Idiom
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
When in Rome, do as the Romans do means that when you are in a new place or group, you should follow the local customs.
How people use it
People say it to travelers, newcomers and guests, or about themselves when they try an unfamiliar custom: eating dinner late, taking off shoes indoors, greeting people with a kiss on the cheek. The short form "When in Rome" is very common and often said with a smile, as a light excuse for joining in: "Another plate of pasta? When in Rome." It suggests respect and flexibility, though people also use it jokingly to justify a treat. The tone is informal.
Also said: when in Rome.
Examples
- In Japan we bowed to everyone we met; when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
- Ana doesn't usually eat dinner at ten at night, but in Madrid she figured, when in Rome.
- Our hosts drank tea with every meal, so I did too: when in Rome.
Where it comes from
It probably goes back to advice from the late 300s. Ambrose, a bishop in Milan, was asked whether to follow the custom of Milan or of Rome on fasting days. He reportedly said that in Rome he did as Rome did, and in Milan as Milan did. A Latin proverb based on this advice spread in the Middle Ages, and English versions followed.
Check yourself
1. What does when in Rome, do as the Romans do advise?
Answer: Follow local customs when you are somewhere new. The saying means adapting to the customs of the place or group you are in.
2. Which situation fits the saying?
Answer: Taking off your shoes at a friend's home because that is their custom. Following your host's custom is exactly what the saying recommends.
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