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WORLD CULTURES & FOLK CUSTOMS

SIMO JELACA, Ph.D.

FOREWORD

This book summarizes information about culture and customs of different nations. Noticeable differences in customs are among Christian, Islamic and Buddhist’s nations, although in all prevails intention for nice and greatest.

It will be too much to include every country, as there are similarities among many nations of the same or close nationalities. Characteristic are Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, or as well as Germany and Austria. The similar conclusion values for Latin nations, among themselves too.

Readers will find basic information about each country, such as its location and size, population and Ethnic Make-up, Religion, Climate, Language, Etiquettes and others.

This book can equally be used for travelers, either as tourists or business people, therefore everyone will find necessary information about Etiquette of people at their homes as well as at the business.

My intention was to find as much good information as possible. How much I have succeeded readers will judge it.

Author

ITALY

CULTURE AND FOLK CUSTOMS

Facts and Statistics

Location: Southern Europe, bordering Austria 430 km,

France 488 km,

Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km.

Size: 301.230 sq km.

Capital: Rome population 2.65 million.

Government: republic

Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south

Population: 58-60 million.

Ethnic Make-up: Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south)

Religions: predominantly Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community

Government: Republic

Italian culture

The Italians identify first with their village. This is known as "Campanilismo" - that area visible from the bell tower of the church in their village. But first and foremost Italians give priority to themselves, then their families, the village, province, region, and finally the country.

Italian culture traditions

The principal reason why many visit Italy is for the food. And who can blame them! The dining has to be among the best, if not the best, in the world. Many tourists have walked tummy grumbling out of their hotels in the morning. Italians are not big on the "most important meal of the day". Italians are not big breakfast eaters. Breakfast in Italy is usually a croissant and an espresso. Cappuccino is a breakfast drink only as Italians usually have the short espresso throughout the day. Coffee making is an art in Italy, especially in the south. Luckily for some, most Italian hotels are catching on and now serve plenty of cereals, yogurt, fruit, cold meats and bacon and eggs. Lunch and Supper: The menu is usually the same for both and depending where you are in Italy the main meal could be either lunch or supper. The large meal of the day is saved for lunch because lunch is followed by the civilized siesta. Italians do not eat lunch before 13.30. Meals are made up of "antipasto" - starters, then "primo" - a pasta or rice dish, "secondo" - the main meal, usually white or red meat. (Remember vegetables, fries and salads must be ordered separately.) After that comes cheeses, breads and salami and /or other cured meats. Lastly is "dolce" - sweets, which can be desserts or fruits. And finally an espresso, not a Cappuccino, or a liqueur.

Table etiquette

Italians do not sit around at restaurants and drink the rest of the bottle like other cultures. They also usually have their children with them as babysitting is also not in their culture. Everything is a family affair. Drinking without eating is frowned upon and seen as senseless to Italians. Wine is to accompany food not to make one drunk, and maybe a small digestive is taken after a meal.

As in most countries you start with the outside cutlery and move your way in after each course. Napkins are on the right and bread will be on the left. Napkins are placed on the lap and forearms (not elbows) should rest on the table, not on the lap (as in Anglo-Saxon fashion). Word of warning: If you do get invited to lunch with some Italian friends, do expect a few courses. Go easy on trying to impress the host by eating gigantic pasta proportions.

Once the meal is over, in summer, it is time to do another passeggiata, perhaps to find a bulon gelato (ice-cream). In all the large cities, the streets are still pulsating at midnight. The summer is too exciting and hot to be wasted on sleep, so do not attempt to go to bed early as the beeping and the shouting below your windows, will only wake you up!!

Italian religion

Almost all Italians are baptized but perhaps only 40% are practicing Catholics. About 85% of Italian Religion is accounted for by the Catholic faith. The remainder of Italian religion is made up of Muslims, Protestants, Jehovah's witnesses, Jews and Buddhists. Freedom of worship is written into the Italian Constitution. The Roman Pantheon was the first building in Italy dedicated to the people of Rome to freely practice their religion/spirituality. The general audience given by the pope is usually every Wednesday morning at 11Am in St Peter's square or the Papal Audience Chamber. Tickets are free but you need to book. Fax the "Prefettura della Casa Pontificia" at fax.06 6988 5863. There are also blessings from the library window at noon on Sundays.

Carnivals and celebrated holidays

In Italy There are many celebrated holidays, separate from the National holidays. In the ancient Roman Empire at one stage there were 182 celebrated holidays in Italy and Rome! Today in the smaller towns of Italy you can find the most colorful carnivals.

Tufara in Molise re-enact the sacrificing/burning of a figure called "Carnevale" a huge straw puppet and a metaphor for all the sins of the population.

Nocera TerineseIn Calabria still practice medieval rituals and at Easter a few devotees flagellate themselves. Spring is a time of rejuvenation and many towns throughout Italy celebrate with free theatrical shows of music and dance. At Cocullo in Abruzzo they even celebrate with many snakes around the statue of St Dominic the Abbot who is the protector of snake bites. In Siena they celebrate the "Palio '', arguably the most famous festival in Italy. On the 2nd July and 16th August bareback jockeys race around the main square of Siena in races with "no holds barred". In Rome at Easter you have the famous marching of the cross from the Roman Colosseum to the Palatine on Good Friday.

Italian Customs

Italian Customs and way of life differs from other Western Cultures in many ways.

Work Hours

Their hours of business for shops are usually from 9.30-13.30, after which most shops shut for siesta time then reopen from 16.30- 19.30. However many large companies have their set work hours 8.30-16.30 with lunch provided for the workers from 13.00-14.00. Most commercial offices and services also close for the siesta e.g. banks, post offices and museums and churches. So when traveling, make allowances for the fact that if you arrive at a town at lunch time, 13.30, the only things that will be open. will be the restaurants.

The Italian Language

Italian is the official language of Italy, and 93% of the population are native Italian speakers. Around 50% of the population speak a regional dialect as their mother tongue. Many dialects are mutually unintelligible and thus considered by linguists as separate languages, but are not officially recognised.

Albanian is spoken by 0.2% of the population, mainly in the southern part of Italy, as too are Croatian and Greek.

Catalan is spoken in one city, Alghero, on the island of Sardinia, by around 0.07% of the population. On the rest of the island, Sardinian is spoken by over 1m, which comes to 1.7% of the Italian population.

Italian Family Values

The family is the center 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 of your project too - i.e. confidence, style, demeanor, 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 honors, 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 color.

• 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 items 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 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 honored 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 wine glass 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.

• Demeanor 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.

  
  

It will be continued

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