29 Things Only Italophiles Understand

Are you going to Italy again? Do you also get tired of having to explain what makes Italy the best holiday country (or even the best country to live…) in the world? In this list 29 things that only Italophiles understand.

1. Knowing that a mocha makes the best coffee

Prefer a simple one mocha jar from the brand Bialetti, then an expensive Nespresso machine for the Italians. You buy these special Italian 'percolators' in different sizes, which provide one to twelve people with a delicious cup of espresso. They are standard included in the kitchen inventory at your holiday address.

2. Get a smile on your face as soon as you hear the Italian language around you

No language is more beautiful than Italian! She sounds so romantic and passionate, it almost sounds like singing about emotions.

🇮🇹 Tip: real Italophiles therefore also take some Italian lessons to become even more Italophiles. We have developed the 'This is Italian' course especially for them. Take a look at what you will learn in this A1 level course.

3. That a lavish lunch is a piccolo pranzo is called

Create a piccolo pranzo is literally a small lunch. But what the Italians understand by such a light lunch can sometimes differ from how we think about it. No surprise for Italophiles, of course.

4. Know that a pepperoni pizza and Hawaiian pizza are anything but Italian

Pepperoni is a sharp salami that has its roots in America. The sausage does not exist in Italy and is therefore not used as a pizza topping. In fact, "pepperoni" may sound Italian, but chances are you'll end up with a grilled pepper pizza. Also tasty, but usually not what the buyer of a pizza pepperoni meant. The same goes for pineapple: fruit on your pizza? That's for children and tourists. But of course a real Italophile already knew that.

5. Don't drink cappuccino after XNUMX a.m.

It's simple: you only drink a cappuccino at breakfast. Italians place great value on digesting food. For example, they believe that an aperitivo such as Aperol or Campari Spritz opens the stomach. An espresso is drunk after lunch and dinner and helps with digestion.

The whole milk used in a cappuccino would ruin the entire digestion. Many Italians have a cappuccino for breakfast, often accompanied by a small sweet.

6. Eat bread AT lunch and not AT lunch

Although bread is considered a full-fledged lunch for most Dutch people, it is different for the Italians. They eat bread with their dishes, for example by dipping it in the sauce. This immediately explains why table bread at restaurants is usually not very tasty: it is not the intention to eat it like this.

7. Able to communicate with hand gestures

Hand gestures are part of a conversation in Italy. It expresses your emotions, thoughts and passion. Keep in mind that the way of communicating can differ in different parts of the country!

8. Being a big fan of football

In Italy football is taken very seriously. This is not surprising when you consider that the country has some extremely good clubs and not a bad national team either. Only when the national team plays is Italy united. Go Azzurri!

9. Being under the spell of Formula 1

How could it be otherwise: in the country where the car brand and racing team Ferrari was founded in 1929, they must be big fans of F1! And Italophiles can't help but follow.

10. The nice feeling you get when the wind blows through your hair when you ride a Vespa

Cruising through the city, mountains or along the coast: wherever you go, a Vespa is the means of transport. Interesting to know: the brand exists thanks to the Second World War. With the infrastructure completely ruined, thousands of scooters and motorcycles were produced in no time. Thanks in part to Vespa, the economy recovered!

11. That for men, summer comes with Speedos and baby oil

Bronzed bodies with only small colored pants and gleaming with oil: men in Speedos and baby oil are a familiar sight in Italy. Some swimming pools are only allowed to be entered with a ball squeezer, due to hygiene measures. Many men wear such 'dirty' underpants under long, wide swimming trunks.

12. Always wear sunglasses, even if there is not a single ray of sunshine in sight that day and you are inside

 In Italy, of course, you can't get away with fake Gucci sunglasses: Italians love real designer glasses. As long as the frame isn't too small and there's a brand name on the glasses, you're fine. And if you also put it on 24/7, you can't get lost anymore.

13. Not being frugal with olive oil

For olive oil, better too much than too little. Provide that dorade with a good shoot extra virgin olive oil and immerse your baked potatoes completely in this green gold.

14. When the first row of parking spaces is full, just create a new second row yourself

Why park your car ten minutes away, when you can simply create a new parking space yourself? This is mainly done around coastal areas.

15. Make up your own traffic rules

That Italians headstrong drivers being is no secret. Quick lane changes, honk your horn, stop to chat with other drivers: they do it all. Just think like this: as long as you don't follow the official traffic rules, other road users won't irritate you either! True Italophiles know that the traffic gets used quickly once you drive around Italy for a few days.

16. Knowing that the family is big and important

Family is the most important thing there is. On the weekends, the goal is to see as many family members as possible, which is quite a job since the average family isn't exactly small. It is therefore not surprising at all, to have contact with your great-grandnephews and nieces in addition to your twenty cousins. This is changing rapidly, by the way. The Italian birth rate is one of the lowest in all of Europe.

17. More aperitivo time than you could have ever imagined

At the end of the afternoon, working day or not, it's time for a good aperitif such as Aperol Spritz. It helps create a healthy appetite.

18. Knowing there is no substitute for mothers

Male Italians are real mother's children. It is therefore not surprising at all to live at home until you are thirty. Logical too, because Italian moms will do anything for their sons. From washing and ironing to cooking. They often do not leave home until they have found a woman who can take over these tasks. That sounds like something to you too!

19. Grannies trying to stuff food in your mouth every time you take a breath

There is no place where you eat better than at nonna. Grandmothers are known for spoiling their grandchildren with large amounts of food and drink.

20. Not knowing what to do with yourself after eating a huge lunch

On weekends and holidays, lunches (yes, even those piccoli prancia) for an average of two to three hours. That means many courses, enough wine and an overfull stomach. It is also not surprising that after such a meal you only want to sleep.

21. Not trusting politicians

A stagnant economy, corruption, organized crime, unemployment… Italians don't have much faith in politicians. A real Italophile also knows why types like Berlusconi then still be an attractive alternative.

22. Wrapping yourself too thick when the temperature drops just a little bit

When most Dutch people still walk around in shorts and a T-shirt, winter coats and scarves are already being conjured up in Italy. Why even pretend it's hot, with such a wonderful Mediterranean climate.

23. Knowing that Sinterklaas has yet to start after Christmas and New Years

The witch is a figure from Italian folklore who brings presents to children on January 6. It is comparable to our Sinterklaas party, without Zwarte Piet and with a witch flying around on her broomstick. If the children have behaved well, they will receive candy from her. Kids who've been naughty can expect charcoal and dark candy in their sock.

24. Accept that you are usually not helped quickly at a store or the bank

The staff always takes plenty of time to help everyone calmly. And even discuss the latest village gossip with everyone. Do you want to buy a new phone? Then don't be surprised if the staff are discussing the weekend with each other in the meantime. They have never heard of efficiency here, but real Italophiles understand that.

25. Finding a bidet in the bathroom and using it as intended

You've had to wait too long to be able to use it again.

26. Know who this is and what he does in just about every Italian household

27. That blissful feeling when finally crossing the border between Switzerland and Austria (in the right direction)

You are back home and Italy has been waiting for you.

28. Lying on the couch in front of pampus all afternoon

Do as the Italians do. Have an extensive lunch, take a nap and recharge for the evening program.

29. True Italophiles are convinced that there is no better place than Italy

Even if you've never been anywhere else, there's no better place than Italy. Basta.

Do you have any additions to this list that only Italophiles understand? Leave your comment below.

Photo above: Pixabay