What Not To Do In Italy As A Tourist

1. Don't expect to get cheap Gucci products

Gucci is an Italian luxury brand known for its name as one of the best for leather goods as it exclaims the word fashion. Adorns the tag Made In Italy, though it is a fact, Gucci is sold out at fixed rates and the prices are the same. It is a misconception that the prices will be a tad bit lower than from anywhere else. It is a brand, for a reason, the perk is that you will come across a huge collection of the latest releases of Gucci.

2. Don't tip at restaurants

Had your lunch at a pretty local eatery in Venice and the bill arrives, what must be noted is that there isn’t a need to tip the waiters. Yes, your total bill has a service charge included, you are paying a supplement for the tip. At times, the tip is added on a per capita basis called table charge and though generosity takes over you to leave a couple of euros behind, it is isn’t really necessary to tip anywhere in Italy.

3. Don't talk loudly

Talking loudly and increasing the pitch of your voice is considered as rather rude and a trait of bad behaviour. Italy is a serene country with the most iconic attractions and gorgeous beauty, the people are kind and they lead life in a very calm and peaceful style. So, raising your voice in public and screaming out for cabs and taxis will surely raise a few eyebrows and worried looks. Its preferred to keep it down and interact in a friendly manner.

4. Avoid eating near tourist attractions

Like in any country, even in Italy, it is quite common for tourists to get ripped off after a meal of delicious food. Tourists are considered as mines to dig gold from by a few local Italian establishments. This is most common in eateries and restaurants near the alluring tourist locations. Most of the restaurants that rip you off will have staff at their entrance, asking you to come in, this doesn’t happen if you are at a genuine eatery. The section in the menu called “tourist’s menu” and the bill having no service charge or no cover charge are red flags.

5. Don’t order latte

Looking for a cup of coffee to settle your nerves, then just order coffee because latte is considered as milk in Italy. If you order a latte, don’t be surprised if you are served with a glass of milk. It isn’t common in Italy to drink coffee during the day, for a quick cup, go to the nearest bar, and order a cup of caffeine. In Italy, yes, bars do serve coffee and are not only meant for selling alcohol.

6. Don’t wear shorts when visiting a church

Wearing shorts or wearing clothes that show your bare shoulders while visiting a church in Italy is strictly not allowed. It is believed to be a holy place with its rich history up on the walls and in the air. So, it is considered to be inappropriate and would be hurting the sentiments of the church if not dressed accordingly. Covering your bare shoulders with a cloth such a scarf is acceptable and you will be asked to leave if found wearing shorts in a church.

7. Don’t expect cards to be accepted everywhere

It is common for first-time tourists in Italy to be faced with difficulties while paying at local bars, restaurants, stores, and inns. This is because not every establishment in Italy accepts cash via credit cards and checks. It is preferred to carry cash with you and an additional ATM card to withdraw cash when required. Most of the areas, far away from the tourist locations take only paper money and coins as they can be small businesses run by families and rely only on cash for billing.

8. Never rely only on the GPS

Italy is a phenomenal country with numerous cities, communes, towns and beautiful villages to explore. Though GPS is for making your life easy while traveling to a new place, it shouldn’t be the only source for guidance. In Italy, there are a lot of areas bearing the same name, so relying on GPS will mix locations up and will eventually guide you to someplace else. This is frustrating, so always carry a map if you are driving without a guide.

9. Don’t wear expensive jewellery

Tourists should be cautious while carrying valuable items and passports while traveling around the country. It is advised not to wear expensive accessories such as jewelry, watches, headphones as the number of reports of theft and pickpocketing are rising by the year. Having your passport stolen is the worst nightmare that could become a reality if you aren’t careful about securing your belongings. Avoid wearing and carrying expensive accessories and gadgets on a day out under the sun.

10. Don’t worry about being overdressed

Italy is known for its fashion sense and intense style, it isn’t a problem for you to be overdressed. Most of the people around you in subways, local buses are really well dressed. It is preferable to wear comfortable clothes on travel and sightseeing rather than a suit or gown. You can spot and identify an Italian just by looking at the way he/she is dressed. It is all about fashion, nice quality clothes, accessories, style and of course the brand.

11. Don’t roam free and be careful of theft

Solo travel is a great experience everyone should be able to go through at least once in their life and a country like Italy is a great place to do so. From Rome, Florence, to Milan and Venice, there’s definitely so much to see, but even if you’re traveling with friends and family the number one rule to remember when in Italy is to be mindful of your belonging.

Be utmost careful of theft wherever you go in Italy, as many pickpockets and locals have a modus on getting something from tourists most especially. Stay extra vigilant in crowded areas like bus stops, metro stations, overnight trains, and other crowded tourist areas. Clutch hard on your stuff to keep everything you own intact, you wouldn’t want to lose your phone and wallet while exploring the beautiful Colosseo!

Do as the locals do

Italy is on everyone’s bucket list, the country will change and root its values into you. Whether it is the gorgeous Venice or the elegance of Florence, each place is different and enlightening. A quick brush up about what not to do in Italy will be fetching some quality time with no hurdles and confusion. Every country has its dos and don’ts for exploring its diversity. May it be driving in the ZTL, drinking coffee during a meal, stressing about your schedule are temporary halts if you are not aware. Apart from these hiccups, Italy is a literal paradise.