as in Egypt, for example. In Italy, you can't just ask for a sconto ("discount"), as this is very rude. Instead, you need to ask politely with the verb risparmiare, which means to save or take care.

If you say "posso risparmiare?" in a store or market in Italy, you will be considered polite and worthy of a discount.

The sweetness of

Italians hate to rush and miss vital moments. For this reason, the country often takes a five-minute break to enjoy the taste of flavorful coffee or a conversation with colleagues and friends.

In Italy, there is a well-known expression dolce far niente ("pleasure in doing nothing"), which reflects the essence of this approach.

Also, don't be surprised if you are told "Non ti preoccupare" when you are in a hurry. This means that you have been "caught" in a fuss, so you should relax and let go of your problems. Italians believe that if you worry too much about something, it will not be resolved anyway. Therefore, it is better to exhale and go eat something delicious or enjoy your favorite coffee.