English Settling into Italy in isn’t something that happens overnight. For some, it takes a few months. For others, a few years. But one thing makes all the difference: building routines that help the transition feel smoother.
What starts as something you do just because it looks or feels Italian, like going to the market on Saturday mornings, taking a mid-day coffee break, slowly turns into something real. A habit. A little ritual that, over time, helps you feel like you belong.
We hear this over and over again in the expat interviews we do: funny little stories and unexpected moments that show how people are finding their rhythm in everyday Italian life. So we decided to collect a few of our favorites, all small signs that you’re not just living in Italy, but you’re actually starting to live like an Italian.
1. You’ve stopped stressing about being 15 minutes late
There’s a certain rhythm to Italian life – and it comes with a different relationship to time. Being late by around 15 minutes often doesn’t even require an apology. It’s quietly understood. When people make plans, they almost build the delay into the schedule.
Of course, this varies a lot from region to region. If you’re living in Piemonte, punctuality might still be appreciated. But in places like Sicily or Puglia, even 30 minutes late can be totally fine.
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2. You’ve added two sacred rituals to your week: pizza night and Sunday breakfast at the bar
What’s better than takeaway pizza on a Saturday or Sunday night? It solves everything – especially when you’ve got friends over and no one wants to cook. Not sure what to eat? Pizza is always the answer.
And then there’s the Sunday morning ritual: breakfast at the bar. And even if you’re usually health-conscious, this one’s untouchable. That slow start to the day, maybe bumping into someone you know, taking your time without guilt.. in the end, isn’t that what Sundays are made for?
3. Summer begins and you already feel like you’re on vacation
If you’ve settled somewhere coastal, this will feel especially true. But even if you haven’t, you’ll notice that when summer starts, you don’t really feel the need to escape far.
Indeed, if you’re someone who loves long-haul trips or backpacking outside Europe, you’ve probably noticed that Italians aren’t that many. That’s because for a lot of people here, the main summer holiday happens right at home – usually several weeks off, spent somewhere by the sea.
The truth is, there are just too many beautiful places to choose from. And most of the time, people go back to the same spots year after year because the sea is beautiful, the food is amazing, and…why complicate things when it’s all right here?
4. You’ve mastered the art of the one-minute coffee break
This one ties in a bit with point two, but it’s more of a daily thing. In fact, whether it’s at home, right after lunch, or at the local bar, your coffee breaks have probably tripled since moving to Italy.
But it’s not just about the coffee. It’s the ritual. The quick interaction with the barista, the familiar faces at the counter, the warm greetings. You’re not just drinking a coffee, you’re part of a tiny, everyday community. This is one of the reasons so many expats say their wellbeing has improved: those little, spontaneous social moments really matter.
5. You Talk Louder, Gesture More, and Fillers Like “Boh” Come Naturally
We know it sounds like a cliché, but we couldn’t skip this one. And then.. it’s true.
The volume, the hand gestures, the dramatic tone…it all just becomes second nature when you speak Italian. And then there are the fillers, like boh, mah, or (for younger people) ceh. So if you’ve started slipping these into your daily conversations without even noticing, congrats: you’re officially blending in.
6. You’ve stopped ordering the dishes you’ve mastered at home
This is definitely a next-level sign you’ve settled in.
You used to order certain dishes at restaurants all the time, and now you think, “Nah, I can make that by myself”. Which not only makes choosing from the menu harder, but also means you’ve probably promised someone at home you’ll cook it soon anyway.
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