How to not be labeled as a foreigner

The proverb, When in Rome, do as the Romans do, encourages people to adopt to the place they are visiting. With the 2027 America’s Cup in Italy, this has heightened significance, with the event providing five tips to help blend with the locals:

1. An Italian would never order a cappuccino after midday
Italians drink cappuccino only at breakfast. There’s a margin of tolerance that allows this habit to stretch until noon, but absolutely no later. Ordering a cappuccino at lunch—so, alongside savory dishes—could be considered a real sacrilege! There are plenty of drinks that can accompany lunch; avoid coffee with milk if you don’t want to be immediately labeled as a foreigner.

2. Don’t be afraid to try out your Italian: you’ll win over your conversation partner
We all know Italian is a complicated language. Precisely for this reason, if you make the effort to put together a few phrases, people will immediately warm to you. Even simple expressions like Ciao, Grazie, Arrivederci will always be appreciated. And if you really want to impress, throw in a “mamma mia” to emphasize your amazement.

3. Breakfast is sweet
From north to south, places offering brunch and savory alternatives have become widespread, but for Italians breakfast is sweet. A croissant and cappuccino are a must, though there are some exceptions—like pizzetta sfoglia in Cagliari or the Neapolitan sfogliatella—and every café (coffee shop or pastry shop) has its own specialties. Forget the blood sugar spike—the smell of freshly baked croissants is irresistible!

4. For Italians, clothes make the man
Italians’ love for fashion is no urban legend. Try going grocery shopping in flip-flops and you’ll immediately be labeled a foreigner. In Italy, flip-flops are only worn to go to the beach. In general, people dress with care for every occasion. Even the supermarket can become the perfect place to take inspiration for style.

5. Physical contact is natural
Italians—especially from Rome southward—are very warm. Physical contact is a way of expressing esteem and affection, so don’t hold back on pats on the back, hugs, and above all, when saying goodbye, know that the double kiss is a must. In fact, kissing is commonly used as a greeting; it indicates familiarity and affection and is often a more informal alternative to the classic handshake.

Details: https://www.americascup.com/

Defender New Zealand and Challenger of Record from Great Britain confirmed the Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup on August 12, 2025. The close of the initial entry period was October 31, 2025, with late entries considered up to March 31, 2026.

Current entrants:
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) – Defender
• Athena Racing (GBR) – Challenger of Record
• Luna Rossa (ITA) – Challenger
• Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI) – Challenger
• La Roche-Posay Racing Team (FRA) – Challenger
• American Racing Challenger Team USA (USA) – Challenger

After the 2024 event, Barcelona, Spain declined hosting another edition, with the venue moved to Naples, Italy. Challenger racing begins in the spring before the 38th Match on July 10-18, 2027.

Preliminary Regattas:*
May 21-24, 2026 – Cagliari, Sardinia

* More are to be announced.

Source: American Racing Challenger Team USA