Each country has its own character and characteristics of local residents. Coming to Italy, we are interested in learning more about this temperamental, noisy and hospitable people. I will tell you about my observations, about some features of Italians, which it would be incorrect to call advantages or disadvantages, but only distinctive features inherent in the majority. And remember that there will always be exceptions.
Italians and greetings
Greetings are definitely the first thing worth mentioning when talking about Italian etiquette and manners. Generally, Italians are very welcoming and friendly.
It is customary to say hello when entering shops, offices and other institutions, and also to say goodbye when leaving. You need to talk until 14:00-15:00 Buongiorno(good afternoon), and after 15:00 Buonasera(Good evening).
It is customary to address oneself with “you” (Lei), but often these formalities are omitted, and young people, and not so young ones, are addressed with “you.”
Italians greet acquaintances and friends with emotional hugs and a double kiss on the cheeks, even if they parted just a couple of hours ago. Such greetings can be observed not only between women, but also between men.
Although, to be more precise, they do not kiss, but simply press their cheeks to each other, making a smacking sound.
In the south of Italy, such emotional greetings are awarded to everyone, even those whom they have just met. In the north, people are a little more reserved and may well limit themselves to a warm handshake with strangers.
Italians generously use words like “thank you” (Grazie) and “please” (Prego/Per favore), but you don’t hear “sorry” (Scusi) as often as from Americans. The Italian does not consider it necessary to apologize if he does not feel guilty.
Italians and punctuality
The time the Italian gives you is always approximate The punctuality of Italians is a stumbling block for foreign business partners. The fact is that punctuality and Italian are not entirely compatible concepts. This applies to friendly meetings, business negotiations, and various classes and seminars. It is important to remember that the time the Italian gives you is always approximate.
Of course, there are always exceptions. I know several punctual Italians, including my husband. When he started working with a Moscow translation agency, after several completed works, they doubted that Danilo was a real Italian, because he completed all the translations on time. He was the only colleague from Italy who turned out to be so punctual.
If you have Italian friends over for dinner at 7 pm, you can safely aim for 7:30, especially if your friends are from Southern Italy. In the north of Italy, things are a little better, here the period of delay is significantly reduced.
Then you will be able to please your guests with a hot dinner, and not worry about the cold risotto waiting for a long time, as happened to me.
I will never forget the first time we invited guests to our home, and not just guests, but my husband’s relatives. Exactly at the appointed time everything was ready and served to the table. The worst thing is that that evening I decided to cook risotto! After all, this dish is especially capricious; it should be served immediately when ready, because after standing for a while, it turns into a dry, unattractive porridge.
So our guests deigned to be 45 minutes late. It was a cruel, but unforgettable lesson for all subsequent years.
Italians and queues
Here is another concept that is difficult for the Italian consciousness to perceive: a queue. If we talk about the south of Italy, everything there is generally very neglected.
Exactly what is happening is what is described in the video, which I have already published in the article, but for those who have not seen it, I am publishing it again.
To combat this situation, the Italians found a way out. Now, when entering a post office, pharmacy, meat or fish department, you need to take a number and wait for your turn. Although, to tell the truth, some people forget to take it))
Italians and rules
As I already said, the majority of Italians are very pleasant people to talk to. They smile widely and are always ready to offer you coffee. But the rules really irritate them.
For example, few Italians know, much less follow, traffic rules. Why burden an already difficult life and remember who must give way when entering a roundabout?
In bureaucratic matters, there are simply no rules in Italy, well, maybe only theoretically. Each official has his own ideas about the rules, it depends on your luck. I have already written about complex issues of bureaucracy in an article.
Smoking in public places is not prohibited in Italy In Italy, smoking in public places is not prohibited. Although, to be honest, I don’t think much would have changed if there had been a ban. After all, they don’t like rules))
Italians smoke a lot and everywhere, lying on the beach, standing in line, sitting at the next table in a cafe, without thinking at all that this may cause discomfort to others.
