"When I first moved from the US to Italy in 2022, I expected some cultural differences, like slower-paced dinners, smaller coffee sizes, and fewer 24/7 conveniences. However, what surprised me most was how different something as simple as grocery shopping felt. The products on the shelves weren't the only thing that had changed - I felt the entire rhythm, environment, and unspoken etiquette of the chore had, too."
"Similarly, I also noticed that Italians seemed to shop more frequently, buying just enough for a few days rather than stocking up for weeks at a time. Meanwhile, in the US, it's more common to go on giant hauls and shop less often. Though going to the store more than once a week wasn't always easy, it wasn't a bad thing, either. I liked that this way of shopping meant having fresher ingredients on hand more regularly."
When moving from the US to Italy in 2022, I experienced noticeable differences in grocery shopping rhythms and etiquette. Grocery shopping often involved multiple stops: local markets for produce, cheeses, and cured meats, followed by small supermarkets for pantry staples. Italians tended to shop more frequently, buying for a few days rather than stocking up, resulting in fresher ingredients. Stores were smaller and had different layouts and social interactions. Some stores welcomed dogs and provided special carts. The emphasis on quality and personal relationships with vendors contrasted with the American habit of one-stop large grocery hauls or online bulk orders.
Read at Business Insider
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