I Lived In Rome For Years. This Is The Italian Food Rule Americans Break Most Often - Tasting Table

"The act of scooping up leftover sauce, oil, or butter from your dish with bread is so ingrained into Italian culture that there's actually a name for it: Fare la scarpetta, which translates to 'make the little shoe.' The bread, which is dragged around the plate to collect every last bit of flavor, is a cherished part of the dining experience in Italy."

"In the United States, bread is often served as an appetizer, especially at fast-casual chain restaurants. However, in Italy, you're generally meant to save it for after your meal, when you can scoop up all that leftover sauce and oil with it."

In Italy, bread is traditionally reserved for after the meal to scoop up leftover sauce, a practice known as 'Fare la scarpetta.' Many American tourists mistakenly treat bread as an appetizer, consuming it before their main dish arrives. This cultural difference can lead to misunderstandings about dining etiquette. The experience of living in Rome reveals various food customs that differ from American practices, emphasizing the importance of adapting to local traditions when enjoying Italian cuisine.

Read at Tasting Table