What are the most curious habits and traditions of Italy? Our neighboring country is similar in specific things to our culture or lifestyle, but when it comes to eating, communicating or meeting with family or friends it differs from how we do it in Spain. Italian culture places family gatherings for religious reasons first, in fact the most important tradition for them is Christmas, like Carnival, Holy Week and other festivities dedicated to virgins and saints.
Furthermore, it is a very superstitious society and carries out very curious rituals that do everything possible to attract all the positive energy, especially at the end of the year. Below we discover many more curiosities about his lifestyle, take note!
What are the traditions of Italians?
For Italians, customs are rooted in family, gastronomy, fashion, gestures, among others. These traditions have also been exported to Italian-Argentine society because for more than 30 years they lived in Italy before emigrating to Argentina after World War II, therefore, these customs are also common in the southernmost country in America. Let’s see them in detail!
Do not cut the spaghetti under any circumstances
Gastronomy is an identifying hallmark of Italy, known throughout the world, whether for pizza or pasta, which are two star dishes. Recipes are passed down from generation to generation among families and are considered a sacrilege breaking the spaghettisince for them the moment of Eating pasta is a daily religion.
A good Italian would never cut spaghetti.
Italians dedicate a lot of time and effort to the presentation of pasta dishes, so breaking the spaghetti can be disrespectful because it dismantles the aesthetic harmony and presentation of the dish. Another reason why you should not break spaghetti is because it can affect its flavor and texture because it makes it difficult for the sauce to adhere evenly.
Drinking cappuccino is mandatory after breakfast
Surely you have never had a coffee as delicious as in Italy, and for its culture this drink plays a central role in its daily life. Having a cappuccino after breakfast is one of the most recognizable rituals in the country. If an Italian invites you to have a coffee, never say no, as this would mean underestimating a person’s company, since, for Italians, symbolizeshospitality, friendship and closeness between friends.
He cappuccinoa drink that combines espressohot milk and milk foam, and which is rarely drunk after 11 am, during the afternoon they prefer to opt for shorter coffee drinks, such as a espresso.
In Italy they eat pizza folded
As you may already know, pizza was created in Naples and is one of the most iconic and world-known culinary creations, but surely you did not know how it is eaten in Italy to better appreciate and mix the flavors in each bite, take note!
To be a good Italian, you must eat pizza folded.
Since the authentic Neapolitan pizza has a very thin base that falls apart easily, to eat it correctly you must fold it like a book so that the pizza folded in half and thus prevent the ingredients from falling. You should fold the ends to have a greater explosion of flavor on your palate and because it is easier to eat it this way.
Sundays: Family, religion and gastronomy
In Italian culture it has a great importance of family, religion and gastronomy. In fact, every Sunday they get together with the whole family, from grandchildren, children and grandparents, to celebrate meals and strengthening family ties intergenerational and to create a strong attachment to the home.
Sundays are for family, but also holidays like Christmas and Easter, where they usually attend mass together and then enjoy a special meal at home. It is even common to see entire families living in the same house or in the same neighborhood.
Unique festivities: Ferragosto, La Befana and La Giubiana
A unique holiday that is only celebrated in Italy is the Ferragostoon August 15, in which the summer season is welcomed with outdoor meals, family gatherings and fireworks shows, especially in Naples and southern Italy.
La Befana In Spain, it would be the Three Wise Men, she is an old witch who is in charge of bringing sweets and gifts during the night of January 5, only to those who have behaved best during the year.
While the Giubiana is a celebration of the northern regions of Italy, between Lombardy and Piemonte, which takes place on the last Thursday of January. It consists of burning a giant straw puppet dressed in rags on a bonfire, known as the Giubiana, a witch who symbolizes the end of the previous year.
Lentils are eaten on New Year’s Eve because they are a sign of prosperity.
The tradition of eating lentils is inherited from Ancient Rome, where they considered this legume as symbol of good luck and prosperity. Since then, they are not missing from any Italian home on New Year’s Eve and are eaten after midnight.
At Christmas, Italians eat lentils. They are a symbol of prosperity and good omen.
In Italy, meals are made up of 4 dishes: antipasto, primo, secondo and il dolce
The typical Italian menu consists of: minimum of four dishes: antipasto, primo piatto, secondo piatto and dolce, that is, hors d’oeuvres, first and second courses and dessert.
Gestures are Italians’ favorite way to communicate
The form of non-verbal communication through gestures is already incorporated into the DNA of all Italians. Each gesture has its very specific meaning, and even without saying a word you can know what one is saying. This is a form of expression that conveys emotions and complements speechjust as you can add specific tones of voice to further express what you want to say.
Italians have dinner on weekdays at 8:00 p.m.
If you thought that, just like in Spain, Italians eat late dinner, you are wrong. Generally, Italians have dinner on weekdays at 8:00. pm and 8:30 pm, but it may be that in the southern regions of Italy there is a later dinner time more similar to the Spanish time that goes from 10 pm to 11 pm
Italians kiss on the cheeks only people they know and are friends with.
It is believed that the gesture of kissing on the cheeks has its roots in Ancient Rome, where physical contact was common and was considered a sign of friendship and close relationship. Nowadays in Italy it is still like this, for a more formal greeting with someone you have just met and you don’t have much confidence in, you greet with a simple handshake. While the greeting with two kisses shows closeness and appreciation for the other person.
For this reason, Italians have the custom of kissing people they know on the cheeks. Keep in mind that it can always vary depending on the region, even in some parts of Italy three kisses can be given instead of two.
When Italians are sick they always drink chamomile infusion
Chamomile, known as “chamomilla” in Italian, has become a common home remedy when it comes to relieving symptoms of minor illnesses because it has anti-inflammatory, relaxing and digestive properties. The Italian mothers and grandmothers, They often prepare this infusion for their loved ones when they are sick, infusing the process with care and affection.
The Italian fashion style makes them unmistakable
The Italian fashion sense means that they can be easily recognized from a distance and do not go unnoticed for their high-quality fabrics, well-fitted garments with prints striking. Big luxury brands like Prada, Versace, Gucci or Fendi make up the wardrobe of many Italians and that makes them unmistakable when it comes to dressing. A good Italian will always leave his house impeccable and accompanied by his best accessories, from glasses, bags or scarves.
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