Italians also love talking on the phone, both women and men. It is not at all considered indecent to talk loudly on the phone, discussing personal matters in front of everyone. Answering a phone call is sacred for an Italian. To do this, he is ready to interrupt almost any activity.
Italians and their way of expressing thoughts
Italians are known to be very talkative. From a small incident, they can inflate many topics of conversation that will last not just for the whole day, but sometimes for years. This can partly be explained by the fact that Italians love to beat around the bush. They like to savor every detail without going too deep. I am always amazed at this ability of theirs.
Italians do not like directness, and may even perceive it as tactlessness and impudence. They talk about their feelings and desires in half-hints, which other Italians can understand almost instantly. This applies to both friendly and business communication.
There is a lot more that can be said about Italians. Some of their features are closer to us, others are not, but one thing is absolutely clear - it is simply impossible not to love the inhabitants of the sunny hospitable boot!
If you have been to Italy or live here, you have probably noticed other features regarding Italian etiquette and manners. I would be glad if you share your observations in the comments.
Image source:
www.fautrasporti.it
www.news.pmiservizi.it
I found an article on the Internet about Italians, which seems correct to me. A good generalization and highlighting the main thing about the inhabitants of the "boot" ;)
10 rules of life for Italians:
Italians are masters of many arts. The art of a beautiful life, the art of adapting to the world and getting out of situations, the art of living in the moment and enjoying it.
It makes sense to take a few lessons from them.
1. Food is a pleasure, eating is a ritual.
Italians live according to a schedule. It sounds incredible, but it is true. Only the schedule is special. This is a strict adherence to the course: coffee with pastries in the morning - lunch with the family in the afternoon - aperitif at 17:00-19:30 - dinner at 20:00-21:00 at home or in a restaurant.
On the go? Running with a glass of coffee in hand? Fast food? All these are forced measures, used only as a last resort.
The best food is the one that grows where you are, is freshly prepared and eaten immediately. And food is also a pleasure that must be shared with someone. Because savoring and sharing impressions is an integral part of the ritual, it makes the food even tastier.
2. Communication is the engine of social life, conversation is an art.
Can you freely chat with someone you don’t know well, and not on forced weather-natural topics, but in a way that’s interesting? Italy is a place where organizers of networking courses face inevitable bankruptcy, since everyone has mastered this art since childhood.
Topics range from views of the citrus harvest and comparisons of wines from the Veneto and Abruzzo regions to the relationship between Caesar and Cleopatra and the dominance of Romanesque architecture in the Emilia-Romagna region. Such conversations provide food for thought, enrich with new knowledge, give new acquaintances and expand boundaries.
3. Life is not a pursuit of something. It's just life. Here and now.
Italians live with the feeling that they can do everything. And this greatly reduces the level of stress around you. You suddenly stop rushing and start to have time. Even with a three-hour siesta. Even with the constant delays of everyone and everything. Your focus just shifts to something else.
Give yourself time for everything you do (food, a long walk home, a leisurely chat with a friend), and you will be surprised how quickly these expenses will pay off. Slowing down is the path to a better quality of life and... faster progress in many areas of life.
4. Quality of life is priority number. No compromises.
The very structure of life in Italy is such that it leaves room for pleasure and quality living. Remember we talked about scheduling? It is actually designed in such a way that all those little things that form the basis of a quality life are already built into the normal daily routine. There is time for morning coffee and newspaper. Time to spend the day with family, pick up your child from school, or take a nap. Time to meet friends and have an aperitif and so on.
Not to live in order to work, but to work in order to have time to live. And have time to live well.
5.Be more lenient with yourself. "Why not?" is a philosophy of life.
Italy is full of temptations: delicious coffee at every turn and delicious desserts, excellent wines, ice cream, interior shops and stores with accessories, where it is impossible to leave without shopping. So why not?! The idea is not to deny yourself small joys, and so on every day.
