I don't know about you, but whenever I arrive in a different country, I always feel a little uneasy. I'm not from around here, so it's likely that sooner or later I'll end up breaking some of their social norms.
Maybe you’ll feel this way when you get Italy, so I wish to reassure you: most of our "unwritten rules" are actually pretty simple once you know the secret.
Here are three easy tips to navigate the trains, the churches, and the coffee shops like a local since “day one”
1. The Ticket
In the past traveling in Italy by train or bus you just had to buy a paper ticket and show it to the bus (or the train controller), but today, Italy is a mix of old-school paper and handy apps (like MooneyGo, Tabnet, or the Trenitalia app). Unfortunately, every city has its own, so search for it in the app store by typing the name of the city. Download it and buy the ticket. The pitfall? Thinking that buying the ticket is the same as using it. Sorry, it is not: you need to validate it before your run begins.
The Pro Tip: If you have a physical paper ticket for a regional train, you must validate it in the machine at the rail station before getting on the train. If you have to take a bus, validate your ticket at the machine on board when you hop on. If you’re using an app, buying the ticket is only step one. You usually have to click an "Activate" or "Check-in" button in the app just before you take your seat. If an inspector scans your phone and the ticket hasn't been activated, they will treat it as if you are riding for free. Always look for that "start/activate" button! Good news: If you don’t mind paying a bit more for your bus ride, you can also pay for it with your credit card when you are on board.
2. The Scarf for Churches
You are in Venice, Rome, Turin, Florence or some other famous city and your wish is also to get into some stunning cathedrals. It’s summer, and it’s hot, so your dress is likely light and truly minimalistic. Churches, abbeys, and cathedrals, are sacred places for the faithful, so you cannot enter any of them wearing mini-skirts or short-pants: you have to cover your shoulders and legs. If you were in Greece, you would find a lady at the door of the church with a bag full of large scarves; She’d give you one or two and, with a very firm gesture, make it clear that you’re supposed to use them to cover your legs and shoulders. If you refuse, you will stay out of the church. In Italy, it’s unlikely you will have a similar experience, but at the entrances to very famous churches, there is always someone in charge of checking that visitors are dressed appropriately—and of selling you a ticket for the tour (yes, many churches charge an admission fee). And if a religious service is in progress, you won’t be allowed to enter until it is finished - regardless of what you are wearing.
The Pro Tip: You don’t have to wear long pants all day. Just keep a light scarf or a pashmina in your bag. When you get to the church door, wrap it around your shoulders or tie it around your waist like a sarong to cover your knees. You’ll be respectful, cool, and allowed inside without a hitch. Easy… when you know it.
3. The "Stand or Sit" Coffee Rule
In Italy, a "bar" is where you go for your morning espresso. You’ll notice two ways to enjoy it: standing at the counter or sitting at a table. Here’s the catch—sitting down usually costs significantly more. When you sit, you’re paying for "service" and the right to occupy that table. A coffee that costs €1.50 at the bar might cost €4.50 if you sit down!
The Pro Tip: If you just need a quick caffeine hit, do what the locals do: walk up to the counter, order your caffè, drink it standing up, and head back out into the sunshine. Only sit if you truly want to relax, rest your feet and enjoy the people-watch for a while…(2-Continue)