#Confused
Today marks my ninth day in Rome and I think it's safe to say the only "Roman" custom I've got down solid is the art of eating pasta. Aside from the carbs, I'm sticking out like a sore thumb, and let me tell you, it's not just the language that's presenting itself as different. Need an example? Here's just a few...
Dining Etiquette:
Tips
The days of calculating the standard 15-20% tip, or the passive-aggressive 10% which tells your server that she could use an attitude adjustment, are over. In Italy, there is no tipping--not at the dinner table or in a cab. Never. In fact, some restaurants include a service fee, which serves as a sort of tip, so 15% of the bill would be completely redundant and silly.
Length of meals
Some nights I find myself in and out of a restaurant in under an hour. In Italy, this is both highly unlikely and at times, impossible. Italians like to sit back, relax and order 700 courses, and even after the food is gone, many remain seated with their glasses full for plenty longer.
- In fact, at one of the first meals I ate out, Marjorie, Holden, Catie, Karly and I found ourselves waiting for the check for over 15 minutes before we realized that the servers WILL NOT bring you the check until you ask for it--to do so would be rude and imply that the server hoped to rush you. Moral of the story: ask and you shall receive.
In Italy, we've found that almost every menu is broken up into courses rather than full plated meals like they tend to be found in the States. For example, rather than order Fried Calamari for a starter and the filet mignon with mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli, you would instead order a starter (bruschetta/prosciutto e melone), a small serving of pasta/rice/soup for your first course, perhaps a small portion of protein/greens for the second course, and followed of course by dessert/fruit/coffee/liquor.
- The best example of this was Tony's--also known as the most amazing, delicious, filling, accommodating, and authentic Italian restaurant...EVER. We had heard of Tony's from other TCRC students, and learned of it's 20€ endless wine and food deal, and with a party of 13--the idea of it seemed perfect. We arrived with the antipasti already plated in front of us and plenty of wine to accompany it. Next, the servers presented 13 individual plates of pasta, each with three different types of pasta to taste. Next, to our surprise came chicken parmesan (at this point I was only eating to be polite...I was STUFFED). Lastly, individual portions of tiramisu arrived. Oh, and meanwhile the wine had yet to stop coming. Ultimately, the thirteen of us walked out only 20€ poorer and extremely satisfied.
The Pace
Walking
Rome is a walking contradiction -- no pun intended. In Rome, the locals take their sweet time, choosing to walk gigantic lengths around the city rather than taking an efficient cab, but choose to rush through their morning cappuccino.
- PS: these gigantic lengths I speak of...we have proof. Marjorie's handy-dandy iPhone 6 logs her every move, and some days we find ourselves walking over 10 miles. **Unfortunately I do think the floods of pasta negates this**
- PPS: On the very first day in Rome, and after 1,000,000 hours of traveling, came a walking tour, which seemed to cover just about all of Europe, which was led by our program director who hardly broke a sweat.
As previously mentioned, these Italians do not run on Dunkin. In fact, their morning coffee or cappuccino is ordered, paid for and consumed in about the same time it takes to get through the Starbucks line in the United States. Oh, and by the way...there isn't any such thing as to-go.
Update: I still don't like coffee *ugh*...but current substitute is a "Melo drink"--freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.
The Locals
The Men
Hmm... Where do I begin? Well, the men here are something else. Aggressive is the way others described them to me prior to my departure, and now that I've had my own experiences I would agree, but perhaps the words over-complimentary and persistent describes them better. In fact, the amount of times my friends and I have been told "you so beautiful" or "you should be model" has had me thinking about pursuing such a career...kidding, of course.
The Drivers
Drivers? WATCH OUT. Unlike in the States, Italian cross walks have more wiggle-room. Instead, the light displays either a green walker, a yellow walker, or a red walker. In theory, the green means the crosser has the right of way, the yellow warns the crosser that they don't have much more time left to cross, and the red restricts the crosser entirely. HOWEVER, in reality the green walker means go, but at your own risk because drivers (specifically those turning right on red) aren't exactly looking out for you. The yellow--it's a free for all. Best advice, don't hesitate. If you see cars initially stopped, go for it, otherwise you'll be waiting until forever.
Canadians?
Yeah. Since arriving in Rome, I've apparently become a Canadian citizen. Why you might ask? Well, it helps, a lot. Saying you're Canadian rather than American is sometimes the difference between a pleasant and helpful cab driver or one that's rude and deceiving.
Miscellaneous
Cars
The cars here are tiny . In Rome, you're either in a small sedan, a Fiat or a smart car. The city is much too crowded and hectic to be driving anything else. In fact, small cars allow drivers to be rather creative while parking. **photos to come**
Locks
You wouldn't believe how long it takes me to get into my room. Yep, some locks in Europe turn the opposite way. In other words, no more "righty-tighty, lefty-loosey".
Perpendicular parking--unsure of the legality of it all... | Tony's will forever hold a place in our hearts. | One of the absurd routes which was thought to be in "walking distance" |