Italians typically take naps, called riposo or pennica, in the early afternoon, generally between 1 PM and 5 PM, to rest during the hottest part of the day, eat lunch, and avoid peak heat, with shops often closing during this time. This midday break allows people to go home for a meal and a short rest (around 20-30 minutes for a pennica) before resuming work or activities in the cooler evening, though it's less common in big cities now.
The "siesta" can refer to the nap itself, or more generally to a period of the day, generally between 2 and 5 p.m. This period is used for sleep, as well as leisure, midday meals, sex, or other activities.
Riposo, also known as pennichella in some parts of Italy, is the Italian version of Spain's, siesta. It's a time in the afternoon when shops close, streets empty out, and Italians retreat indoors to escape the midday heat. But it's not just about catching some zzz's.
Now let's delve a little deeper. It seems that naps aren't actually a frequent occurrence. In fact, when we look at the nap habits of each country as a whole, the most naps, an average of 2.5 per month, are taken in Canada, and the least, just 1 nap per month, are taken in Japan.
Most Italians have breakfast between 7:00 am and 9:00 a.m., before work or school. The city wakes up to the sound of espresso machines hissing and spoons clinking against porcelain cups.
Eating habits are also a factor. Italians who regularly consume fruits and vegetables, for example, have a significantly lower rate of overweight than those who regularly drink alcohol and consume junk food. Obese people seem to get more pleasure from shopping and are more interested in cooking.
In Italy, staying fresh is part of everyday life. More than 95% of the population showers at least once a day, with many doing it twice during the hot summer months. Most keep it short at around five to ten minutes.
New Zealand🇳🇿 is the world's sleepiest nation - getting an average of 7 hours and 27 minutes each night. Meanwhile, people in Japan🇯🇵 get the least rest — just 5 hours and 52 minutes per night, on average.
The koala is the animal that sleeps approximately 90% of the day (20-22 hours), a necessity due to its low-energy eucalyptus diet requiring intensive digestion, making it the ultimate champion of sleep in the animal kingdom, followed closely by sloths and bats.
“It's best to nap earlier in the afternoon, like before 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.,” Dr. Foldvary-Schaefer shares. Any later in the day may make it harder for you to fall asleep at night.
Mornings are reserved for milky drinks, such as a cappuccino or caffè latte, and it is often frowned upon to drink milkier beverages later in the day. After 11 a.m., Italians switch to espresso-based drinks like a simple shot of espresso or a macchiato instead of a milkier cup of coffee.
Generally, it's not rude to tip in Italy, but it can be seen as unnecessary in certain situations. Since tipping is not expected in some cases, locals may find large tips unusual or overly generous. Instead, small, thoughtful gestures are typically well-received and appreciated.
DON'T get out with wet hair!! 💈👱🏼♀️💨 Italians think this can make you sick and they find it very unstylish. So if you take a shower dry your hair before going out 💨
The Do's and Don'ts of Italian Food Etiquette
The Social Aspect of Dining
In Italy, dinner is more than just a meal; it's a social event. Italians value spending time with family and friends over a long, leisurely dinner. Eating late allows for a more relaxed and extended dining experience, where conversation and connection are as important as the food itself.
Yes, the Navy SEAL sleep trick (an 8-minute power nap with elevated legs) is a real technique for quick rest, popularized by former SEAL Jocko Willink, that helps improve alertness and reduce fatigue, though its effectiveness depends on individual relaxation skills and it's not a substitute for full nighttime sleep. The method involves lying down, elevating your feet above your heart (on a chair or couch), relaxing facial muscles, dropping shoulders, and clearing your mind for about 8-10 minutes to promote relaxation and blood flow, preventing grogginess.
Giraffes are known for their unique sleeping habits, requiring only 5 to 30 minutes of sleep in a 24-hour period.
According to WHOOP's data, Aussies are going to bed at 10:45pm on average each night, making us the earliest sleepers globally. On average, we're waking up around 6:44am, which equals a solid eight hours of sleep.
They found that, relative to non-Hispanic White Americans, Blacks/African Americans were 41% more likely to be short sleepers (6 or fewer hours); similarly, non-Mexican Hispanic adults were 26% more likely to be short sleepers, and those in the “other” category were 35% more likely to be short sleepers.
10 hours before bed: No more caffeine. 3 hours before bed: No more food or alcohol. 2 hours before bed: No more work. 1 hour before bed: No more screen time (shut off all phones, TVs and computers).
Circulatory diseases remain the leading cause of death in Italy, followed by cancer. In 2022, Italy's adult smoking rate was slightly higher than the EU average at 19.6 %, marking a resurgence of smoking during the pandemic following a decade of gradual declines.
According to Energy Saving Trust, sticking to 4-minute showers, with the help of a timer, could save 17,000 litres of water per year. This water saving would save money on both the energy needed to heat the water, and on the cost of the water itself, if you have a metered water supply.
Scusi/Scusa, posso andare in bagno? (Excuse me, can I go to the bathroom?): a polite way to ask for permission before answering nature's call.