basic sicilian etiquette

If you plan to go to Sicily, vacations with friends or family can be a delight. But it is definitely worth spending time to study good manners – the local style. After all, making new friends and impressing the locals with your actions can go a long way in enjoying all the island has to offer.

Start with a firm but not constrictive handshake. This is a good rule of thumb to remember when meeting Italians for the first time. Strike a balance between just enough pressure for the other party to feel recognized, but not enough pressure to feel pain or any kind of challenge. Remember to smile and look into the eyes of the person you are shaking hands with.

Respect the conservative mentality. This Italian island is quite conservative, with strong Catholic sensibilities instilled in the mindset of the locals. You don’t have to agree with everything, but remember to respect their beliefs. Dress modestly, be courteous, and put aside your strongest convictions while in Sicily. Vacations are meant to be relaxed, so don’t bring any preconceived ideas in your luggage!

Avoid drastic hand gestures while speaking. Italians are virtuosos of hand gestures, and Sicilians are no exception. But what may be an innocent gesture, like making a big circle with your outstretched hands or signing the OK sign with your thumb and forefinger, could mean entirely different things to the locals. In the examples above, you would be inviting a fight with the big circle gesture while the OK sign implies that you are gay.

Match the driving speed of other drivers. There is little tolerance for driving slowly or leaving more than five feet of space between you and the car in front of you. Try to match the speed of the vehicles around you, especially on highways, or you’ll get honked for taking your time. But obviously, stay safe and don’t overextend or go beyond your driving capabilities.

Avoid purple, black and red gifts for locals. These colors are taboo and not many tourists realize this aspect in Sicily. The holidays can be a time to give small gifts to any hospitable locals you might meet, but purple is frowned upon because it symbolizes Julius Caesar’s seizure of power; black is reserved for funeral services; and red is a color that symbolizes scandal (especially when it comes to flowers). Beware.

Clean up the extra sauce with your bread. You may make some minor culinary mistakes on your first time in Sicily! Holidays will naturally see you eat out a lot and food etiquette here can be quite complex. But one thing you can do to show the chef or host that you appreciate and enjoy their efforts is to wipe the sauce off your food with the bread. It may seem rude, but in fact it is the best compliment.

Chat at the dinner table, but not while eating. Speaking of food, it is considered impolite to continue talking when the words Buon appetito are spoken. You are expected to respect the food before you by concentrating on it and savoring the flavors rather than conversing with others.