You might be surprised to know that Italians don’t use the phrase “cleanliness is next to godliness.” Here, it’s a given.

But they do have a phrase that is used to remind one of the importance of always keeping a clean house in case unexpected company shows up.

The first chore to start the cleaning, is usually making the bed:

Fatti il letto, perche, non sai chi aspeti.

Translation: Make the bed, because you don’t know whom to expect.

Got a question about something you’ve seen or heard around Italy? E-mail Sandra Jontz or Lisa Novak.

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