homework
Making Acquaintances: Do’s and Don’t’s
(Country: Italy)
List of Do’s and Don’t’s
Do’s
1. Ensure to shake hands when greeting Italians. Use “Signora for Mrs. and Signore for Mr. as well as a family name in the event of strangers. Refrain from using first names aside from when requested (Walks of Italy, 2012) .
2. Wear fashionable clothing. People in Italy pride themselves based on their appearances. Dark suits are quite common in the case of businessmen, with expensive cufflinks, ties, and watches. Women are required to dress in a stylish manner with jewelry and makeup (Walks of Italy, 2012) .
3. Make sure you place the two hands on the table when taking means even after you are done eating (Tour Italy Now, 2017) .
4. Offer your host an appealing gift, such as a giftwrapped wine, chocolate, or flowers, but avoid gold or black as the colors are considered for funerals (Tour Italy Now, 2017)
5. Insist in a repeated manner you do not want additional food once you are satisfied. Make sure to place your knife and fork on the plate’s right side to reveal you are finished with eating (Travel Taboo, 2011) .
Don’t
1. Refrain from wearing unacceptable shorts in public places. Ensure to cover the knees, shoulders, and midriff when visiting churches. You can wear a scarf or hat when possible (Travel Taboo, 2011) .
2. Avoid walking in deserted and dark streets located close to bus or train stations. Bag snatchers are found in those places (Tour Italy Now, 2017) .
3. Avoid showing up in around 10 minutes early, as Italians are not considered as quite punctual. Prepare waiting for between 15 and 45 minutes before the arrival of an Italian counterpart (Tour Italy Now, 2017) .
4. Avoid using hands when eating even in the case of fruits. Ensure to refrain from leaving dinner table once done since such practice is perceived as rude (Travel Taboo, 2011) .
5. Refrain from pointing when using the pinkie and index finger simultaneously since the act is considered as extreme vulgar among Italians (Travel Taboo, 2011)