Important: this is not about eating up problems, it’s not about overindulging yourself, it’s just a little bit, when you want, in order to continue to feel that life is wonderful!
6.Spend time with your family. Family is a fortress.
When you run out of money, your achievements are forgotten, your friends scatter around the world, all that remains is your family. In the conditions of constant political and economic instability that characterized Italy throughout its history, the family often remained the only place where you would be sheltered and not betrayed.
Now everything is far from being so brutal, but family is still important. Italian Sunday dinners, for which all close and distant relatives gather, have already become a proverb; Italians make fun of their family gatherings, but... they observe them. Because, despite the noise and din, unbearable aunties, grandmother’s boring signature dish and constant conversations about figure and football, the family continues to give a feeling of stability and security.
7.Walk with children. Everywhere. Children are great.
In Italy you are welcome to see you everywhere with your children. Children are everywhere: in fancy restaurants, in beauty salons, and in boutiques, not to mention ordinary cafes, trattorias and shops. They will quickly bring you a special chair, have fun with the baby, find something to occupy your three-year-old - in general, if you have a child in your arms, then you are not an outcast who is denied access to decent places.
8. A healthy lifestyle is a lifestyle.
Therefore, pasta and pizza do not affect your figure. The average Italian eats 26 kg of pasta per year and wears a size M. You will hardly find Italians on a diet. Their daily diet itself is, in fact, a diet. It is based on several simple rules: maintain a balance of vegetables / flour / protein foods / fruits, prepare food only from fresh ingredients, use simple recipes, control portions.
And the second aspect of the Italian healthy lifestyle: on foot and by bicycle. A car is for going on large-scale shopping or to work if you work far away. Shopping is not a weekly cart filled at the supermarket, it is a daily visit to a bunch of small shops and to the market for freshly baked bread, pesto, caught fish. Meeting with friends is a park, square, beach, hanging out in a bar or near it - everyone is on their feet.
9. Clothes make a person. This is our way of communication.
Italians care VERY much about the impression they make on others. And you know, that's good. It is beautiful. It's nice to see people on the streets. They have clothes for every occasion: you won't go to the park in what you wear to the market or to meet friends.
Shorts, colorful shirts, flip-flops in the summer in the city center somewhere in Rome or Florence are nonsense. If a person is dressed like this, he is 100% a tourist. Being well (not necessarily expensive!) and appropriately dressed for the situation is respect for yourself and others. A completely special story is how they treat scarves, neckerchiefs, hats and other accessories. As one of my friends said, I’m ready to sell my soul to learn how to tie a scarf like this!
10.Good manners make life more enjoyable.
Wherever you enter, smile and greet all the people there. When you enter a small supermarket near your home, every employee greets you, whether he is standing at the checkout or doing the display - it doesn’t matter. When talking to a person, respond to his gaze, maintain contact. If you get pushed, say “Sorry” first and the incident will turn into an exchange of compliments. Some will call these things social tinsel, so be it, but it is more pleasant to live with it than without it, and society as a whole is becoming kinder.
Source znaki-v-puti.ru
In this material we will talk to you about the Italian mentality. It must be said that the inhabitants of this country are very expressive people and during a conversation they often gesture with their hands, as if complementing their already enchanting speech. Couples can sort things out in public, while at home they will not need to continue the conversation at all. They admire something beautiful without embarrassment and can react sharply to things that they do not like at all. To some, this may seem too unrestrained, but this is what makes Italians so alive and real. It must be said that the residents of this sunny state are very open and sociable and their temperament cannot be confused with anyone else.
Perhaps the southern location of the country has an effect. Let us note that they love to dress smartly and no self-respecting woman would leave the house in a shabby robe. If we talk about the mentality of Italian men, they also like to show off in beautiful clothes, for example, in jackets, pressed trousers and always with a handkerchief in their pocket. Their other passion is sunglasses. Even if the sky is covered with clouds, they will still take them with them. And this is not surprising, because Italy is considered the capital of world fashion and we can say that style is already in the blood of local residents.
