Giving bread in return for focaccia suggests a huge offence, even though they're both delicious baked treats. Photo: Iñigo De la Maza Why might your Italian friends think you have ham over your eyes?

Idioms and proverbs can be a minefield for the Italian novice – in fact, they’re confusing even for those with an advanced knowledge of the language. If you’re not sure whether to be proud or insulted ...