“When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is the traveller’s golden rule — fit in with local customs wherever you happen to be. Behind this everyday saying lies a genuine conversation between two of history’s most famous saints. Here is its meaning, its origin, examples, and a few sayings in the same spirit.
What Does “When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do” Mean?
The proverb means that when you are in an unfamiliar place or among a different group of people, you should follow their customs and behave as they do. It is advice about courtesy and adaptability: rather than insisting on your own habits, you respect the ways of those around you. Today it is used for everything from foreign travel to fitting in at a new workplace.
Origin of the Proverb
The saying grew out of a fourth-century exchange involving Saint Augustine, his mother Saint Monica, and Saint Ambrose, the bishop of Milan. Augustine and Monica were puzzled: in Milan, Saturday was not a fast day, but in Rome it was. They asked Ambrose what to do. He replied that when he was in Milan he did not fast on Saturdays, but when in Rome he did — and advised them to follow whichever custom belonged to the place they were in. Ambrose put it in Latin as “Si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more” — “If you are in Rome, live in the Roman way.” The English proverb appeared by about 1530 and has been good travel advice ever since.
Examples in a Sentence
- “Everyone here takes their shoes off indoors, so we did too — when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
- “I don’t usually eat a big lunch, but in Spain it’s the main meal. When in Rome!”
- “The team has its own way of doing things; when in Rome, do as the Romans do until you find your feet.”
Similar Proverbs
- Every country has its custom — different places naturally do things differently.
- Go with the flow — adapt easily to the situation around you.
- Don’t make waves — avoid disrupting the established way of doing things.
- While in the village, behave like a villager — a folk version of the same advice.
For more wisdom from across the world, explore our proverbs from around the world and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” mean?
It means you should follow the customs of the place you are visiting or the group you are with, rather than insisting on your own usual habits.
Where does the proverb come from?
It comes from advice given by Saint Ambrose to Saint Augustine and his mother in the fourth century, about whether to fast on Saturdays in Rome. The English form dates to around 1530.
Is “when in Rome” the short version?
Yes. People often just say “when in Rome…” and leave the rest unspoken, because the full proverb is so well known.