When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do 🏛️
Description: This old proverb advises adopting the local customs and behaviors of wherever you are, making it both practical and timeless. Originating from St. Ambrose’s sage advice to St. Monica and her son Augustine, it’s become a staple idiom in discussing adaptability and cultural sensitivity across the globe.
Synonyms and Related Terms
- Go with the flow: Adapt to the prevailing trends or customs.
- Follow suit: Do the same thing as someone else.
- Blend in: Be inconspicuous by adapting to the environment.
- Fit in: Successfully integrate into a group or environment.
Proverbs and Sayings
- When in China, eat with chopsticks: Adapt to local customs.
- Do as you would be done by: Treat others as you want to be treated, which loosely relates to respecting other cultures’ rules.
- Adapt or perish: Underlines the importance of adaptability.
Quotes
Humorous: “When in Rome, count your blessings if nobody’s thrown you to the lions yet.” — Anon
Inspirational: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” — St. Augustine
Witty: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do, unless you’re allergic to olives.” — Oscarnoodle McTwee
Literature and Pop Culture
Books:
- “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert - A story about finding oneself through travel and adhering to local practices.
- “Under the Tuscan Sun” by Frances Mayes - A memoir about adapting to life in Italy.
- “Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts - Though set in India, it’s a robust tale of blending into a markedly different culture.
Movies:
- Roman Holiday (1953) - Classic film about a reporter and a princess exploring Rome.
- Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) - Also a celebration of adaptability and finding new beginnings.
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) - British retirees navigating life in India.
Songs:
- “Roam” by The B-52’s
- “Holiday” by Madonna
- “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Geoff Mack (More than just Rome, it covers a lot! 😄)
Poetry:
- “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson – A metaphor-rich poem about journeying and accepting new states of being.
Farewell Thought: Always remember, the colors of this world are vast and vivid not because they conform to a single hue, but because they embrace the rich spectrum of differences.
— Cultural Kaleidoscope
