Do As Romans Do, Rome

News: TUSCAN VILLAGER WINS 148 MILLION EURO ON SAT, AUG 22!
This week, Aug 20, was the 86th draw without a winner and pushed the pot to 146.9 million euros for Italy's SuperEnalotto jackpot. It remains the world's biggest prize. Germans, Austrians and other foreigners are heading into Italy to play the lottery ahead of a record euro131.5 ($186 million) jackpot, including some who flew into Milan for a few hours just for a chance to win Thursday night. Since the last six-number win at the end of January, Italians have bet some 1.5 billion euros in the hope of becoming a millionaire, which translated into revenue of about 700 million euros for state coffers.
The advantage of the Italian game over others, especially those in America, is that SuperEnalotto pays out the full prize almost immediately, while US games give winners the pot in long-term instalments or pays a single, reduced prize.
SuperEnalotto winners also receive interest on their winnings from the time they redeem their slips to when they receive full payment, which usually takes two months for big payouts.
In order to win at SuperEnalotto, betters must choose the correct six numbers drawn from one to 90.
Ironically, this Italian lottery is one of the most difficult to win in the world.

* The odds of being able to win the jackpot by matching all six numbers are 1: 622,614,630!
* The odds of matching five numbers including the ‘Jolly number’ are 1:103,769,105.
* The odds of matching any five numbers are 1:1,235,346
* The odds of matching any four numbers are 1:11,907
* The odds of matching any three numbers are 1: 327

Yet, the Italian lottery has given out some of the biggest jackpots in recent times. A jackpot of euro 72 million went to a single ticket bought by ten people in a bar in Milan. A schoolboy is also known to have won a jackpot once at the Italian lottery.
Of course, there is a catch - you have to buy a ticket!! Buy at any sign-posted lotto seller in Italy or buy on-line from where ever you are.
As of April, 2011, the record lottery winners are:

*An unnamed player from Bagnone, Italy, who won €147.8 million in the SuperEnalotto game on Saturday 22 August, 2009.

* The largest lottery winner in the USA (as far as single ticket-holders are concerned) is Andrew Whittaker, a West Virginia player who picked up a $315 million Powerball jackpot on Wednesday 25 December, 2002.

* The largest lottery winner in the UK was an anonymous player who won £113 million in the EuroMillions game on Friday 8 October, 2010.

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Here are a few photos of the water fountain in the Piazza beside the Pantheon. Signor Nasoni - the Romans call these water faucets that you see throughout the streets of Rome "big nose" ("nasoni") - and nasoni was serving everyone well today - a warm summer day in bella Rome. Children were playing - tourists were filling their water bottles - a woman was washing a spot from her skirt - men were dowsing their faces - and, as intended, those who know how to drink from the top were quenching their thirst. Note the locals way of drinking from the faucet in photo 1 - you don't need to stoop too much to drink - just stop the water flow with a finger at the main spout and the water will come up through a little hole at top of the faucet.
Photo 1 - Dad knows how to do this
Photo 2 - We can just play in the water, can't we
Photo 3 - One of the nice looking faucets
Photo 4 - Be sure to do it right by closing off the bottom faucet as that is where these guys drink!
* Note that these are the same water fountains you should use to fill your water bottles - buy your bottled water just once and here you will find the best-tasting water in Rome!

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The water in Rome is of very high quality. The fountains that you see around town are potable water. So when you feel the need to have some water do not hesitate to use them.

We Americans are obsessed with bottled water. Aside from the obvious environmental effects of billions of plastic one time use bottles, bottled water is some of the least regulated water you can drink in the first world countries.

So dump the plastic and do as the Romans do. When in Rome….

In my wanderings across the city, I saw people drinking water from fountains, not with cupped hands below the spout. The proper way to do it is by plugging the spout with a finger, so the water sprays out from a hole or two on the top of the spout. It seems a bit messy at first, and you have to be prepared to have some water splashed on you the first times you do it, but it is actually more practical, and seems more hygienic. You don't have to wet both your hands (which may not be so clean to start with), and you don't have to bend that low or make too much of an acrobatic pose to drink from cupped hands without spilling too much water. It takes a bit of practice though.

A common question on the Forum here is "What do I wear when visiting a church in Italy?"

It is often posted outside the church door but if you are getting dressed in your hotel room, that doesn't help much. I just happened to take a photo of the door in the cathedral in Arezzo and it applies to most churches in Italy. (The red underline is my own.)

Rule #1 is "Use proper dress" and underneath is says "Shoulders and legs must be covered."

Elbow-length sleeves are all right and knee-length skirts seem to be okay too. We've seen various lengths of shorts treated differently at different churches. Sometimes, the knee-length shorts are allowed and sometimes they are not. I'm not sure how you know until an usher asks you to leave so it might be better to skip the shorts if you know you will be visiting churches.

Ladies can carry a sarong or wide scarf and it can act as a shoulder wrap (covering those scandalous arms) or as a wrap skirt . . . depending on which you need. Slacks are okay for ladies and capris are another thing that are allowed in some churches and not in others. I'd opt for a skirt rather than capris in town . . . or just wear light slacks if it's hot.

Gentlemen might find it easier to wear slacks or khakis in the city. If it's very hot, wear lighter ones. It works for my husband.

