You’re an aperitivo – or ‘ape’ – aficionado
Milan is famous for its lively aperitivo culture.
The ape, as the Milanese call it, is an unmissable post-work ritual on weekdays and an indispensable part of any reputable evening out on weekends.
It consists of a tipple of choice – a bubbly Spritz with Campari or Aperol, a classic Vermouth, a glass of wine or beer, or even a cocktail like a Negroni or Americano – and a few complimentary snacks.
Though some bars may only serve some olives, chips or taralli together with your drink, many bars and enoteche (wine bars) across the city have upped their aperitivo game in recent years, serving a range of small plates with fancy bruschette, hummus, and cheese.
If you can’t go to dinner without first sipping a cool spritz or a glass of wine and snacking on something salty, you’re officially a Milanese local.
You understand the city by its porte and circonvallazioni
Like many Italian cities, Milan has its fair share of labyrinthian streets and seemingly nonsensical layouts.
Though some areas have a straightforward grid formation, the city’s true navigation nightmare for the uninitiated is its circonvallazioni.
READ ALSO: Five essential tips to make life in Milan easier
These three ring roads confusingly change names as they girdle the city, dividing it into four concentric circles. These areas are further divided into neighbourhoods, often taking the names of the old city gates, or porte.
If you know the location and layout of all of Milan’s 11 major porte – from Porta Venezia and Porta Romana to Porta Nuova and Porta Ticinese – you’ve mastered the city map.
You only trust the metro to move around the city
It takes a lot to keep the city’s bustling crowds on the move, and the metro’s five underground lines run like clockwork (except during strikes and football games).
By Italian standards, the Milanese underground rail services are like a Swiss watch.
READ ALSO: How to use Milan’s public transport
As for buses and trams, locals know not to trust above-ground transportation methods, especially if they have to get anywhere quickly.
You never dine out without a reservation
The Milanese food scene is constantly evolving, with new spots popping up on an almost monthly basis.
Competition for a table at that new natural wine bar with Italian-Japanese fusion cuisine may be fierce.
If you’re eyeing any of the talk-of-the-town bars and restaurants, you’ll definitely need a reservation, even on a weeknight.
Conveniently, many restaurants have booking services on their websites or on The Fork mobile app (available for both Apple and Android users).
You’ve perfected the sidewalk slalom
Milan moves to the rhythm of the work day.
Peak hours are a stampede of nine-to-five workers racing to their workplace and then rushing back home (or to their favourite aperitivo spot).
READ ALSO: Six downsides to expect from life in Milan
If you’ve been living in the northern city for a while, chances are you’ve mastered the art of slaloming through crowds on Milan’s busiest streets with the speed and grace of a champion alpine skier.
You’re always complaining about the air/traffic/weather
Milan is known for having poor air quality, stifling traffic (especially around peak commute hours) and less than agreeable weather.
If you live in the city, you’ve likely come to accept that these things are just a part of daily life, but you reserve the right to freely complain about them.
When in town, the topics of Milan's greatest defects could be a great conversation starter with locals, but make sure to mention some of its better qualities as well to get on their good side.
You dress to impress (yourself)
It’s hard to live in Milan for a significant period of time without the city’s obsession with style seeping into you by osmosis.
It’s not just about living in one of Europe’s biggest fashion capitals. It’s also about having an irresistible urge to show the world your personal style.
Whether you’re wearing designer clothing bought on Via Montenapoleone, baggy jeans from a trendy shop or a vintage coat from Bivio, you show up to everything from an aperitivo meetup to a grocery run in whatever tells other Milanesi who you really are.
You put suffixes on everything
Italian diminutive suffixes like -ino, -etto, -uccio and -ello can be put on the end of virtually any word, within reason.
They are used to make something smaller or cuter - like fratellino for ‘little brother’ or casetta for ‘little house’.
READ ALSO: Etto, ino, ello: How to make Italian words smaller
The Milanese, however, like to use them indiscriminately, adding the endings to whatever they like: vinello (wine), corsetta (a run), cinemino (cinema).
You may even find some of these suffixes added to the end of non-native words, like whatsappino (a short Whatsapp message) and drinketto (a small drink, usually an alcoholic one).
Can you think of any other telltale signs that you've lived in Milan for a while? Please share them with us in the comments section below.
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