When in rome do as the romans do意思

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is a popular English idiom that is often shortened to "When in Rome." It means that when you are in a new place or a foreign country, you should follow the customs and practices of the people who live there. The phrase suggests that it is polite and respectful to adapt to the local culture and way of life, rather than expecting everyone to conform to your own habits and traditions.

The origin of the phrase is often attributed to the Roman writer Publilius Syrus, who lived during the time of Augustus Caesar and is known for his maxims. One of his sayings, "Urbs Roma condita est," which translates to "The city of Rome was founded," is sometimes cited as the source of the modern idiom. However, the exact phrase "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" does not appear in his work, but the sentiment is similar to some of his other maxims.