When I first moved from the US to Italy successful 2022, I expected immoderate taste differences, for illustration slower-paced dinners, smaller java sizes, and less 24/7 conveniences.
However, what amazed maine astir was really different thing arsenic elemental arsenic market shopping felt. The products connected the shelves weren't the only point that had changed — I felt the full rhythm, environment, and unspoken etiquette of the chore had, too.
Though I returned to the States earlier this year, present are six things astir market shopping successful Italy that I'm still reasoning about.
Grocery shopping was seldom conscionable 1 stop
In Italy, I learned that market shopping is often a multi-stop process.
I'd prime up caller produce, cheeses, and cured meats from a section marketplace for illustration Mercato Trionfale successful Rome, past caput to a mini supermarket adjacent for pantry staples for illustration pasta, oliva oil, aliases cleaning supplies.
In my experience, it was little astir convenience and much astir value — I'd get the champion peaches from the consequence vendor who knew maine by name, aliases my favourite prosciutto from the butcher who gave maine a recommendation.
This is very different from my acquisition successful the US, wherever I often spell to 1 large market shop aliases spot an bid connected Instacart for everything I need.
People seemed to shop much frequently, too
Similarly, I besides noticed that Italians seemed to shop much frequently, buying conscionable capable for a fewer days alternatively than stocking up for weeks astatine a time. Meanwhile, successful the US, it's much communal to spell connected elephantine hauls and shop little often.
Though going to the shop much than erstwhile a week wasn't ever easy, it wasn't a bad thing, either. I liked that this measurement of shopping meant having fresher ingredients connected manus much regularly.
The stores were smaller — and felt much personal
Even successful bigger cities for illustration Milan aliases Rome, it seemed for illustration galore market stores were overmuch smaller than the sprawling supermarkets I was utilized to successful the US. Think vicinity shops alternatively of warehouse-style aisles.
The action was still impressive, but location was little of the overwhelming "50 brands of peanut butter" vibe.
The smaller locations besides meant I was much apt to spot the aforesaid cashiers and chap shoppers each week. Seeing acquainted faces became portion of my routine, almost for illustration a organization touchpoint alternatively than conscionable an errand.
Some market stores allowed dogs, and moreover had specialized carts
One of the first times I went to a market shop successful Rome, I saw a female pushing a cart pinch a small compartment successful the front. Inside was a mini terrier sitting happily, surveying the pasta aisle.
It turns retired that successful Italy, immoderate market stores let customers to bring their dogs and whitethorn moreover person typical carts for them to thrust on safely.
In the US, shoppers mostly aren't allowed to bring dogs into market stores (unless they're work animals), and moreover then, they're usually prohibited from riding successful the carts.
Eggs and beverage aren't successful the refrigerated section
One point that initially threw maine disconnected was seeing eggs and beverage connected regular shelves, wholly unrefrigerated, which isn't the lawsuit successful the US.
Eggs successful Italy (and overmuch of Europe) spell done a different sanitization process, truthful they're safe astatine room temperature.
Milk besides undergoes a different pasteurization process, truthful it has a longer support life and doesn't request to beryllium refrigerated successful most stores.
Overall, market shopping successful Italy didn't consciousness for illustration a chore
Living successful Italy taught maine that market shopping doesn't person to beryllium a rushed, utilitarian task. It tin beryllium social, intentional, and moreover joyful.
I still emotion the convenience of an American-style one-and-done market trip aliases simply ordering everything I request from an app and redeeming tons of time, but I miss the ritual of stopping by my section market, saying hullo to the section vendors, and carrying location a small paper-wrapped bundle of thing fresh.
Now that I'm backmost successful the US, I effort to bring a small of that Italian attack pinch maine — moreover if my canine still can't thrust successful the cart.
This communicative was primitively published connected October 17, 2025, and astir precocious updated connected August 24, 2026.
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Jenna Curcio is simply a contributing writer for Business Insider.
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