We’d argue that Italians know a thing or two about how to enjoy life. Be it spending time with friends and family, appreciating fresh produce, or celebrating the beauty all around us, there’s a lot we can learn from Italian culture and lifestyle. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite traditions. Read on to find them all, and maybe incorporate one or two into your daily routine. They’re bound to boost your spirit!
1. Family and friends comes first
In Italy, the coming together of friends and family is a quintessential part of daily life. Whether it’s over a quick coffee in the morning or a long and leisurely dinner, there are multiple points throughout the day where Italians stop and take a minute to enjoy each other’s company. Especially in a world that’s increasingly reliant on social media and digital communication, spending time with loved ones has never been more important.
2. Talking, Talking, Talking
This goes hand in hand with spending time with friends and family, but the act of talking to one another is so important. Even when you hop on board an Italian train, for example, you’ll probably find that whoever sits nearby will want to exchange a few words. The way people tend to communicate is bold, emotive, and often quite loud! We love their predisposition to being open and welcoming – there’s real emphasis placed on enjoying the moment in Italy. People are rarely too busy to stop for a quick natter.
3. Food is fresh, simple and seasonal
It’s no secret that mealtimes are a hugely important part of Italian culture, but there’s a lot we could learn from the type and quality of food that people eat. Italy might be famous for its pasta and pizza, but authentic Italian cooking at home tends to revolve around a Mediterranean diet, which has a lot of proven health benefits. Think fresh fruit and veg, extra virgin olive oil, nuts, and oily fish. Of course, the odd splash of red wine doesn’t go amiss either!
Italian food is also famously uncomplicated. Dishes tend to revolve around a handful of good quality ingredients, with a focus on fresh, local, and seasonal produce. Italy’s nationwide respect for food is unrivaled, and we could all do with taking a little more time to appreciate how our meals are made and where they come from.
Want to learn more about Italian cooking? Why not take a look at our cooking holidays in Italy and Spain? You’ll be transported to Italy (or Spain) from the comfort of your own kitchen as you whip up delicious recipes.
4. Long and leisurely meal times are key
It’s not just what’s in a meal that’s important, but how they’re enjoyed. In Italy, mealtimes are a big deal. Unlike here in the UK where we tend to eat a meal deal at our desks for lunch, Italians will take a proper break to enjoy a leisurely meal, sometimes even popping home to dine with family. It has the double benefit of spending time with loved ones while ensuring you feel properly refreshed to return to work. The same goes for dinner time, which is often a lengthy affair.
5. Coffee culture is king
Coffee is integral to Italian daily life. In fact, even though breakfast isn’t really a huge meal in Italy, most people will always start their day with a coffee in the morning, perhaps alongside a pastry or some sweet bread. If you’ve ever been on an Italian city break, you might have noticed a wealth of cafes and bars scattered around town, filled with locals standing up and enjoying an espresso or two. It’s usually a sociable occasion and a chance for people to take a mid-morning break before carrying on with their day.
Of course, drinking lots of caffeine is bound to fill you with energy too! Although we recommend starting small if you’re not used to drinking a ton of coffee.
6. Always make time for an aperitivo
The Italian ritual of enjoying an aperitivo, or a beverage, before dinner, is one we can get on board with. This is usually alcoholic (although it doesn’t have to be!) and is often enjoyed with a light nibble to help stimulate the appetite. Sounds like a great idea to us. Another reason we love aperitivo hour is because, again, it fits with the Italian’s slower way of life, creating an opportunity to take a break and catch up on the day with friends and family.
Find out more about the art of aperitivo here, including our favourite recipes and the best snacks to pair them with.
7. Take pride in local culture
Whichever beautiful Italian town, city, or village you visit, ask a local and they will tell you why it’s the best one. Italians are fiercely proud of where they’re from, as they should be. Local shops will always sell the specialities of the region, while the shopkeepers themselves will be knowledgeable about each item.
This love of local food also means that markets thrive in Italy, as well as independent shops. Going to get your daily groceries from a bustling and vibrant outdoor market is far more enjoyable than wandering up and down the strip-lit rows of an indoor supermarket.
8. Celebrating beauty in all its forms
Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world – and don’t they know it! From stunning scenery to architecture, art, music and fashion, Italy takes great pride in preserving and appreciating beauty in all its forms. Taking pride in beautiful things can all too often be associated with vanity, but we think being able to see the beauty in the world is an important part of life. It doesn’t just have to be physical beauty either – learning to enjoy the small, simple pleasures of life can have a huge boost on mood and wellbeing.
9. Regular exercise, such as taking an evening passeggiata
Everyone knows that exercise is good for you, so enjoying a gentle passeggiata before dinner makes total sense. This is a leisurely walk or stroll taken in the evening for the purpose of socialising. It involves lots of chatting and appreciating the beauty of your surroundings. Plus, people tend to dress up for the affair to make it even more special. It sums up exactly how life should be enjoyed in one simple word.
10. Slow down
We’ve already touched on this a lot throughout this list, but our favourite part of Italian culture is their commitment to enjoying a slower pace of life. From taking a proper lunch break to their ritual aperitivo, Italians take rest, recovery, and social time very seriously. It’s a lesson we could all learn from here in the UK.
I really enjoyed reading this article. Great writing and very informative! I love the Italian culture, and think we’d all benefit from integrating and cherishing the points you made into our lives. Thank you!