LANGUAGE, CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS AND ETIQUETTE'S OF ITALY

Welcome to the guide for Italy. This is helpful for anybody inquiring about Italian culture, traditions, conduct, manners, qualities and needing to comprehend the general population better. You might go to Italy on business, for a visit or notwithstanding facilitating Italian partners or customers in your own nation. Keep in mind this is just an exceptionally fundamental level acquaintance and isn't implied with generalization all Italian individuals you may meet! For those needing more top to bottom help we additionally run Italy Cultural Awareness Courses.

FACTS & STATISTICS

LOCATION: Southern Europe, bordering Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City)
3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km

CAPITAL: Rome

CLIMATE: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south

POPULATION: 61,680,122 (2014 est.)

ETHNIC MAKE-UP: Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south)

RELIGIONS: predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a
growing Muslim immigrant community

GOVERNMENT: republic

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE

Italian is the official language of Italy, and 93% of populace are local Italian speakers. Around half of populace talk a provincial lingo as native language. Numerous tongues are commonly garbled and subsequently considered by etymologists as independent dialects, however are not authoritatively perceived. Friulian, one of these vernaculars, is talked by 600,000 individuals in the north east of Italy, which is 1% of the whole populace. Other northern minority languages incorporate Ladin, Slovene, German, which appreciates measure up to acknowledgment with Italian in the region of Alto-Adige, and French, which is legitimately perceived in the Alpine area of the Val d'Aosta. 

Albanian is talked by 0.2% of the populace, primarily in the southern piece of Italy, as too are Croatian and Greek. 

Catalan is talked in one city, Alghero, on the island of Sardinia, by around 0.07% of the populace. On whatever remains of the island, Sardinian is talked by more than 1m, which comes to 1.7% of the Italian populace.

ITALIAN SOCIETY & CULTURE

• The family is the center of the social structure and provides a stabilizing influence for its members.
• In the north, generally only the nuclear family lives together; while in the south, the extended family often resides together in one house.
• The family provides both emotional and financial support to its members.

ITALIAN STYLE

• Appearances matter in Italy.
• The way you dress can indicate your social status, your family's background, and your education level.
• First impressions are lasting impressions in Italy.
• The concept of 'bella figura' or good image is important to Italians.
• They unconsciously assess another person's age and social standing in the first few seconds of meeting them, often before any words are exchanged.
• Clothes are important to Italians.
• They are extremely fashion conscious and judge people on their appearance.
• You will be judged on your clothes, shoes, accessories and the way you carry yourself.
• Bella figura is more than dressing well. It extends to the aura your project too - i.e. confidence, style, demeanour, etc.

ETIQUETTE & CUSTOMS IN ITALY

MEETING ETIQUETTE

• Greetings are enthusiastic yet rather formal.
• The usual handshake with direct eye contact and a smile suffices between strangers.
• Once a relationship develops, air-kissing on both cheeks, starting with the left is often added as well as a pat on the back between men.
• Wait until invited to move to a first name basis.
• Italians are guided by first impressions, so it is important that you demonstrate propriety and respect when greeting people, especially when meeting them for the first time.
• Many Italians use calling cards in social situations. These are slightly larger than traditional business cards and include the person's name, address, title or academic honours, and their telephone number.
• If you are staying in Italy for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to have calling cards made. Never give your business card in lieu of a calling card in a social situation.

GIFT GIVING ETIQUETTE

• Do not give chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals.
• Do not give red flowers as they indicate secrecy.
• Do not give yellow flowers as they indicate jealousy
• If you bring wine, make sure it is a good vintage. Quality, rather than quantity, is important.
• Do not wrap gifts in black, as is traditionally a mourning colour.
• Do not wrap gifts in purple, as it is a symbol of bad luck.
• Gifts are usually opened when received.

DINING ETIQUETTE

If invited to an Italian house:

• If an invitation says the dress is informal, wear stylish clothes that are still rather formal, i.e., jacket and tie for men and an elegant dress for women.
• Punctuality is not mandatory. You may arrive between 15 minutes late if invited to dinner and up to 30 minutes late if invited to a party.
• If you are invited to a meal, bring gift-wrapped such as wine or chocolates.
• If you are invited for dinner and want to send flowers, have them delivered that day.

TABLE MANNERS

• Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat.
• Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
• Follow the lead of the hostess - she sits at the table first, starts eating first, and is the first to get up at the end of the meal.
• The host gives the first toast.
• An honoured guest should return the toast later in the meal.
• Women may offer a toast.
• Always take a small amount at first so you can be cajoled into accepting a second helping.
• Do not keep your hands in your lap during the meal; however, do not rest your elbows on the table either.
• It is acceptable to leave a small amount of food on your plate.
• Pick up cheese with your knife rather than your fingers.
• If you do not want more wine, leave your wine glass nearly full.

DRESS ETIQUETTE

• Dressing well is a priority in Italy.
• Men should wear dark colored, conservative business suits.
• Women should wear either business suits or conservative dresses.
• Elegant accessories are equally important for men and women.

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