Italians love to eat delicious food. Their cuisine is one of the most popular in the world, and this is proven by the abundance of Italian cafes in many countries around the world, where you can taste pizza, lasagna and the most delicate tiramisu. But food for the residents of Italy is not just eating - it is a kind of ritual, where the mood, atmosphere, campaign are important, because it is important to enjoy eating. Even the appearance of the food plays a huge role. Those who have already been here know that when pasta is served, it is decorated with tomatoes, basil leaves, olives and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Or remember the panna cotta dessert topped with raspberries and a mint leaf. For Italians, it is important to enjoy not only the taste of food, but also its appearance.
Speaking of alcohol, Italians may drink a few glasses of wine during meals, such as lunch or dinner. On a day off, they can have a drink with friends, sit in the evening with family or acquaintances in a restaurant, but drunk people are very rarely seen on the street. This is because they do not drink strong alcohol and the main goal is not to get drunk, but to drink a high-quality alcoholic drink in a cozy and friendly atmosphere. It must be said that in the Italian mentality, family is sacred. They love children very much here and are kind to mothers and the older generation. All the most important holidays of the Italian Republic are always held with family.
Women are the object of adoration of any Italian and they are usually admired and idolized. If a man meets a beautiful girl on the street, then he will most likely give her a compliment, and this does not oblige him to anything, it is just a trait of their temperamental character. They are very expressive, not only in life, but also in relationships. Men court beautifully and can be very spontaneous in their actions. They give loud compliments and original gifts, but throwing money around is not their thing. A gentleman can spend the whole day at the stove, preparing a romantic dinner for his beloved.
Photo: pxhere.com Residents of Italy prefer not to strain themselves once again, and proof of this is siesta - the time when all shops, cafes, and city institutions close during the day and no one works for several hours. In small towns there is a tradition of walking before dinner. People dress in beautiful clothes and go to the promenade along the busy embankment or along the main street of the city, receiving aesthetic pleasure from the views of passers-by. Because here you don’t have to be a public figure to show off in a beautiful outfit in the evening. The Italian mentality is characterized by a sense of beauty. Even in a store located in a small town, the windows will be decorated neatly and tastefully. Even in Italy, it is customary to smile even to strangers and this is considered a rule of good manners.
Photo: pxhere.com Let us note that pensioners of this sunny country are also accustomed to taking care of themselves. Older women get their nails done, go to hairdressers and dress tastefully. Men also do not lag behind and are very gallant, constantly watching their manners. Pensioners can often have lunch or dinner in a cafe in the company of their peers, and also quite often attend various cultural and social events. From time to time they go abroad and one of their favorite vacation options is trips on cruise ships. It must be said that in the Italian mentality there is no concept of living out your life sitting on a bench.
Here it is customary to enjoy life at any age and in the Italian mentality it is customary to always be in shape. This is expressed in self-presentation, confidence and determination. When communicating with these people, you get the feeling that they have no worries. And the best epithet for their life can be the Italian expression - “non vogliamo vivere in eterno, bensì vivere intensamente”, which means “it’s not in our plans to live forever, it’s in our plans to live brightly.” In our next article we will tell you where you will find out what goods this state is famous for and about their main sources of income.
Italians are quite an interesting people. They talk about them differently. It is known that Italians are refined masters of art, open, friendly people. On the other hand, everyone knows that Italy is the birthplace of the Sicilian mafia and cunning gangsters.
It can be assumed that Italians have different, and contradictory, character traits.
Are you even more interested? Do you want to know who Italians really are?
This is what they are, as we described above, that is, surprisingly contradictory.
Peculiarities
- These people are melodious, and the place where they sing does not matter.
- The citizens of this country are very distracted. Every third of them has ever lost the keys to a car or house, and every fourth has forgotten something they own (a bag or briefcase). Approximately 2% of the country's citizens admitted that they forgot their full names.
