People and Culture in Italy
Benvenuti! With its rich history and culture, world famous cuisine, and span of natural beauty and architecture, Italy is arguably one of the most sought after and unforgettable destinations!
Remember how your parents used to tell you to keep your elbows off the table during meals? Or that it’s rude to slurp your soup? Well there’s good news guys, these American cultures and customs don’t always translate to other countries! While the local people you meet won’t expect you to be fluent in their language, culture and customs, it is important to familiarize yourself with them.
Do you know how kissing, snoring and other things sound in other languages? That’s right, even sound effects can be translated!
As you may know, communication for Italians is a full body affair! Have fun familiarizing yourself with these basic hand gestures.
To brush up on your Italian phrases, check out the BBC’s Italian Language guide! Another well known part of communication in Italy is greeting and saying goodbye with a cheek kiss, commonly used among family, friends, and good acquaintances. To avoid bumping noses, kiss to the left cheek first, and then the right! Hopefully, these are some good tips to get you started on your adventure!
The most important thing to remember while you’re abroad is that things will be different. But, different doesn’t mean wrong. Be open, be curious, and read more about the culture you will be stepping into. Get excited about LIVING the life you’ve only dreamed and read about until now!
#CISabroadtip: Italians love their caffe! Familiarize yourself with the many types of coffee and etiquette for ordering at a bar (no lattes found here)! You can also check out this guide for Italian coffee culture!
#CISabroadtip: It may sound cliche, but in Italy, patience is truly a virtue! Your restaurant waiter may seem inattentive, but in reality, he or she wants to give you space to enjoy and socialize. Expect longer waits and a slower pace at public offices and banks. Lines are often long and service is not as efficient compared to U.S. standards. Offices do not always open on time and events seldom start promptly. Italians go with the flow, make the most of life, and do not like to stress over things! Try to tap into this culture during your time in Italy!
#CISAlumniTip
“Do your best to fully immerse yourself in the culture and take advantage of the opportunities abroad. This is your chance to experience many new things: new people, new food, new places, new traditions, new languages, new everything! Even if you feel physically or emotionally tired, get out there, leave your fear at home, and bring a positive attitude. Don’t take anything for granted. Even the most seemingly insignificant experience will become a highly valuable memory in the future.” – Debora C., Intern in Barcelona Alumna.
Fun video resources for Italy!