It may seem a nuisance and you may not do it at home, but "when in Rome . . . "

BTW, I took the "rules" photo in Arezzo but you will see the same rules all over Italy and in larger churches there will be ushers to enforce the rules.

if you are going to go to Italy, understand quickly that this is the fashion capital of the world! And they really mean it.

Someone suggested to me the following tips and I'll pass these tips on to you.

Dress Smart.
On the whole, Italians dress far nicer than most of America. They are very fashion conscious. And if you show a bit of respect for their culture, they will most certainly treat you better. And being treated better is very important.

The nicer you look, the better table they will give you. The better the service will be and in general, the level of respect you will receive will be much much nicer.

This doesn't mean everything has to be super expensive, but looking well put together represents you and our country better.

Also, the more you fit in, the less you will be hounded by pick pockets and street beggars as they won't so much think of you as a tourist right off the bat. and that's a good thing!

Almost no man wears short sleeves. Even in the summer an Italian would prefer to roll up their sleeves than where a short sleeved shirt. Almost all men wear shirts with a collar, slacks and nice and usually black shoes. If you are a man and you are wearing a decent button up shirt that fits well, some comfortable black slacks and black slips on's or lace up's, you'll fit in fine. In the evening you may want to add a nice jacket to this. If the weather permits a nice jacket all day is fine and will also give you a place to hide your money in an inside pocket. And i'm talking about a blazer here.

If you are a kid (16 to 24) you could probably get away with some very nice jeans as long as they are fashionable and a trendy t shirt and belt. Leave your white tennis shoes at home and addidas is KING.. don't ask me why, but the kids love them.

if you are a woman, dress up a little. Dresses, skirts and even suit like fashion is ok. The woman in Italy certainly over do it. Their hair, little makeup and clothes are always in taste and usually a bit risque. So if you have it in you, flaunt it a little. More mature woman in Italy dress accordingly with their age and they always stay very well Kept.

And of course it's very important that you stay comfortable, that's obvious, but do take some time before you go to shop a little so step off the plane feeling like you fit in. It's ok to act any more richer than you might be while you are there, it's actually fun even.

As far as Rome goes, the clothing stores are out of this world! I would actually suggest you have room to buy some clothes there. Anything you could eve need is right there.

Be sure to have comfy shoes but also shoes that look nice. Last time I went I found a pair of Bruno Magli slip on's that is the most amazing and comfortable shoe I've ever worn. Like a tennis shoe inside but super sharp on the outside and you would have never guessed. They were a tad expensive but for two weeks saved my feet and i love to wear them today still.
(cut and paste link below into your browser)

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446196367&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492105223&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1266305366507&ev19=1:4

Woman, you're on your own, but be comfy but nice. Most woman I saw wore these heels that made MY feet hurt.. tough one. And most of the streets are no where near level with cobble stone streets and holes all over them. They seem to navigate it amazingly, looked hard to me.

No sweats! No Sports shoes (unless you are about to play soccer)
No tank tops for men, my god no tank tops! And absolutely do not try to go into a church with bare shoulders or legs. Woman with nice shoulders can do the summer tank but men, forget it. and anyone going in a church should cover up.

no ill fitting clothes, no stupid t shirts, leave your nascar #3 hat at home.

If you have a very nice mono tone t shirt under a blazer, that's probably ok. Tuck it in and look well put together. Also, turtle necks in the winter look nice under a jacket as well.

No shorts for men if you can help it! You stand out like sore thumb. NO ONE wears shorts. Young girls do, but they usually opt for the very very short skirt instead... don't trip when your walking behind one, your wife will smack you!

Absolutely no shorts in the evening!

No flip flops unless you are at the beach

NO NO NO white socks under slacks. If you didn't know that already, you probably shouldn't go in the first place. Socks should blend in.

No short sleeved shirts, again especially in the evening. No tie is needed unless you are really going to a very nice restaurant or being entertained

Also, think subdued. Most Italians stick to the basic colors with almost no one wearing anything too flashy or bright. Maybe some very hip young single people, but even that's kind of rare.

And the woman LOVE their purses, so if you got a Fendi, pull it out, if you don't have one, buy one.. along with a nice pair of Versace sunglasses, you'll fit right in. The woman pride themselves on these things.

Be Stylish and be elegant and comfortable. It's easy to do if you just try a little.

Watch these videos.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rlz=1R1GGGL_en___US353&hs=Iox&q=italy+travel+tips+dress&oq=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=Jkp6S5X4GpGXtgfqpvybCg&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCQQqwQwAw#

The traditional seven-fish meal served on Christmas Eve in parts of Italy (particularly in towns along the sea), gets its numeric significance from the seven sacraments. The type of seafood served usually changes based on what’s fresh.
Check on my Restaurant tips for a list of Rome Christmas Eve traditional dinner venues. (List under construction)
Generally, in Rome you will find restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Jewish Getto and in all major hotels (an expensive option).*

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Italians love their cars - and I have become endeared to these little cars I see in our neighborhood. The only model I recognize is the Citron and the "naked" Smart - so, someone help me out here if you know what the others are. Thank you, George - TIABUNNA says this second car is a Morris Minor from England! Grazie!