- Italians believe that combing your hair in public is very indecent. Although scratching your genitals in public is normal. It is even believed that such an action protects against the evil eye.
- The citizens of this state are very sociable. In addition, they love to say hello to each other. For these purposes, they use one-ring calls (so that they do not have time to pick up the phone).
- Italians are not only religious, but also superstitious. According to official data, it became known that there are 150 magicians (registered) in the country, who, by the way, do not lack clients.
Men of Italy, their wives and other relatives
Family traditions and family ties are very strong in this country:
- It is believed that the head of the Italian family is the man. But in reality matriarchy reigns supreme.
- As a rule, private firms consist of members of the same family, especially when it comes to small businesses: a law office, an accounting company, etc.
- The men of this country select their companions very carefully. After they make a choice, they do not run to the registry office (this feature outrages Slavic girls who want to marry an Italian citizen). Their behavior is easily explained. The divorce process is long and expensive.
- Mothers in this state simply adore their sons and happily spoil them. This is probably why Italian men strive to live in their parents’ house for as long as possible. According to statistics, ¾ of thirty-year-old young people in this state live with their parents.
Legal mentality
The legislation of this country is very prolific in laws. In order for the citizens of this state to be able to live in harmony with the apparatus of justice, it is necessary to understand and remember more than 800 thousand different rules, acts and, of course, laws. Although the Italians (note that these people are a little crazy) often ignore the law. For example, a typical citizen of this country does not wear a seat belt while driving a car. And, as you know, this is required by law.
Very often I am asked the same question: “What are they like, Italians?” Indeed, in our time of total computerization, it has become very easy to meet different people from different countries. And Italians have generally flooded social dating networks. And many Russian and Ukrainian women, having met some Italian “macho” via the Internet, want to learn more about the people themselves.
And I decided to briefly outline a few of the main, in my opinion, features:
All Italians live by the principle “buona faccia - cattivo giocco” (good face - evil game) if translated literally. That is, there is no shame in being fake.
- Italians are incredible dreamers. Talking about yourself in the manner of the famous Baron Munchausen is a favorite pastime of many Italians.
- They easily make promises that they can simply forget about after 15 minutes.
- Punctuality is also not their distinguishing feature. Therefore, if you have an appointment, for example, at 13.00, feel free to come at 13.30.
- Italians are very gambling, all kinds of lotteries, casino slot machines, by the way, now online casinos are also popular.
- Italians are ardent smokers, especially those living in the South.
- Pasta is indispensable for Italians; many even take a couple of kilograms with them if they are traveling outside of Italy.
- When talking, they often touch the interlocutor, patting the shoulder, the back.
- Italians are very superstitious people; every self-respecting Italian must have some kind of amulet against the evil eye, damage, etc.
- Italian men are very attached to their mother; many prefer to live under her care until the age of forty.
- Almost every Italian boy dreams of becoming a famous football player.
- For all their love, Italian men rarely leave their families for new love.
- Among Italian women there are many “old maids” or, as they are also called here, “brides of Jesus”. These are women who have lived alone all their lives, thereby emphasizing their “purity” and “special piety.” But, as a rule, these are people with a bad, grumpy character.
- Italians are very kind to children; there are no orphanages in Italy, and “refuseniks” are quickly adopted.
- Southerners have a very complex relationship with residents of northern Italy. Those, in turn, treat the southerners with slight disdain, considering the South of Italy to be an uncouth province.
- Many Italians do not have breakfast, drinking only a cup of coffee, and have dinner no earlier than 19.30.
- Italians drink a lot of wine, but it is almost impossible to meet a drunk person on the street.
- Traffic rules are very often neglected (mainly in the South).
- Almost every Italian TV show, regardless of the topic, features half-naked female presenters.
- The traffic police do not work in the rain. That is, in bad weather you are unlikely to encounter a post on the road.
Of course, this list was compiled based on my personal observations; maybe someone will add or disagree with something. I will only be glad to see your feedback.
