homework

Making Acquaintances: Differences and Similarities

(Country: Italy)

DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES

Historical Background

The history of Italy can be traced to early 1861 when the first parliament proclaimed the kingdom of Italy. The movement for Italian unification led to the formation of the country. Italy had remained disunited since the decline of the Roman Empire calling for unification. Italy is home to Muslims, Normans, Germans, French, Spanish, Austrians and Italians. The Italians unsuccessfully challenged foreign rule in the 19th century until in the second half of the 19th century when they began to progressively liberate the peninsula by driving out the Spanish bourbons and Austrians. The Italians successively used military and diplomatic victories to drive away the foreigners. The Italians did not however completely unify Italy until the acquisition of Venetia in 1866 and Rome in 1870 (Italy, 2017).

Communication Styles

Italian is the official language with hundreds of dialects spoken across the State. Greetings to families and friends involve hugs, kisses and shaking of hands for strangers. One is required to greet the elderly formerly by addressing them by their names of titles. Italians are emotive and express joy, sadness or grief openly. Family communications are loud and passionate. Italians love direct contact to show sincerity while indirect eye contact is viewed negatively indicating disrespect, boredom, and dishonesty. Italians have a habit of speaking Italian with foreigners even if they know that you do not speak the language. The locals will show a tendency to speak to you in Italian, and one should not resist. Italians also use non-verbal cues accompanying verbal speech. Italians appreciate other people’s attempts to speak in their language. It is, therefore, recommended to address an individual with Italian origin with their native language. Miscommunication as a result of attempts of Italians to speak English and other languages are bound to occur because of difference in dialects and inadequate knowledge of the language (Italy, 2017).

Beliefs

Italy is composed of different cultures such as Romans, Jews, Sicily and the Mediterranean people. The official language is Italian with many different dialects depending on the region. Italians regard extended family as important. The extended family in Italy includes grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins who are invited to celebrations in the rank of their power. The families have the mother as the head of the house managing family finances. Children are expected to work to contribute to the family income with age. Most Italians are Roman Catholic with a strong influence of the church. Some churches have daily masses. Other Italians are Pentecostal and Jewish while others belong to other denominations (Italy, 2017).

Society Structure

The northern Italy has nuclear family living together while the southern parts have the extended family living together. Italians have more women than men enrolled in institutions of higher learning since the 1990s despite the number of employed women remaining low. The Roman Italians are the largest ethnic group in Italy mostly as a result of immigration. Italy is a democracy established since the end of Second World War. The political parties dominating the Italian political environment are the Christian democrats, socialist party, and communist party (Italy, 2017).

Reasons for Codes of Cultural Behavior

Do

     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). Reason:  Greetings in Italian indicate intimacy. Handshakes are used in formal situations and between strangers while saying “piacere” to mean “pleased to meet you.” Shaking hands is used in social occasions with people not known to you well. Handshakes are more particular between men and mixed couples than between females and opposite sex. Handshakes indicate the relationship between individuals and will advance to kisses and hugs as the relationship turns to acquaintances.

     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). Reason: Italians value fashion. Italians have a lot of appreciation for fashion signified by a large number of high-quality, expensive clothing from Italy. Expensive and fashionable clothing indicate a high class. Italians wear conformist styles similar fashions thus would expect similar fashions for other people as well. Styles in Italy do not carry similar connotations as in other countries, and people should therefore not be judged by their choice of clothing. Ladies wear to attract men’s attention that is given openly.

     3.          Make sure you place the two hands on the table when taking means even after you are done eating (Tour Italy Now, 2017). Reason: placing two hands on the table signify that you have finished eating. Putting the hands above the table indicates good etiquette. The wrists should be placed on the table and not the elbows.

     4.          In Italy offer your host a present such as gift wrapped wine, chocolate or flowers and avoid black or gold colors that are reserved for funerals. (Tour Italy Now, 2017). Reason: The gifts are given in appreciation of the welcome received.

     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). Reason: the cue signals satisfaction. Placing the cutlery on whichever side of the plate indicates that one hasn’t finished eating.

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). Reason: The Roman Catholic traditions from which Italian culture is deeply rooted regard such clothes as a show of disrespect. Italians also dress according to place and relationship to accomplices, therefore, dresses appropriately (Travel Taboo, 2011).

2. Do not laugh at church, religion, the pope, priests and nuns! Show respect. Older Italian people are religious and pay respect to church and religion (Do’s & don’ts in Italy, n.d.). Reason: The Catholic tradition and culture view laughing in the church as a show of disrespect to the church and others. The Italian culture is deeply rooted in the Catholic religion thus does not allow laughing in church. The Italians are religious people.

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). Reason:  Italians are flexible therefore require changing their priorities when the demand arises and requires similar people too.

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). Reason: it is viewed as unhealthy and informal. It is also perceived rude to leave the table after meals. Instead, use the above cutlery placement non-verbal cues or clean the table if served in a self-service bar as a show of appreciation.

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). Reason: The sign created is associated with satanic cults and is not acceptable in a highly religious country like Italy. The sign is also used to show that one’s spouse is not beautiful (Travel Taboo, 2011).

References

Tour Italy Now. (2017). Do’s and don’ts when visiting Italy. Tour Italy Now.com. Retrieved on August 1, 2017, from https://www.touritalynow.com/dos-and-donts-when-visiting-italy.

Travel Taboo. (2011). Italy travel tips: Do's and Don’ts. Traveltaboo.com. Retrieved on August 1, 2017, from http://www.traveltaboo.com/italy-travel-tips-dos-and-donts/

Walks of Italy. (2012). Top 7 Italy travel tips. WalksofItaly.com. Retrieved on August 1, 2017, from https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/travel-tips/italy-travel-tips

“Do’s & Don’ts in Italy”. (n.d.). Internship2industry. Retrieved Retrieved on August 1, 2017, from http://internship2industry.eu/tools/DosdontsItaly.pdf