What was your favorite part of this week?

I had the opportunity to travel with my host family to Perugia.

What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week?

Both kids got sick while traveling.

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week. (A “wow” moment is when you went the extra mile to do something nice for your host family.)

In my home there is a maid and a cook that double as nannies. They work so hard and while it is not directly in my area I try to help them out as much as I can.

Tell us about your week!

I have really made an effort to follow cultural norms and be respectful while in Italy. Italy is a fairly western country and adjusting has not been too difficult. What I worry about most is proper eating and table etiquette. Over the past two weeks and have made some useful observations about table manners.

1. Carbs and starches are served first in a separate plate or bowl (i.e. rice, pasta etc.)

2. The next course is often a protein (i.e. meat, eggs etc.) partnered with a vegetable.

3. This is not often a dessert but fruit is commonly eaten at the end of the meal

4. Everything is cut into bite size pieces. If unsure if the food in question needs to be cut utilize the “25 cent rule”. If you would have to open your mouth larger than a quarter it needs to be cut. The older generation also cuts all fruits before consuming.

5. Put all pits in a basket. The traditional method in the United States to relieve your mouth of an unwanted cherry or apricot pit is to delicately pinch the pit between the thumb and pointer finger and gently remove. No such method is used in Italy. Make a fist with you hand, open your hand at the top to create a sort of basket. Discreetly spit pit in the basket and then open the basket at the bottom to allow the pit to fall on the the plate, once again do so discreetly.

6. Always keep hands above the table. Do not rest hands at sides or in ones lap while eating. If a hand is not is use simply allow you wrist to lounge on the table top. It is also not uncommon to have elbows on the table while eating.

7. Eat what you like. As opposed to other cultures it is not considered impolite to not finish one’s food. It is more important that you truly enjoy the food you are eating and that you eat as much of it as you like.

*Please note that all of these tips may be specific to Milan or my host family specifically*