When in Rome

Bad Driving Habits

I find myself acting more and more Korean when it comes to driving. I am worried that my bad driving habits are going to be a problem when I go back to Canada. Last night I was coming back from Costco, and I found myself speeding and then hitting the brakes near the speed traps. It is something that used to bother me about Korean driving culture. However, now I do it as well. I guess, when in Rome… There are still a lot of bad driving habits that I haven’t adopted in Korea, yet. I have seen some really bad driving. The worst is when someone uses the right-hand lane to go around all the other traffic to turn left on a red light. There is a lot of selfishness in vehicles here.

Meaning

When in Rome is an abbreviation of the longer phrase, when in Rome do as the Romans do. It is ok to just use the smaller phrase as the meaning is very well known. It means to act like local people or do the things that local people do. It is a piece of advice for people living in a foreign country. You may enjoy your vacation more and be noticed less if you act like the people around you. This phrase can also be used in other situations where someone should try to fit in. For example, if everyone wears a suit to your work, you should “do as the Romans do” and also wear a suit.
Example: Have a nice vacation to Mexico. Do as the Romans do and have a siesta.

Origin

I wrote my example before researching where this phrase comes from and I was taken back. According to Ginger Software, it first appears in Interesting Letters of Pope Clement XIV in 1777: “The siesta or afternoon’s nap of Italy, my most dear and revered Father, would not have alarmed you so much, if you had recollected, that when were at Rome, we should do as the Romans do – cum Romanus eris.” My siesta example more accurate than I expected. However, the phrase goes back farther than that.

The idea behind do as the Romans do can be traced back to the late 4^th century. The Roman Empire was split in two and there were different customs and cultures in each empire. St. Augustine was a Christian who moved from Rome to Milan with his mother, Saint Monica. He was surprised that they didn’t fast on Saturdays in Milan. St. Ambrose told him that he only fasts on Saturdays when he is visiting Rome because you should follow the customs of whichever church you are attending.

By 1777, when in Rome do as the Romans do was already a popular phrase. Henry Porter used the phrase to express that he would drink or not drink depending on the people around him: “Nay, I hope, as I have temperance to forbear drink, so have I patience to endure drink: Ile do as company dooth; for when a man doth to Rome come, he must do as there is done.”

Another notable appearance of the phrase comes from Robert Burton’s book, The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621). He is often credited with popularizing the phrase. He wrote, “like Mercury, the planet, are good with good, bad with bad. When they are at Rome, they do there as they see done, puritans with puritans, papists with papists.”

Significance?

NMK World discussed their views on the significance of today’s phrase:

There are many other people with man other ideas. Just because something is right for our community, doesn’t mean it is right for others.
Acting like the local population is a great learning experience because you can empathize and understand the world from their perspective.
When you try to be like the local people, you have a better chance of making friends because you are showing that you are willing to integrate into the culture.
Acting like the people around you will also help you avoid breaking the law. If everyone else is doing, it must be ok.
We can also grow as people by trying new foods, dancing, clothes, languages, and culture.
It is also just polite to behave like everyone around you. Don’t be that loud obnoxious foreigner with a big camera taking pictures of people who are just trying to live their best life.
Finally, it is more practical to act like everyone else. You will avoid troubles. There is probably a reason why people do the things they do. For example, siestas might be strange, but you will avoid the hot sun and be refreshed for the evening.

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Resources:

https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/when-in-rome-do-as-the-romans-do/
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/the-origin-of-the-saying-when-in-rome-do-as-the-romans-do/
https://www.romecitytour.it/blog/why-do-we-say-when-in-rome-do-as-the-romans-do/
https://nmk.world/rome-romans-origin-meaning-expansion-significance-5226/
http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=42219