Whether whizzing around on a Vespa or resting during apertivo hour, Italians tend to conduct things in a more informal, sophisticated, and cultured manner than Americans. From delectable cuisine to eye-opening coffee to some of the most opulent, trendy, and well-made footwear on the globe, Italians just outperform the rest of the world in certain areas. Here are things Italians do better:
1. Doing nothing.
Italians are so excellent at this that they have a term for it: Dolce Far Niente, which means “the art of doing nothing.” It’s having a more leisurely approach to life, such as drinking coffee at a café or people-watching. Simply enjoying life without feeling the need to Instagram it or make it a self-improvement exercise.
2. Cooking a steak.
Bistecca fiorentina is the epitome of simplicity: a thick T-bone steak seasoned with olive oil, salt, and sometimes some rosemary or lemon, then gently cooked. It’s juicy and tasty, with the emphasis on the meat itself, as a great steak should.
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3. Beaching Out.
From Sardinia to Calabria, Italian beaches are among the best in the world, and there are lots of them to choose from, whether you want the boundless sandy stretches of Sardegna or a tiny private beach of your own. (For true privacy, visit Spiaggia di Guvano, a seriously secretive shorefront where clothing is completely optional.) However, bear in mind that Italians consider the beach to be a social hour, so you’re likely to make some new acquaintances while tanning.
4. Expert craftsmanship
If you’re going to buy a pair of leather shoes and want to make sure they’re the best, you’ll look for the “Made in Italy” label—with good reason. The country not only produces the highest quality leather in cities like Florence, but it also has a degree of craftsmanship that is difficult to equal anywhere else. Brands like Paul Evans show how fantastic it is when tradition, craftsmanship, and attention to detail come together in a pair of excellent leather shoes.
The Dean Chelsea boot shown here was handcrafted by professional artisans at a workshop in Naples, Italy, using the finest calfskin leather. It was black-stitched for superior durability, flexibility, and comfort, and then hand-painted for a stunningly lovely, flawless finish.
5. Longevity
All that olive oil and vegetables are beneficial to the Italian people. According to the Bloomberg Global Health Index, Italy is the world’s healthiest country, with an “excess of doctors” and an average life expectancy in the 80s.
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6. Cultural Appreciation
When it comes to cultural consumption, Italians follow through on their promises. The government paid about €300 million to provide every Italian teen with a €500 credit to spend on books, theater, concerts, movies, museum visits, and other cultural experiences. It’s no surprise that the country generates some highly inventive individuals.
7. Coffee
Coffee, like so many other areas of Italian cuisine, is treated very seriously—essentially black, no sugar—with meticulous attention to every detail, including bean quality, grind, and presentation. In Italy, espresso is something to savor and contemplate, not poured into a to-go cup and consumed on the way to work.
8. Sipping standing up
While Italians are adept at relaxing, they do not drink coffee sitting down. Most cafés will feature stool-free counters where you can sidle up, order your coffee, and drink it standing up. It’s quite relaxing and wonderful to feel the coffee hit while you’re still on your feet. But it’s also a better deal: a cornetti, or standing coffee, is typically less expensive than sitting down.
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9. Skiing
These individuals are also better skiers than others, given the country’s natural terrain. Whether it’s Alpine skiing in the Apennine Mountains or cross-country skiing in northern Italy, this country has some wonderful skiing destinations and skiers.
10. Gelato
The Italians are masters of graceful gluttony. Rather than the gushing, creamy Coldstone monstrosity that Americans enjoy, Italians serve their cold desserts more elegantly. Gelato is refreshing, fruit-focused, and served in a simple cup or cone, making it ideal for eating while strolling around city streets—especially in warmer weather. (And it is unlikely to stain your clothes.)
11. Bread
Italian restaurants rarely offer away bread in the same way that we do in America, and for good reason: the bread in Italy is superior. A basket of fresh focaccia with a generous serving of oil and vinegar is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and it is well worth the extra euro or two.
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12. Creating Wild Sculptures
This country has many painters, but some of its best art can be seen outside of museums, in the shape of odd sculptures that blend into their surroundings. This includes a strange new sculpture of huge hands on Venice’s Grand Canal, the sunken Christ of the Abyss beneath the seas in San Fruttoso, and a massive skeleton in Foligno.
13. Cycling
Perhaps it’s because of all those picturesque sections, but Italians dominate the road when it comes to cycling, winning more World Cycling Championships than any other country save Belgium. The country hosts the annual Giro d’Italia, as well as two of the most important and historic “Monuments” races: Milan-San Remo and the Giro di Lombardia.
14. Football
Italy is wild about football (also known as soccer), and the Italian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup four times, second only to Brazil. Children learn to play as soon as they can walk, and an estimated 4.4 million Italians participate in the sport, according to an Italian National Olympic Committee poll.
15. Happy Hour
So, it’s called apertivo in Italy, and, as you’d assume, it’s much classier and smarter than the sloppy “happy hour” we celebrate here in the US. A relaxing late-afternoon cocktail (such as a Negroni, glass of Pinot, or Aperol spritz) accompanied by complementary snacks—often just olives, sometimes more elaborate. It all feels really elegant and will provide you with enough energy to enjoy your evening before a late meal.
16. Suit Simplicity
Specifically, Italian suits are simple—they’re notable for their absence of pocket flaps, vents, and trouser breaks, with higher buttons than average and a nice slim silhouette. Like with so much that’s great about Italy, simplicity rules in their suit design as well.
