Italian Breakfast: Many a tourist has walked tummy grumbling out of their hotels in the morning. Italians are not big on the "most important meal of the day". Breakfast in Italy is usually a croissant and an espresso.
Luckily for some of us most Italian hotels are catching on and now serve plenty of cereals, yogurt, fruit, cold meats and bacon and eggs.
Lunch and Supper: (Tea and dinner) The menu is usually the same for both and depending where you are in Italy the main meal could be either lunch or supper.
Meals are made up of "antipasto" - starters, then "primo" - a pasta or rice dish, "secondo" - the main meal, usually white or red meat. (Remember vegetables, fries and salads must be ordered separately.) After that comes cheeses, breads and salami and /or other cured meats. Lastly is "dolce" - sweets, which can be desserts or fruits. And finally an espresso (not a Cappuccino) or a liqueur (like Amaretto).
Table etiquette: As in most countries you start with the outside cutlery and move your way in after each course. Napkins are on the right and bread will be on the left.
Napkins are placed on the lap and forearms (not elbows) should rest on the table, not on the lap (as in Anglo-Saxon fashion).
Word of warning: If you do get invited to lunch with some italian friends, do expect a few courses. Go easy on trying to impress the host by eating gigantic pasta proportions (for which you will be heartily encouraged) rather pace yourself for the food assault that's about to follow! (It happened to me once, say no more.)
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