“When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is a timeless proverb deeply rooted in the fabric of English sayings and idiomatic expressions with origins that trace back to ancient wisdom. It encapsulates the enduring principle of adaptability and cultural respect that remains pertinent in our globalized society. Understanding it demands appreciating cultural nuances and traditions. This, in turn, transcends linguistic knowledge, serving as a crucial gateway to fostering a more inclusive worldview.
Definition: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”
Often shortened as “When in Rome,” the essential meaning of this proverb advises adapting to the customs and practices of the local environment or culture you are in, rather than imposing your own. It emphasizes the importance of respecting and conforming to local traditions when visiting or living in a new place.
The examples below outline situations where the proverb “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” can be applied to provide a clear understanding of it in context:
Examples
- Culinary customs such as slurping noodles in Japan.
- Dress codes such as the conservative wardrobe in the Middle East.
- Business etiquette such as exchanging business cards as a formal ritual in Asia.
In the scenarios above, the meaning of the proverb “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” applies, pointing out that it is advised to follow traditional norms when you are situated in another place.
Explanation of the visual meaning
The proverb “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” can have an array of visual interpretations. The image below represents a playful and stylized depiction of a modern holidaymaker engaging with traditional Roman culture. The holidaymaker, donning a Roman toga and laurel wreath while still holding on to his camera, embodies the act of a foreigner embracing local customs. His cheerful expression while interacting with the Roman local, shows his effort to assimilate and enjoy the local practices.
The Roman local stands as a symbol of the proverbial Roman, in authentic attire, gesturing in a welcoming manner by cheering with a glass of wine, typical of Romans, towards the holidaymaker. This character could be considered guiding or encouraging the holidaymaker to delve deeper into Roman traditions, representing the welcoming nature of cultural exchange.
How to use it
The proverb “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is commonly used in a range of different contexts to advise people to adapt to the cultural norms and customs of the place they are visiting or living in. It is often applied in the context of travel, business, social situations, cultural traditions, workplace cultures, language, education, and fashion. The following showcases how it is employed across these domains.
In the context of travel, the proverb is often used to encourage travelers to respect and conform to the local customs and traditions of the places they visit. It is an appeal to cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
Example
“In Spain, lunch is the largest meal of the day and is typically followed by a siesta. Thus, I thought, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do,’ and adjusted my timetable accordingly.”
In this field, the proverb can be applied to various aspects of professional conduct, from negotiation styles and decision-making processes to dress codes and meeting etiquette.
Example
“Our company dress code is casual, but when we visited our partners in London, we all wore suits to the meetings – when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
In a social context, this proverb encourages one to observe local etiquette and behaviour in social settings and act accordingly to take part in the culture.
Example
“I was initially surprised that everyone at the dinner in Spain didn’t start eating until 10 p.m., but I remembered the saying ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do,’ so I embraced the late dining culture and ended up having a fantastic time.”
When immersed in a foreign traditional setting, this proverb may be applied to express the importance of respecting and engaging in local practices.
Example
“While attending the wedding ceremony in Bali, I wore the traditional sarong and sash. I figured when in Rome, do as the Romans do, and everyone appreciated the effort to honour their customs.”
In workplace culture, the proverb might suggest that an employee should observe and adapt to the customs and behaviour that are typical and accepted in their new work environment.
Example
“After noticing that her new team valued punctuality and often started meetings five minutes early, she remembered ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do,’ and began arriving at meetings ten minutes ahead of timetable to make a good impression.”
A way of doing as the Romans do, in the context of language, is to learn a few words or a new language when you visit or move to another country. In this case, the proverb encourages learning and speaking that language with the locals.
Example
“I know you are most comfortable speaking English, but remember, when in Rome, it is respectful to learn at least a few Japanese words when we travel to Tokyo.”
In some educational systems, there is a strong emphasis on group work and collaboration. A student new to this system would adapt by engaging more in group activities, even if they’re used to studying alone.
Example
“In our new school, remember, when in Rome, it’s important to participate in extracurricular activities to fully integrate into the school community.”
In certain countries, dressing conservatively is the norm. So, even if you’re from a place with a more relaxed dress code, you might choose to dress more conservatively to blend in.
Example
“When attending the traditional Italian wedding, she decided to wear a beautiful, floor-length gown, adhering to the ‘When in Rome’ principle by embracing the elegant and formal attire expected at such events.”
Origin and history
Likely due to its widespread recognition, this intriguing expression is commonly abbreviated to “when in Rome.” The inception of the phrase “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” can be traced back to 1777 when it appeared in print in “Interesting Letters of Pope Clement XIV.” In this publication, the phrase “cum Romanus eris” is referenced, indicating its prior familiarity. In context, it was used as quoted below:
“The siesta or afternoon’s nap of Italy, my most dear and reverend Father, would not have alarmed you so much, if you had recollected, that when it were at Rome, we should do as the Romans do. – cum Romanus eris”
The existence of variations of this saying can be observed in examples dating as far back as the late 1500s. It is believed to have originated from a Medieval Latin proverb, “Si fueris Rōmae, Rōmānō vīvitō mōre; si fueris alibī, vīvitō sicut ibi,” which translates to “When you are in Rome, live in the Roman manner; when you are elsewhere live as they live elsewhere.” This phrase can be attributed to Saint Ambrose, a Christian bishop and theologian who lived in the 4th century AD. However, the exact origins and authorship of the proverb are not definitively known. Over time, the phrase evolved into the more concise and well-known version we use in modern language. It has been popularized in English-speaking countries as a proverbial expression and is universally known. Essentially, this expression encourages flexibility and openness to different ways of living, implying that one should not strictly adhere to their customs in a foreign setting but rather embrace and respect the local traditions and norms.
Similar proverbs and synonyms
In this section, we provide similar proverbs and synonyms that revolve around the practical wisdom of adapting to different environments and respecting local traditions.
- When you go to a country, follow its customs.
- The wolf changes his coat, but not his disposition.
- Do in the land as the land does.
- When you enter a village, follow its customs.
- Go along to get along.
- Go with the flow.
- Adapt
- Adhere
- Embrace
- Follow
- Conform
- Blend in
- Mirror
FAQs
The first attestation is Medieval Latin and can be attributed to Saint Ambrose, as he stated, “si fueris Rōmae, Rōmānō vīvitō mōre; si fueris alibī, vīvitō sīcut ibī,” meaning “if you should be in Rome, live in the Roman manner; if you should be elsewhere, live as they do there.”
This saying means that when you are in a new place or different culture, it’s polite and often beneficial to follow the customs and practices of the local people. It is a pearl of practical wisdom that suggests that adapting to the ways of the place that you are visiting or living in can lead to a more harmonious and positive experience.
Yes. The proverb “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is considered an idiom. An idiom is an expression or phrase whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements or from the general grammatical rules of a language. They express a particular sentiment or idea that is understood by native speakers within a cultural context.
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