Italian Rules of the Table
The Italians are traditionally known for their lax attitude to rules. On one subject they are, however, very strict. Nothing is quite as important to Italians as their food and there are certain rules which must be obeyed.
The first trap which many foreigners fall into concerns that widely appreciated, quintessentially Italian staple, Cappuccino! We love it so much that we tend to drink it any, and every, time of the day. This is shocking and appalling in equal measure to the Italians; cappuccino should only and exclusively be drunk for breakfast. Coffee is a regular part of the day, usually after meals, but this is in its short, espresso form. Cappuccino should only be drunk before 11 a.m.
The next tendency foreigners have to ride rough-shod over Italian sensibilities is in regard to another staple, bread. Bread is eaten without butter. If anything, olive oil may be used on bread, for example when creating a bruschetta, but when bread is served to accompany a meal, it is eaten plain, without butter.
Another important point in regard to bread is that it should never be eaten with pasta. This is something which we foreigners are less likely to do, but be warned…just in case!
Another thing we may simply not think about concerns the drinks we may feel inclined to drink together with our meals. We have already covered cappuccino which is a definite no-no, and generally the only acceptable drinks to be taken with meals are mineral water and wine. Children can drink soft drinks with their meals but not adults.
Another thing we may struggle with because it is a divergence with what is usual at home, is the idea of eating the meal in a multi- course fashion. Antipasti, followed by pasta, meat dish, with vegetables, followed by dessert, cheese or fruit. This is a standard meal for an Italian, not an occasional special feast. To begin with it may seem to be an over indulgence to have so many courses and we may feel inclined to ask to have them served together, but the Italians enjoy every aspect of their meals and for them this is an affront to the ingredients of each course which should be savoured and enjoyed without competition.
Concerning another of Italy’s most famous exports, pasta, there are also a few pitfalls to avoid if you want to hold your head high in Italian circles. The most important, of course, never cut your spaghetti or use a spoon to make it easier to eat. Learn to twist around the fork, and to put up with the inevitable tomato stains on your shirt, or choose a short type of pasta like fusilli or penne which is easier to cope with. You will anyway struggle to find that most famous of Italy’s exports, Spaghetti Bolognese, because it doesn’t exist! ‘Pasta al ragu’ is the nearest you will find and it is usually not made with spaghetti.
So, these are the common mistakes made by travellers in Italy and avoid at them all costs unless you want to stand out as an outsider. Italians are, of course, a forgiving nation and they will overlook your mistakes of protocol, if necessary, but the one thing that will really make them warm their hearts to you, is if you enjoy and appreciate their food as much as they do!