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Currently reported don'ts for 'Italy': 45

Italy

Italy
  • Capital

    Capital

    Rome

  • Local time

    Local time

    21:53

  • Population

    Population

    60.5 m

  • Driving side

    Driving side

    Right

  • Calling code

    Calling code

    +39

  • Currency

    Currency

    € EUR (euro)

Read more facts about Italy
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Italy

Italy
Socket
  • Capital

    Capital

    Rome

  • Local time

    Local time

    21:53

  • Population

    Population

    60.5 m

  • Driving side

    Driving side

    Right

  • Calling code

    Calling code

    +39

  • Currency

    Currency

    € EUR (euro)

  • Average Salary

    Average Salary

    $ 2 671

  • Petrol price

    Petrol price

    € 2.14 pl

  • Precipitation

    Precipitation

    832mm /year

Geography & travel

  • Country Area

    Country Area

    301 230 km2

  • Protected Area

    Protected Area

    22%

  • Forest Area

    Forest Area

    32%

  • Agricultural area

    Agricultural area

    44%

  • Railways

    Railways

    16724km

  • Annual air passengers

    Annual air passengers

    28.86 m

Population

  • Ethnicity

    Ethnicity

    Italian

  • Religion

    Religion

    Roman Catholic approx. - 90 %
    Protestant
    Jewish

  • Literacy rates

    Literacy rates

    98.8%

  • Languages

    Languages

    Italian
    German
    French

  • Armed Forces

    Armed Forces

    356 850

  • Murders

    Murders

    1 per 100k

  • Alcohol consumption

    Alcohol consumption

    6.1 l/person

  • Smoking

    Smoking

    28.3%

  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    5.1%

  • Tuberculosis

    Tuberculosis

    6 per 100k

  • HIV

    HIV

    0.3%

Economy

  • Industries

    Industries

    tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear

  • Agriculture

    Agriculture

    fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives, beef

  • Natural Resources

    Natural Resources

    coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar

  • Energy Import

    Energy Import

    75%

  • Natural Resources

    Natural Resources

    coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar

  • Renewable Energy

    Renewable Energy

    17%

  • CO2 Emissions

    CO2 Emissions

    320 411kt

  • Ease of Business

    Ease of Business

    46 (Best=1, Worst=200)

  • ATMs per 100k people

    ATMs per 100k people

    96

Back to results

What not to do when visiting Italy

1/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't point with your index finger and pinkie finger at the same time - it's extremely vulgar in Italy.

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2/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't forget to dress properly - clothes and appearance is important to Italians.

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3/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't order a cappuccino after 11 AM. Seriously. Only in the morning.

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Did you know

Did you know?

"Topolino" is the name for Mickey Mouse in Italy.

4/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't be shy to speak up if you are interrupted - not doing so can be seen as a sign of weakness, not politeness.

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5/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't give anything in quantity of 17, as 17 is considered to be bad luck or a doomed number.

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6/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't forget to give your host a nice gift such as gift-wrapped chocolate, a wine or flowers, but not in black or gold, as those colours are reserved for funerals.

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7/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't give a brooch, handkerchiefs, or knives as they connote sadness.

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8/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't forget to cover your shoulders, knees and midriff when visiting churches. You can wear a scarf, but don't wear a hat inside.

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Did you know

Did you know?

The coins thrown into the Trevi fountain in Italy are collected for charity.

9/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't hide your hands when dining - keep both hands (but no elbows) above the table when dining, even when you are finished.

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10/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't add ketchup to pasta or cut it.

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11/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't make comments about the state of the South if you're in the North or vice versa.

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12/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't exchange business cards at social occasions, but it's a norm at business functions and meetings.

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13/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't forget to insist repeatedly that you don't want more food once you are full. Place your fork and knife on the right side of the plate when finished.

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Did you know

Did you know?

The first city to mint its own gold coins was Florence, Italy in 1252.

