American Tourists May Look Silly Breaking This Unspoken Pizza Etiquette In Italy

It's a given that Italy is all about food. It's a sacred aspect of their culture — something they center their lives around. Because of this, Italians take their culinary traditions very seriously. There are certain ways that they do things that you, as a tourist, should be aware of if you don't want to stand out like a sore thumb. Just like wearing shorts in Europe makes you stand out as a tourist, breaking unspoken Italian food rules is going to make you look silly, especially when it comes to pizza.

Arguably, Italy's most recognized and beloved food, pizza has origins that stretch back all the way to ancient times. Today, the most common style of pizza is the one that originated in the city of Naples: its circular shape, thin crust, and staples like tomato, mozzarella, and basil are appreciated throughout the world. However, in Italy, pizza is a very personal affair. Italians don't like to share their food, and they especially don't like to share their pizza. When you order a pizza in Italy, the pie you receive is meant to be for you only. If you try to share it with anyone else, you're going to look silly.

In the United States, pizza is often a shared affair. The pies come in enormous sizes, and to get a little more variety, we trade slices with friends and family members. In Italy, however, things are different. As previously mentioned, when you order pizza in Italy, you aren't ordering one for the table. You're ordering one for yourself, because pizza in Italy is a one-to-one ratio. One person, one pizza. While this is completely normal for Italian diners, for Americans the concept of one pizza per person can seem strange. Not only are we used to sharing pizza among others, but we're also used to eating it by the slice. When you order pizza in an Italian restaurant, it comes to you whole. You are expected to eat it as you would any other meal: with a knife and fork.

And just to add one rule on top of another, you're expected to finish your pizza, and this rule may be even more important than the last. While Italians will never rush or hurry you through a meal, they still expect to finish the food that's been carefully prepared and put in front of them. Remember, they take a lot of pride in their food. Not finishing could signal that you didn't like your meal, which may offend the chef. It could also be perceived as wasteful. But if you're truly full and can't get through those last few slices, see if your tablemates will help you. You may look silly to the locals, but it's better to share than to leave your meal unfinished.

There is also an informal rule you should follow when choosing a pizzeria. Not following it won't make you look silly but may mean that you have a less satisfying experience. There are so many amazing spots throughout Italy where you can order pizza. You can enjoy it in a traditional pizzeria or an upscale restaurant or even purchase it from a street cart. One rule of thumb to follow, though, is to see which restaurants are being frequented by the locals versus crowds of tourists. This is a better guarantee of an authentic food experience.

Don't worry about looking silly when it comes to ordering your pizza in Italy, as this is a fairly straightforward affair. While a lot depends on the venue you choose, most pizzerias in Italy will have a couple of standard options, like the classic margherita pizza with a tomato-sauce base and mozzarella cheese topping, sprinkled with basil. Other types of pizza may vary with the season and region, but some of the most common include quattro formaggi (four cheeses), quattro stagioni (usually ham, olives, mushrooms, and artichokes), and siciliana (sardines and other ingredients like herbs, onions, and eggplant slices).

You can also ask to customize your pizza. For example, you can ask for a cheese-free pizza if you are lactose intolerant, and most restaurants will be happy to accommodate your request. Just remember, when your pizza emerges piping hot from the oven and lands on your plate, don't start sharing it. In all honesty, though, it's probably going to look so good that you won't want to share it anyway.