Padova Local Customs

YUM.

There are no words to describe hot chocolate that can be so dense as to nearly resemble pudding... made with a dash of cornflour, cioccolata densa has reinvigorated my love of chocolate-y beverages.

You can order them at the bar, but I have found convenient little sachets in the supermarket. Perfect for a late-night snack. Somehow they seem to creep into the basket every time I pop into the store. Sneaky little things.

Since I arrived in Padova, I've been on the hunt for a good Italian language course that fits in with a full-time job (not an easy feat, it seems!). I've found classes for learning the language while cooking, while dancing, while listening to opera, and even one for over-50s only (a bit age-ist, don't you think?). They were in general all inconveniently-timed, super expensive, or taught in Italian.

The one I've stuck with is through an association called VIDES. Run by nuns and volunteers, and only 7 euros/year (nope, that's not a typo), it provides a great opportunity to learn no matter what your ability or native language. You gather, get put into smallish groups loosely based on skill and language, and each group has a tutor. You get some good personal touches and lots of opportunities to ask questions. And best of all, it's at 8pm on thursday and 2.30pm on saturday, so it fits in brilliantly with work (or uni).

Just as an extra note, the benefits of the uni vibe in Padova is that there are many students (and non-students) that want to practise their English... so a great way to learn is to trade a little English for un po' Italiano. Meeting up for a regular coffee and bilingual chat means you get to teach, learn, and make a new pal all at the same time.

Ahh, I love my adopted country, the land of brilliant coffee. I haven't had a bad one yet (even the vending machine coffee gets a thumbs-up!). While I do recommend a leisurely visit to Caffe Pedrocchi (and to experience the famous Peddrochino), there is a custom or two to follow if you want the everyday Italian coffee experience:

1. Drink at the bar. You stand, have a chat and a pastry, drink your coffee, and go.
2. Don't order a milky coffee after lunch. Caffe latte and cappuccino are morning drinks only. Trust me, as a former cappuccino lover, the macchiato will take you places you have never been before.

Find a nice little bar, and go there every day while you're staying in Padova. Getting to know the staff is a great part of the experience.

The Italians appreciate a good walk, and in the center of Padova are many pedestrian walkways and piazzas where they stop and talk to their friends.
The evening is a good time to see this, but during the day you will see many of the older citizens out walking.

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When you are in Padova you will find many gelato shops. Most of them make their own gelato and people in Padova become attached to their favorite shops.
The one featured here is a so called bio gelato, using only real flavors and ingredients.
The photo shows the receipt for 4 scoops of gelato, two persons.
Be prepared for the price and to not get very much gelato. The little baby spoon they give you helps it last longer.
GROM Il Gelato Come Una volta
Piazza dei Signori, 33, Padova

In Italy, good manners rule. This is practised everywhere you go, and is a bit of a shock to a Canadian, and I feel Canadians are generally well mannered.

For example, when a person walks into a store or bar, it is important to acknowledge the shop keeper by saying "Buon giorno" if during the day, or "Buona sera" if after 4pm. Customers walking into a shop will greet other patrons in the same manner.

I haven't quite figured everything out yet, but my rule of thumb is, if eye contact is made, it is safer to greet.

In a gathering of people, other than a commercial setting, it is also customary to shake hands with everyone, or do the 'cheek thing' which is usually reserved for close friends. I still feel most uncomfortable with this practice..

Remember, as important as greetings are, it is just as necessary to say goodbye. It is considered to be a slight otherwise.

Remember, when in Rome...

This is the celebration for the start of the new university year. All the students wear their traditional mantel and feluca and walk around the center in big groups.
They usually play jokes to everybody and the tradition is that they run to the center high school buildings and free the younger students. Sometimes they play jokes to the high schools too, I can remember once they put a huge lock to the school's gate so nobody could get in, the school had to call the firemen to open it up, by then we were all disappeared already :DDD

February the 8th is a big day for all Padova's University students, the celebration have a historical reason, the 8th of February 1848 Padova's students rebelled against the Austrian dominators and many of them were killed.
Over the years, around 1900 they decided to make this day, 8th of February, the day when they elect their new representative at the University and, at the same time, to celebrate those who died trying to fight the Austrian.

During the day you will see many students walking around the center dressed up with their traditional black mantel. They will have several pins on it and they will wear a hat called "Feluca". The color of the hat indicate the faculty they are graduated or students.

For example:

White is litterature
Blue is law
Black is Engineering
Red is Medicine
Green is Science
etcetera