What are some things that may be considered rude by Italians, but normal for Americans and vice versa?

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Eskimo Joe

Eating before everyone is seated and ready to eat
Not finishing a meal
Not participating in conversation
Acting like you own the place when visiting someone
Refusing a meal or snack...

We love food and a lot of our activities take place in the kitchen. It's a social place and should be respected. As with most cultures, we respect our elders and make sure that we listen when they speak.

Update - In the Italian culture, you don't have to eat like a horse, but yes it is rude to not eat. It's best to visit someone when you are at least a little hungry or you may insult them.

pierluisa

I don't know if you do it in the States as well...in Canada taking your shoes off when enteribg somebody's house is considered a sign of respect, and everybody does it... Don't do it in Italy, or they'll think you are a lunatic!
Also, don't get drinks or snacks for yourself if you are in someone's house... they'll be offered to you (I'm saying this because, when I was in Canada, my friend always said:"help yourself to the fridge"....we don't do that here...

********
if they offer you something to eat, it is polite to accept at least a bit, but we don't get offended if it is refused.

--Flavia--

about the thing that is rude to not eat, well, it depends on where you are and the family... this is really true at southern Italy..
the tradition in Italy wants that when someone offers you something you first refuse, than it will offer to you again and you accept... it's a way to say first "don't worry about me" and than accept because it is shown that wasn't a problem to offer you something..
than.. someone understand when you don't want really nothing, others believe that you're just stand on ceremony...

ontheroadagainwithoutyou

An Italian friend that visited the U.S. got livid when we were in a restaurant and the waiter brought us the check. In Italy, you have to ask the waiter for the check when YOU are ready to leave. It is considered very insulting if they just bring it when they want-even if you have finished coffee and dessert. You are the one to ask for the bill. Lingering in restaurants for hours in Italy is common.

emanu

don't burp and don't fart publicly.

Meals are like a rite: stay at the table, don't chew with open mouth and don't stand up as soon as you've done. Italian people enjoy spending time at the table chatting together.

buffy42516

http://www.culturebriefings.com/Pages/pubstore/pscbit.html

ROMA

Italy's code of good manner is much more formal than America's. Italians who fail to observe these practices are labeled "cafoni," roughly translated as "bad mannered oafs." For example: in Italy it is important to acknowledge the presence of another person. When an Italian meets someone for the first time or the one-thousandth time, he or she always shakes hands. Close friends and family kiss each other on each cheek, usually the right cheek first. At any gathering, no matter how large, Italians are expected to greet each person in the room when they arrive and when they leave, shaking hands or kissing each time, depending on the relationship. Failure to "salutare" (say "hello" or "good bye") is interpreted as a slight. Even strangers are accorded special treatment. When Italians enter a place of business, they say "Buon giorno," (or, if it's after 2 PM, "Buona sera") before giving their order in a shop or entering and on leaving the premises. Even in an elevator full of strangers, Italians say "Buon giorno" when they get on and when they get off.

Stilicone

take off the shoes.

chit-chaat7

in Italy, it is offensive to give the OK hand signal to someone as it means a**hole to them.

touzours

The Italians paying the ref to get rid two players from the US team might be something that the Americans considered quite "rude"

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