The Rome Index
Etiquette & dress codes
What to wear, how to behave at religious sites, and the common mistakes visitors make.
Dress codes
Shoulders and knees covered for any church or basilica — this is enforced, not a suggestion, at major sites like St Peter's.
At the table
Cappuccino is a morning drink, rarely ordered after 11am. A cover charge (coperto) on the bill is standard, not a scam.
General
Avoid sitting on monument steps where posted signs prohibit it — fines are enforced, particularly around the Spanish Steps.
Greetings and physical space
A handshake is standard for first meetings in any formal or business context; among friends, a light kiss on both cheeks (starting with the right) is common, though visitors aren't expected to initiate this. Standing close during conversation is more normal in Italy than in northern Europe or North America — stepping back repeatedly can read as standoffish.
Volume and directness
Italians, and Romans especially, tend toward louder, more animated conversation and more direct opinions than some visitors expect — this is a cultural register, not hostility. Equally, Romans can be quite blunt about food, football or politics with strangers; taking it personally is usually a misread.
