Culture Shock in Italy: 4 Things We Didn’t Expect

Italy is known for its art, food, and history. From Venice to Rome, its postcard views are everywhere, but moving here means learning more than just the language. The real surprises come from daily life, especially when you settle in for good.

For us, Palermo became home. It has coastal charm, rich traditions, and a quieter pace than city life elsewhere. It also came with a few curveballs. We moved here expecting change, but some cultural differences really caught us off guard.

Here are four culture shocks we never saw coming, based on our experience living in the Province of Palermo. If you’re thinking of moving to Italy, this might give you a better picture of what to expect.

We’re not sharing this to scare anyone off. It’s just what we wish someone had told us sooner.

• Lost Identity
• Communication Fatigue
• Family and Social Structure
• Environmental Differences

Lost Identity: Keeping Your Maiden Name

In Italy, women keep their maiden names after marriage. That was new for me. My U.S. passport has my married name. My Italian documents don’t. They only show my maiden name.

I’ve been married for decades, but suddenly it felt like I had to go back to my old name in public settings. It wasn’t wrong, just unfamiliar.

Every time I filled out paperwork or made an appointment, I had to pause and remember what name to use. Eventually, I got used to it. It’s just how it works here, and I started to understand the cultural thinking behind it. Names stay tied to family heritage. That means something in Italy.

Communication Fatigue: Small Talk Is Everywhere

In the U.S., I could go to the store, get what I needed, and leave. Here in Sicily, every outing can turn into a conversation. A long one.

Whether I’m picking up bread, tossing trash, or walking home, someone usually stops me to chat. At first, I found it exhausting. I wasn’t used to it, and I didn’t have the language skills to keep up.

But over time, I began to see the value in it. These small exchanges build trust. They build community. Even if I was tired or just trying to focus, I realized this openness is part of what makes Palermo so welcoming.

Family and Social Structure: Everyone’s Involved

In the States, we mostly think of family as parents and kids. Maybe grandparents. In Sicily, it includes everyone: cousins, uncles, second cousins, you name it.

That structure shapes daily life. Sunday lunches with three generations aren’t rare, they’re normal. Family support runs deep, and people rely on each other for everything from childcare to help with errands.

It took some getting used to. Not just the number of people involved, but the expectation that family time comes first. In August, everything slows down for Ferragosto, and many businesses close completely. That was hard to adapt to at first. Now I see it differently. It’s not about inconvenience, it’s about values.

Environmental Differences: Noise, Weather, and Daily Life

Palermo is loud. Really loud. Between vendors, barking dogs, fireworks, and traffic, it’s never truly quiet.

We came from a quieter suburb in the U.S., so this was a major adjustment. At first it felt chaotic. Now we just roll with it. It’s part of life here, part of the rhythm of the city.

The weather was another surprise. Summers are hot and sticky, and most homes don’t have central air. Fans and open windows are the norm. It’s manageable, but it’s something to be ready for.

Even things like mobile vendors took time to adjust to. Vans pass through neighborhoods, honking horns to sell produce or bread. It used to annoy me. Now it’s part of the soundtrack of daily life.

If you’re thinking about moving to Sicily, these culture shocks aren’t deal breakers. But they’re real. Knowing ahead of time makes it easier to adjust.

The key is to stay open. Expect surprises. Let the differences shape you, not frustrate you. For us, the shift has been worth it. Life here is slower, warmer, and more grounded in relationships. And it’s exactly what we needed.

For a closer look at what life here costs, we break it down in this post on the real cost of living in Sicily.