Italian culture
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Hi Michelle!
This should give you a start:
Italian Society & Culture
Italian Family Values
• The family is the centre 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.
Catholicism
• The primary religion in Italy is Roman Catholic.
• There are more Catholic churches per capita in Italy than in any other country.
• Although church attendance is relatively low, the influence of the church is still high.
• Many office buildings will have a cross or a religious statue in the lobby.
• Each day of the year has at least one patron saint associated with it.
• Children are named for a particular saint and celebrate their saint's day as if it were their own birthday.
• Each trade and profession has a patron saint.
• The church promulgates hierarchy, which can be seen in all Italian relationships.
• They respect and defer to those who are older, those who have achieved a level of business success, and those who come from well-connected families
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 wineglass nearly full.
Business Etiquette and Protocol in Italy
Relationships & Communication
• Italians prefer to do business with people they know and trust.
• A third party introduction will go a long way in providing an initial platform from which to work.
• Italians much prefer face-to-face contact, so it is important to spend time in Italy developing the relationship.
• Your business colleagues will be eager to know something about you as a person before conducting business with you.
• Demeanour is important as Italians judge people on appearances and the first impression you make will be a lasting one.
• Italians are intuitive. Therefore, make an effort to ensure that your Italians colleagues like and trust you.
• Networking can be an almost full-time occupation in Italy. Personal contacts allow people to get ahead.
• Take the time to ask questions about your business colleagues family and personal interests, as this helps build the relationship
• Italians are extremely expressive communicators. They tend to be wordy, eloquent, emotional, and demonstrative, often using facial and hand gestures to prove their point.
Business Meeting Etiquette
• Appointments are mandatory and should be made in writing (in Italian) 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
• Reconfirm the meeting by telephone or fax (again in Italian).
• Many companies are closed in August, and if they are open many Italians take vacations at this time, so it is best not to try to schedule meetings then.
• In the north, punctuality is viewed as a virtue and your business associates will most likely be on time.
• The goal of the initial meeting is to develop a sense of respect and trust with your Italian business colleagues.
• Have all your printed material available in both English and Italian.
• Hire an interpreter if you are not fluent in Italian.
• It is common to be interrupted while speaking or for several people to speak at once.
• People often raise their voice to be heard over other speakers, not because they are angry.
• Although written agendas are frequently provided, they may not be followed. They serve as a jumping off point for further discussions.
• Decisions are not reached in meetings. Meetings are meant for a free flow of ideas and to let everyone have their say.
Business Negotiation
• In the north, people are direct, see time as money, and get down to business after only a brief period of social talk.
• In the south, people take a more leisurely approach to life and want to get to know the people with whom they do business.
• Allow your Italian business colleagues to set the pace for your negotiations. Follow their lead as to when it is appropriate to move from social to business discussions.
• Italians prefer to do business with high-ranking people.
• Hierarchy is the cornerstone of Italian business. Italians respect power and age.
• Negotiations are often protracted.
• Never use high-pressure sales tactics.
• Always adhere to your verbal agreements. Failing to follow through on a commitment will destroy a business relationship.
• Heated debates and arguments often erupt in meetings. This is simply a function of the free-flow of ideas.
• Haggling over price and delivery date is common.
• Decisions are often based more on how you are viewed by the other party than on concrete business objectives.
Dress Etiquette
• Dressing well is a priority in Italy.
• Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits.
• Women should wear either business suits or conservative dresses.
• Elegant accessories are equally important for men and women.
Business Cards
• Business cards are exchanged after the formal introduction.
• To demonstrate proper respect for the other person, look closely at their business card before putting it in your card holder.
• It is a good idea to have one side of your business card translated into Italian.
• If you have a graduate degree, include it on your business card.
• Make sure your title is on your card. Italians like knowing how you fit within your organization.
Peggy 07 Jun 2007, 04:59 - Report