Italy

A Cultural Resume
Customs and Courtesies
Greetings
—Two light kisses on the cheek
—Both on arrival and departure
—Expect big delays
—First introduction a handshake is usual

Visiting
—Image and the building of personal relationships
—Making a good impression is proper social etiquette.
—First impressions
—You will be judged on your appearance
—Italians are well known for a vivacious communicative style
—Formal occasions toned down

Eating
—Eating is an integral part of Italian culture
—Proper dining etiquette
—Style is Continental
—Wine is commonly served with meals
Customs and Courtesies
Gestures
—Body gestures
—Hand-chin gestures
—Thumbs up or thumbs down

Personal Appearance
—Dress can indicate your social status
—Bella figura = good image — i.e. confidence,
style, demeanour, etc.

Traveling / Museum Sites

—Italy is filled with museums, churches and historical sights
—Basilica of San Marco
—Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted in 1631 killing 3000 people
—Road network for traveling throughout Italy
—Bed & Breakfasts to upscale hotels to hostiles.

Communicating Interpersonally
—Intense direct eye contact is common
—looking away is a sign of disinterest
—Italians stand closer
—Arm and arm for men and woment
The People
General Attitudes and Values
—Italians are warm, friendly and generous people
—Emotionally expressive
—Family is the centre of the social structure
—Major social changes
—Women work outside the home
—35 percent of working mothers = seventy hours
working per week
—Italian men contribute little to housework

Population
—Italy’s population has grown to over 58,000,000 people
—Forth largest populated country of Europe
—Largest populated cities: Rome, Milan, Naples,
Turin, Palermo and Genoa.
—Ethnic Italians form 97 percent of the population
—German-Italian, French-Italian, Slovene-Italian,
and Albanian-Italian
 Language
—Italian is the primary language spoken in Italy
—French, German and Slovene
—Dialects in the Italian language
—Speaking dialect is often shunned

Religion
—Roman Catholicism = 85 percent
—Protestants and Jews and immigration
—Jehovah’s Witnesses form the second largest

Holidays
—Christmas in Italy
—Modern Christmas was born in Italy
—Tthe Feast of the Nativity
—Emperor Aurelian in A.D. 274
—St. Peter’s Day
—Florence and Genoa: St. John’s Day, June 24
—Venice: Festa della Salute, June 21.
—January 1: New Year’s Day
—January 6: Epiphany (the end of the Christmas season)
—Easter Sunday, Easter Monday
—April 25: Liberation Day
—May 1: Labor Day
—June 2: Republic Day
—August 15: Assumption
—November 1: All Saint’s Day Carnevale - Venice
—December 8: Immaculate Conception
—December 25: Christmas
—December 26: Santo Stefano
Lifestyle
The Family
—Major social changes
—Women work outside the home
—Legalization of divorce
—Strong relationships with parents, adult children,
and other relatives
—Generations share housing
—May eat lunch (pranzo) and/or dinner (cena) together
—Elderly parents are respected

Dating Courtship and Marriage

—Mixed groups socialize together
—Difficult for anyone to step out of line
—Woman often chaperone
—Expression reggere il moccolo means to hold a
candle up in the air

Work
—40 hours
—Work-life balance of women is worsening
—Availability of childcare facilities
—Men’s contribution to domestic tasks is increasing
 Recreation / Play Activities
—Soccer is the most popular
—Basketball is very popular
—Fishing, cycling, roller-skating, and baseball
—Family recreational

Food
—Healthy and regional
—Pasta or macaroni
—MIlan vs. Sicily
—he farther south you go, the simpler the cuisine
—Umbria and Piedmont: the truffle.
—Parma: Parma ham and parmesan cheese
—Campania: mozzarella cheese
—Liguria: pesto alla Genovese
—Italians love to eat!
—Morning cappucino to the final eats gelato in the evening
The Nation
History and Government (the cultural affects)
 —Republican Constitution in 1948
—Italians are wary of government
—Italian self-reliance has served well
—1992 to 1997: Voters were displeased
—Government system is slowly stabilizing
—The Olive Tree coalition and the House of Freedoms
—Major break from the fragmented political landscape

Education System
 —Preschool/Kindergarden: three years
—Primary/Elementary School: two consecutive divisions.
A. Elementary School- lasting five years
B. Middle School/ junior high- lasting three years
 —High school is divided by concentration
—Performing arts, technical school and vocational schools
—Italy has approximately 90 universities
—Focus on the arts: fine and applied arts, dance, drama
and music

Healthcare System
—Italy ranks No. 2
—U.S. only holds 37th place
—Public hospitals are overcrowded and underfunded
—Italy has a national health plan
—Hospital services are provided free of charge

Communication Style
—The italian people are a passionate, artistic and expressive group
—Establish reform
—Enriched life filled with family, friends, food and strong traditions