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When in Rome – What Customs Should You Observe?
The old saying is ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’. But if you are considering moving house to the Italian capital, what are the current traditions? Hamiltons Removals, who can help with commercial and domestic removals to Rome, have been finding out.
Public Holidays
Many of these will be familiar to most European countries – Christmas, New Year’s Day, Epiphany and Easter. It’s worth remembering that three out of every four Italians identify as Catholic, and around one in five of the population still go to Mass every week.
There are, however, several public holidays in Rome and across Italy which are more country-specific – Liberation Day on April 25 (to mark the end of the Nazi occupation) and Republic Day on June 2 (to celebrate the country becoming a republic in 1946).
There are also some public holidays which are specific just to the Italian capital. For example, every April 21, the city celebrates its founding with parades and historical reenactments (Il Natale di Roma). This goes back to the story of Romulus and Remus – the twins who built the city. The former killed his brother, and the city took his name.
And every Italian town and city in the country has its own patron saint and Rome is no exception. St Peter and St Paul are honoured every June 29 in the capital with special Masses and services.
Personal Etiquette
Generally speaking, a handshake is an acceptable greeting for someone you are meeting for the first time, while kissing on the cheek is reserved for friends and acquaintances. As in France, there are two forms of address – the formal “Lei” and the informal “tu”.
When it comes to dining, you should make every effort to eat all the food on your plate as a sign of appreciation for the meal (and the chef). If you are eating out, service charges are usually included in the meal, but feel free to leave an additional tip for exceptional service.
Traditional food in Rome includes plenty of pasta dishes (pasta alla carbonara in particular), but tripe and oxtail stew are also popular local fayre. One thing you should expect, whether eating at home or eating out, is for the meal to last a long time – often stretching over several hours – as they are seen as convivial occasions which are not to be rushed.
Festivals
There are plenty of festivals which aren’t public holidays as well. These include the Estate Romana (Roman Summer), a season-long festival featuring concerts, theatre performances, and outdoor cinema screenings. Most arts disciplines have their own event too, such as the Rome Film Festival, the Rome Jazz Festival, and the International Literature Festival – all of which are famous beyond Italy and often attract enthusiasts from across the world.
Sport
This is deeply ingrained in the culture as well. Rome has two principal football teams, AS Roma and Lazio, both of which have fanatical supporters who flock to the stadium every weekend (matchdays usually take place on a Sunday). However, in spite of their fierce rivalry, the teams share the same stadium – the Stadio Olimpico.
Rugby, particularly the Union variety, has a growing following, helped in part by the Italian team becoming part of the Six Nations in the year 2000. Other popular sports include tennis, golf, cycling and running.
Removals to Rome with Hamiltons Removals
At Hamiltons Removals, we can help with international removals to all parts of Italy, including Milan, Turin, Genoa and Palermo – as well as Rome. For more information, follow this link.
We can offer optional extra services, including packing and unpacking, insurance, and cleaning your old and new home. You can start the whole process off by getting an online moving quote here.
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