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SOCIAL

How to party with Italians this Christmas

How to party with Italians this Christmas

With just a few weeks to go until Christmas, the party season is in full swing. We’ve put together some tips to help you pass a pleasant time with your Italians chums or in-laws this time of year.

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<b>Be fashionably late -</b> You should take it for granted that in Italy parties always start at least half an hour after the appointed time. Arrive before that and it's tantamount to rudeness. Take for granted that your host will still be preparing. Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Pucker up -</b> In a party setting you shouldn’t be surprised if total strangers greet you with a kiss on each cheek, especially after a few drinks. It goes without saying that you should greet your friends this way. The same goes for when you say goodbye. Oh, and don’t forget to kiss all the people you’ve talked to at the party.Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Bring (and share) your own booze -</b> In Italy the bring-your-own-booze rule still applies but you should be prepared to share it with the other guests. As for the booze itself you should only buy wine when you know what kind of food they will serve. Otherwise, traditional Christmas beverages in Italy include mulled wine (in Italian they use the French Vin brûlé) and Bombardino (a kind of Italian eggnog made from a mixture of Brandy and Vov, a liqueur made from eggs). A good Vino Spumante (sparkling wine) also never goes amiss.   Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Bring your own cake -</b> As well as some booze you might want to consider bringing a Panettone or Pandoro, which are Italian cakes typical for this time of year. A Torrone is also a good bet. These are often shared later on in the evening.  Photo: N i c o l a/Flickr
<b>Raise your glass -</b> Once you’re sat down at the dinner table, don’t immediately reach for your glass even if you’re dying to have a sip of that delicious wine. In Italy you’re usually expected to clink glasses with each person and say either “salute” or “cin cin”. Oh, and don’t forget to look them in the eye, otherwise it’s seven year’s bad sex. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Leave your diet at the door –</b> Being on a diet and going to an Italian party are a contradiction in terms. So make sure you leave plenty of room. Are you a vegetarian? Then you might be more comfortable in another country. Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Compliments to the chef -</b> Back to the important bit: the food. Italians don’t tend to cut corners in the kitchen and take pride in their culinary creations. So don’t forget to compliment the host (and the host’s mother, who probably passed on the recipe).Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Behave yourself -</b> In English-speaking countries it may be socially acceptable to drink your sorrows away during this festive time of year, but in Italy most usually manage to preserve their dignity (or at least their consciousness).  Don’t expect to be having a raucous office Christmas party with your Italian colleagues. There may be no event at all or if there is it's usually quite a formal affair. Photo: The Lakelander/Flickr
<b>What not to wear -</b> In Anglo countries it’s almost as if everyone has a licence to look as stupid as possible. Unfortunately in Italy this rule does not apply. Italians take great care with their appearance, especially at a special occasion. So best to leave your favourite reindeer jumper and Santa hat at home.   Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Don't leave your wallet at home -</b> Italians often gamble and play cards during the Christmas period like the trick-taking card game “Bestia”, the Italian version of Blackjack “Sette e Mezzo” and “Tombola”, a type of raffle that originated in southern Italy. If you’re short of cash there’s no need to have a heart attack. Most of the time you’ll probably just play with symbolic amounts of about €5.Photo: Wikicommons


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