Being the avid coffee drinker that I am, I was very excited to extend my habits into another country, one that particularly is big on caffeine. I looked forward to finding the perfect places to study and relax while enjoying what may be my first or fourth coffee of that day. That being said, coffee in Italy is much different than that in the US, all the way down to there being times where certain drinks are unacceptable to order. Coming in, I knew iced coffee was simply not a thing for Italians and being a year-round iced coffee drinker, I knew I was going to have to get used to the taste of hot coffee. In addition, I became aware that cappuccinos are meant to be enjoyed in the morning while espressos for the afternoon. This is because of how the Italians believe coffee helps with digestion, such as having an espresso after a large meal. I am used to having cappuccinos after dinners late at night, so when I started ordering these drinks in the afternoon, Italians would always give me a funny look. So, I decided to start living like a local and order cappuccinos in the mornings and espressos (something I had never had before) in the afternoons. I no longer received funny looks when I was ordering coffee, or felt like an outsider while sipping on my drink. Furthermore, after a lot of searching and negative experiences, I finally found my perfect cafe to do work in. Ditta Artigianale is a very popular cafe and bar that offers a wide range of specialty coffees (even iced), pastries, and lunch foods, while doubling as a relaxing bar atmosphere in the evenings. Ever since I came about this place, I have proceed to come here almost every day to get some work done and enjoy a cappuccino, iced latte, or a small bite. What I like most about it is that doing homework and using a computer is encouraged and allowed due to the large sized tables on the second floor; pulling out a laptop in many Italian cafes is frowned upon. I have come here so often that the friendly waitress who normally serves me gets confused when I don’t sit in my usual spot, and always informs me the best options and asks for my feedback when the menu changes. This little cafe has had an impact on me in so many ways since my time here, and has become almost a second home. Living in a city like Florence as an American, it’s been nice to feel recognized sometimes and greeted with a smile every time I walk in the door.