14/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't eat with your hands and don't leave the table during dinner - it's considered rude.

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15/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't talk about religion, Vatican, Mafia and politics, or questions about private family concerns.

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16/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't talk about fascism.

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17/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't mention you're Juventus fan if you're in Florence or Milan, a Roma fan if you're in Naples or a Bologna fan if you're in Fiorentina.

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18/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't get involved in any drugs and trafficking of illegal drugs - there are severe jail sentences and fines.

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Did you know

Did you know?

Italy was home to the Republic of Venice, the world’s longest continuously operating republic.

19/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't give even number of flowers, don't give chrysanthemums - they are used for funerals.

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20/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't enter a taxi without a meter.

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21/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't keep wallets in pockets or handbags. Carry only what is needed for the day.

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22/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't use first names in Italian business. Personal and professional titles are used constantly in either causal conversation or formal writing.

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23/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't show up 10 minutes early - Italians are not always super punctual. Be ready to wait few minutes before Italian counterpart appears.

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Tell us your experience

Tell us your experience

We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?

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24/45
Marker Sicily
Business & Communication

Don't bring up the Mafia in Italy, especially in the South.

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25/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't order Pizza Hawaii nor ask for any fruit on your pizza.

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26/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don't say "Ciao" to everyone - it's generally used between the friends. Use "Buon Giorno" or "Buona Sera" when entering/leaving shop or restaurant.

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27/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don’t forget to make an excellent first impression and behave - the first impressions guide Italians.

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28/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don’t get offended by Italian communication style - Italians are very expressive communicators. They tend to be wordy, emotional and demonstrative, using facial and hand gestures, often interrupting others when speaking.

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29/45
Marker Italy
Street & Behavioral

Don't ask for Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano) - always wait for the waiter to offer you some "formaggio".

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30/45
Marker Rome
Street & Behavioral

Don't swim in the fountains.

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31/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don’t give Chrysanthemums - they are used for funerals. Red flowers usually indicate secrecy, and yellow flowers mean jealousy.

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32/45
Marker Italy
Business & Communication

Don’t wrap gifts in black (used for mourning) or purple (bad luck) colours.

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33/45
Marker Europe
Business & Communication

Don’t forget to handshake when greeting (men). Women usually greet with light kisses on both cheeks (”air kisses” where you just touch cheeks and kiss the air), a handshake is common on first meeting. Eye contact is important.

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34/45
Marker Rome
Street & Behavioral

Don't order a 'large coffee'. Drink espresso like a local.

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35/45
Marker Europe
Business & Communication

Don't smack or slurp - it's not appreciated.

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36/45
Marker Europe
Business & Communication

Don't avoid eye contact business and personal conversations. It's a sign of courtesy.

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37/45
Marker Europe
Street & Behavioral

Don't enter buses, trains or similar before everyone who wants to get out has done so.

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38/45
Marker Europe
Street & Behavioral

Don't forget to wear reflectors when riding a bike or walking at dark.

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39/45
Marker Rome
Street & Behavioral

Don't rely only on museums to see the art - you can see plenty of beautiful arts in churches and admission is for free.

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40/45
Marker Rome
Street & Behavioral

Don't order non-Italian wine or don't stick only to the wines you know. Order the local wine.

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41/45
Marker Rome
Street & Behavioral

Don't take photos in the Sistine Chapel.

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42/45
Marker Rome
Business & Communication

Don't assume everyone speaks English.

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43/45
Marker Rome
Business & Communication

Don't expect public transportation to run on time always.

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44/45
Marker Rome
Street & Behavioral

Don't take taxis everywhere - better to bring comfortable shoes and discover the best parts of the city.

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Tell us your experience

Tell us your experience

We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?

Submit your story

45/45
Marker Rome
Street & Behavioral

Don't stick only to the most popular attractions, you shouldn't overlook more under-the-radar spots that locals love.

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