Florence Local Customs

On the south side of the loggia del Mercato Nuovo is Tacca’s famous Boar (Il Porcelino) from 1639.

You can always see crowds of people round it, testing their luck. All you have to do is put a coin in the boar's mouth and let it fall into a hole under it. If the coin falls next to the boar, leave it there and try with another one.

Down in the old crypt of the Duomo we saw this emergency exit. I had to laugh, but I really hope there will never be any emergency with people in panic trying to get in line and climbing up the ladder.

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If you are lucky enough to be in Florence on January 6th, you're likely to come upon events celebrating the Epiphany. Unfortunately, I was unable to find out exactly what was going on but it was fun to mingle with the local people and enjoy the events.

In the morning, there was a lot of activity in front of the Duomo. There was a live cow in a stall and a sound system was being set up, presumably to relay a service to people outside.

Then later in the day, I came upon a colourful display by men dancing with flags. I felt sure that one of the large flags was going to come flying my way but the dancers were extremely skillful and it was an impressive performance.

Eating in restaurants - throughout most of Italy not just Florence - is very different (excluding tourist traps) than in the U.S.
Just because you aren't lavished with attention doesn't mean they don't care. Italians tend to be laid back about almost everything (except calcio maybe!). You may wait 5 or even 10 minutes (if it's very busy) for your waiter to arrive. Use this time to pick out an antipasto & wine!
Also, they typically don't check back to see how your food is. They will usually be nearby or pass by though, so if there is an issue just politely flag them down/call them over. Please don't call Waiter! (in any language!) or (heaven forbid) snap your fingers to do so. Usually eye contact and a nod will do, although a friendly "per favore" will do the trick too.

They won't rush you, as dining in Italy is an experience, and it is not unusual to take 2 or 3 hours to dine. When you're ready for the check, you'll need to ask for it. Be sure to ask if the "servizio" is included. While we found that in Florence it usually was (not the same thing as the coperto), in Venice it often wasn't.

Most places are very helpful, just bring a phrasebook with you to be sure you're understood (especially if you have food allergies or sensitivities). Don't be rude and assume they speak your language - at least attempt to speak Italian. Even if you aren't very good at it or only know a little, that little bit will go a long way. Cin Cin!

It seems the Florentines start drinking a lot earlier than we do! One sunday morning around 10.30 am we stopped at a Tabacchi for a sanwich and cofee to find one of the customers enjoying champagne with their espresso!

Another day, we had a and early lunch (more like brunch!) at the Mercato Centrale. After we'd given our orders the lady asked us if we wanted wine too. We checked out watches and it was 11.45! Ah well, we were on holiday....!

One thing is for sure though, drunkenness is frowned on by the locals. After speaking to a few locals it seems that this is something the tourists bring with them. Certainly when, you go to bars you'll notice that people go out to chat, meet people and have fun, not get wasted.

Every september, the 7th, in Florence there is a traditional festival called Festa della Rificolona. It is a tradition since the 17th century. By that time, every September the 7th, many people living in the country and mountains around Florence, were coming in Florence with their wives, in order to celebrate the nativity of Mother Mary in Santissima Annunziata Cathedral, and in order to participate, the day after, to the fair organized in the square in front of the Cathedral and in Via de’ Servi (Servi street). In order to gain the best place at the fair (so that their products could be seen and sold by cliets) these people used ton go in the square and in via de Servi after the celebration of Mother Mary and to stay in those places the whole night of the 7th. But these streets were dark so these people used lamps in order to see. These lamps had many different shapes and colors, and they were made with paper. These people were singing the whole night. Nowadays in September the 7th, in the city center, you can see kids with colourful paper lamps who go around Florence singing “ONA ONA ONA MA CHE BELLA RIFICOLONA!”

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There is a Value-added tax (IVA) imposed in Italy which is 12% on clothing, 19% on luxuries. Usually on other consumer goods (not necessarily services), the IVA has already been included in the price shown on the tag.. Visitors are able to get the tax refunded when you leave Italy. Just take the goods and the invoice to the customs office at the airport or any other point of departure and have the invoice stamped.

A non-EU resident can also obtain a refund of tax paid if a total of 300,000 lire is spent in one store (before tax). Don’t forget to carry your passport and ask the store for an invoice which itemizes the goods purchased, the price and the total of tax paid. Once you are back home, you can mail the stamped invoice to the store (within 90 days of the date of purchase), which will then forward the IVA rebate to you.

A large number of stores in Italy (and Europe) are members of the Tax-Free Shopping System, which speeds things up by providing an invoice which is actually a Tax-Free Cheque for the amount of the refund. Once it is stamped, it can be cashed at the Tax-Free Cash refund window which can be found at major airports and border crossings.

Italians generally are well dressed. Men are not requested to wear jackets or ties usually unless for formal occasions or upmarket restaurants and hotels. Formal dress is usually reserved for those who wish to wear it to the opera.

Dress codes rules to visit churches are fairly strict. Arms and shoulders of women should be covered and a shall will suffice. Shorts are definitely out for both women and men.