Eating habits and Dining Etiquette

If you know anything about Italy, you know that it is known to have amazing food. Because Italians are so passionate about their food, there are some unspoken rules about how to eat it.

• Do not cut your spaghetti or long pasta noodles

• Spaghetti and meatballs is not actually a traditional Italian meal

• The salad course is eaten after the main courses

• Roman Pizza is traditionally cut in squares, while pizza from Naples, Italy is circular

At restaurants, gratuity and service charges are included in your bill unless you are told otherwise. Generally, tipping is not a custom at restaurants in Rome as well as most of Europe. However, if you feel your service was exceptional, it is okay to leave a tip for your server.

Citations:

Parla, K. (2018). Cultural etiquette guide to Rome. BBC Good Food. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/cultural-etiquette-guide-rome.

Gambardella, N. (2019). Spaghetti Carbonara