The national character of Italy

Since the unification of modern Italy has only lasted for more than 100 years, and the level of economic development between the north and the south is very different, most of the Italians only say that they are the people of a certain region. On the other hand, the Italians have a strong sense of national pride, they are happy about the long history of the nation, such as the slightest disagreement with the past glory of Italy, will make them angry. Most Italians do not speak English. Because of the historical influence of Catholicism, many important religious festivals have gradually evolved into national celebrations of folklore. Italians are cheerful and talkative, and like to get to the point without beating around the bush. They like to argue, easy to get excited but not hurt feelings.

2. Meet etiquette

Italians first name in the first, last name after the formal occasions can be used in full. In daily interactions in general only their surnames, or will be Mr., Mrs., Miss and even called. Between peers, colleagues, friends and acquaintances, it is customary to call them by their first names. Most women change their husband's name after marriage, and it is up to them to decide whether to keep their father's name. When they meet each other, most of them do the handshake and greet each other, and the handshake should not be too tight or too long. Between friends, usually by the woman's initiative to embrace men or kiss. People wearing hats often pull the brim down to show respect. It is common to wave more often between friends. Ladies first etiquette is everywhere.

Italians value friendship and are sociable and helpful. They are dashing and outspoken, but prone to mood swings. Compared with the Germans, they are less stereotypical; compared with the French, they are more enthusiastic. They respect others, especially the elderly, women and children. They have a taste for pleasure, food and fashion. They have a strong sense of identity and value rank and hierarchical status.

Italians like to lean closer when they talk, the interval is usually 30 to 40 centimeters, and they don't like others to look directly at them. Their facial expressions, love to do gestures. Such as the thumb and forefinger in a circle, the remaining three points up, said "good", "line"; raise the forefinger swing back and forth, with the forefinger pressed on the cheeks to rotate two, said praise a lady beautiful; gently pinch your chin with your hand to show disinterest, please leave quickly! Shrug your shoulders and spread your palms upward to indicate "I don't know"; turn your five fingers together with your palms facing inward and turn them towards your stomach to indicate "hunger"; press your index fingers against your cheeks and turn them back and forth to indicate "yummy"; touch the side of your index fingers to your forehead to indicate "yummy". Touching the forehead with the side of the forefinger is a way of calling someone a "fool" or "idiot". They are not very punctual, often late or even miss appointments. In the public **** place generally can not smoke, to smoke must be asked in advance whether others mind. Italy has the habit of giving gifts to send souvenirs, rarely send expensive gifts, can send flowers, paintings, wine, tea, chocolate, cakes, handicrafts. They pay attention to the packaging of gifts, used to open in person to see, and say a few words of praise, like or thank you.

3. Dining etiquette

Italians have a certain order of what to eat first and what to eat later. For example, the first aperitif or drink, and then on the cold dishes. After finishing the main dishes, vegetarian dishes, to taste cheese, snacks and fruit, ice cream, and finally drink coffee or a small glass of spirits. Hold a fork in your left hand and a knife and spoon in your right hand, don't let the utensils rattle, and put them on a plate when you are finished. Don't make noise when eating. Eat meat in one piece and eat it as you cut it. Eat noodles without picking them up and roll them with a fork. After eating one side of a fish, don't turn it over, use a knife and fork to remove the bones and eat the other side. Drink coffee by stirring it with a small spoon, then put the spoon on the plate and drink it directly from the cup. Italians love pasta, and in addition to bread, pizza and cakes, they enjoy pasta such as macaroni as a dish, and fried rice as a dish. Italians are addicted to alcohol, but not persuaded to drink, the favorite wine, but also love to drink yogurt and coffee. Italians take meals as a way of socializing and bonding, chatting while eating, sometimes for two or three hours.

4. Dress etiquette

Italy is the hometown of clothing, known for clothing design and production, shoes and jewelry processing. Attention to dress is its national tradition, they believe that clothing reflects both the person's cultivation and insight, but also reflects his attitude towards the world. They wear clothes to pay attention to fit, pay attention to the color and style of clothing, tops, pants and shoes color matching to be coordinated, clothing styles and colors, to be compatible with their own skin color and personality, pay attention to personalized clothing and the overall collocation, but also like to be new and fashionable. On formal occasions, they wear three-piece suits and ties. Ladies wear sheath dresses and seldom wear pants. Italians are used to wearing different clothes for different occasions. Dressing is not limited by gender and age, middle-aged and old men also wear red tops and floral shirts.

Italian clothing can be roughly divided into ethnic clothing, ordinary clothing, popular clothing and formal clothing. National costumes represent the traditional habits of various ethnic groups, in case of major festivals, celebrations or traditional festival performances, people only wear colorful traditional costumes. On weekdays, men wear all kinds of cotton shirts, T-shirts, jackets, pants and pants, and women wear embroidered shirts, cotton, linen and silk tops or knitted tops, dresses, skirts and so on. Amateur wear casual wear, sportswear. Some young people love to wear popular clothing. Italian fashion is known for its traditional handmade exquisite, sophisticated materials, novel style.

5. Wedding and funeral etiquette

The custom of marriage is similar to that of other European countries. Such as love, engagement; wedding is divided into two kinds: church wedding and civil wedding. Honeymoon after the wedding.

Italy is accustomed to the dead burial, cremation rate is low.

6. Business etiquette

Enterprise decision-making power is mostly manipulated in the hands of the general manager, dealing directly with the boss, is a shortcut to do business with the Italians. Doing business with them must be interviewed to establish credibility and friendship, it is possible to expand business. Negotiations before the various matters to be arranged in advance, in advance of the appointment. August do not arrange business activities, at this time, most of the Italians are out on vacation.

7. Main taboos

Think "3" and "13" are two unlucky numbers, also do not like "Friday". It is taboo to scatter salt on the ground because it is very important for human beings. Flowers for women should be given in the singular, roses for courtship and chrysanthemums for funerals. Don't eat garlic before going out to meet guests, and avoid giving handkerchiefs to people because they are used for wiping tears. Silk fabrics and hemp fabrics generally do not make gifts. They also taboo cross handshake to avoid the formation of a "10" word. Conversation do not inquire about personal privacy, such as age, marriage, income, religious beliefs, political affiliation, etc., do not talk about politics, especially the mafia, corruption and other issues, but also do not talk about American football.

Italians like green (symbolizing spring); blue (auspicious), yellow (beauty God), avoid purple, avoid the statue of ladies, crocus patterns. Like animal and bird motifs. Like dogs and cats.