A Tumbler of Wine without the Tumble

The Italian lifestyle is a simple one, and this is no less apparent in their approach to drink. The average Italian is brought up on a diet of coffee, water and wine (in no particular order). The kitchen drinks cabinet isn’t segregated, non alcoholic drinks are mixed with the stronger stuff and the average Italian parent wouldn't blink an eyelid if their 5 year old, whilst reaching for the milk to accompany their coco pops, found they'd landed on the limoncello instead. There simply isn't a ‘top shelf’ in the kitchen. Nothing is forbidden or out of reach of wandering, prying hands. Whilst, sneaking a bottle of wine out of the house might be fun and add an element of excitement to the affair, drinking alcohol is simply that - drinking alcohol. If you want to up the stakes, you'll have to nick a bottle of your parents finest plonk; only then will an Italian mama shake her rolling pin at you.

So, why the cloak and dagger approach to drinking in the Anglo American world? Why is the image of a teenager chugging out of a brown paper bag, (or chucking-up in one) a stereotype associated with the culture? The dangers of binge drinking are constantly flaunted before the public eye and yet the majority (so the statistics inform us) still seek supposed fun in the bottom of a bottle. If we draw a comparison to the ‘Italian way’, the answer is simple: drinking in the Anglo American world is a taboo subject, whilst the Italians don't grant it any significance. The devil drink that so many people have learnt to love (and hate) isn't glorified in Italy. Table wine is simply table wine and an accompaniment to food.

During the early evening, Italian bars don’t generally advertise any form of happy hour offering drinks at a discounted rate or 2-4-1. Instead, wine bars or cafes will offer a selection of nibbles to accompany a pre-dinner drink. This hour is referred to as Aperativo and the price of the food is included in the cost of the drink. After discovering this added bonus, I questioned the reasoning behind aperativo hour. The Italian response was very matter-of-fact: drinking and eating, together, is better for the stomach (no reference to ‘lining the stomach’ indicating a night of heavy drinking ahead). At no point did the Italian Bar MAN, show any attempt at bravado, drawing a strong contrast to the over-used saying that ‘eating is cheating’ and general belief that downing, skulling, necking (take your pick) a drink is deemed macho.

So, next time you're in Italy don't ask the pretty girl sitting opposite you if she'd like to go for a drink. The Italian vocabulary doesn't provide a direct translation. Instead, be man enough to ask her out for an aperativo.