Italian culture

Overview

Rome, the Winter Olympics, Wine, Ferrari, beautiful beaches – Italy has it all. From a European perspective, there is little doubt that Italy is the foundation of modern society in the West. This is conclusion is primarily due to two facts, the reign of the Romans and the Roman Catholic Church. The population of Italy as of 2005 was 58,103,033 people. Italy is an amazing country with colorful, animated people. From ancient culture to a bustling modern country, a trip to Italy is hard to beat.

Background

Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.

Italy is famous for its delicious food, homemade cooking and fine wines. As you would guess, many of the ingredients used in these world famous recipes are home grown such as fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives, beef, dairy products, and fish. 

Italy’s major exports are mechanical products, textiles and apparel, metal products, chemical products, food and agricultural products. However, one of the most renown areas of Italian exports is the luxury car. Some of the most known Italian luxury cars are Ferrari, Masserati, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat. Lamborghini (translates to Bull) was Italian until it was bought by Volkswagen in 1998. 

THE RENAISSANCE

The Renaissance was the time- period of creativity and change in Europe and during the 1300s to the 1600s in which there were changes in many areas such as political, social, economical, and cultural. The most important change was that of the people and how they saw themselves and their world. Many people showed interest in classical learning, especially the culture of the ancient Romans. They set out to change their own age. The Renaissance, as they felt, was a time of rebirth after the disorder and disasters of the medieval world. The Renaissance has made Italy the colorful place it is today filled with diverse art, culture and people. 

Geography and Climate

Italy is located in Southern Europe. It is a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia. Italy is slightly lager than Arizona. Italy borders many countries such as Austria, France, Switzerland, Slovenia, San Marino and Holy See (Vatican City). The country is mostly rugged and mountainous with some plains and coastal lowlands. The lowest point is the Mediterranean Sea at 0 m and the highest point is Mont Blanc de Courmayeur at 4,748 m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc). 

Italy has a largely temperate climate with regional variations. In summer the Northern parts of Italy are warm with occasional rainfall, the central region is somewhat stifled by humidity and the South scorches under the dry heat. In winter, conditions in Milan, Turin and Venice are dominated by cold, damp and fog and Tuscany's winter temperatures approach freezing, while temperatures in the south of the country are more favorable averaging 50-60°F (10-20°C). Most people visit Italy between June and August, however the best time to visit is in spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) when the weather is good and the tourists are few. The sea is warm enough for swimming between June and September. Most Italians take their vacation in August and many shops and restaurants are closed during this period. The ski season runs between December and April and the best time to walk in the Alps is between June and September.

Italian Culture

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 lives 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. Bella figura is more than dressing well. It extends to the aura your project too - i.e. confidence, style, demeanor, etc.

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. 

Meeting Etiquette (Cont.)

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.

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 such as wine or chocolates. If you are invited for dinner and want to send flowers, have them delivered that day.

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.

Table manners

Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to 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 wineglass nearly full.

Italian Wine Regions

Italian Wine Regions: Northern Italian Wine

Wine regions in northern Italy include the following:

Friuli-Venezia-Guilia has more than 46,000 acres dedicated to growing grapes. Friuli-Venezia Guilia is known for such wines as Ramandolo and Friuli-Giulia.

Liguria includes more than 118,000 acres of vineyards. More than half of the wines produced in this region are white wines.

Lombardy has more than 60,000 acres dedicated to growing grapes. This region produces predominately red wines. Wines include Franciacorta, a white sparkling wine, and Botticino, a red wine.

Trentino-Alto Adife has over 31,000 acres of vineyards, with the majority of the wines produced being red. Red wines include Alto Adige Colli di Bolzano and Alto Adige Santa Maddalena.

Valle d-Aosta, or Aosta Valley, has over 82,000 acres of vineyards that predominantly produce red wines.

Veneto has more than 186,000 acres dedicated to vineyards. Veneto produces Soaves.

Also included in northern Italy is the Piedmont region, with over 142,000 acres of vineyards. Piedmont is well-known for inventing the famous red Italian wine, Barolo. Barolo, which is made from the Nebbiolo grape, is meant to be aged for up to 15 years.

Another noted red wine from the Piedmont area, also made from the Nebbiolo grape, is Barbaresco. Barbarescos should be aged at least two years before drinking.

Piedmont is also known for its sparkling wines made from the Muscat grape. Unfortunately, many of these Asti wines do not make the grade as far as taste and quality.

Wine Regions of Italy: Central Italian Wine

Wine regions of central Italy include the following:

Emilia-Romagna has over 143,000 acres dedicated to growing grapes. Emilia-Romagna is noted for the production of the white wine Albana di Romagna.

Latiumhas more than 118,000 acres of vineyards. Latium produces fine wines, including Bianco Capena, a white wine, and the red Aprilia. Latium is also home to Frascati, a much criticized wine.

Umbriagrows grapes on over 40,000 acres. Noted wines include the red Lago di Corbara and the white Colli del Trasimeno.

World-famous Tuscany is located in central Italy and is home to Chianti, made predominantly from Sangiovese grapes. Look for Chiantis that are designated Riserva, as these Chiantis have been aged longer than other Chiantis.

Legend has it that grapes were growing in Tuscany before mankind inhabited the area. Tuscany has over 157,000 acres of vineyards.

Italian Wine Regions: Southern Italian Wine

Wines from Southern Italy are produced in the following areas:

Campania has over 101,000 acres dedicated to vineyards. Campania is known for Taurasi, a red wine, and two white wines, Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo.

Sardina has over 107,000 acres of vineyards. Vermentino di Gallura is a white wine of note produced in Sardina.

Sicily has a large area dedicated to vineyards, over 329,000 acres. Sicily is noted for the fortified wine Marsala.

Words and Phrases to Know

Phrases to know

1. Hello - Buon giorno - (BWON jor-noh) 

2. Goodbye - Arrivederci - (ah-REE-vuh-DARE-chee) 

3. Thank you - Grazie - (GRAH-tsee-eh)

4. Excuse me - Mi scusi -           (mee SKOO-zee) 

5. Yes - Si - (see)

My name is John - Mi chiamo John

What’s your name? - Come si chiama?

Please - Per favore/Per piacere

Sorry - Mi dispiace

Your welcome - Prego

OK - Va bene

Welcome - Benvenuti

I have to go now - Devo andare adesso

What’s wrong? - Cosa ce

I’m hungry/I’m thirsty - Ho fame/ Ho sete

Do you speak English? - Parli inglese?

I don’t speak Italian - Non parlo italiano

I don’t understand - Non capisco

Pardon me? (What?) - Come? (KOH-meh)

Where are you from? - Di dov’e

Bless you - Salute

I’m cold/I’m hot - Ho freddo/ Ho caldo

I forgot - Ho dimenticato

It doesn’t matter - Non importa

Pronunciation 

a - sounds like a in father

e -has two sounds: short vowel like e in pen; long vowel, similar to ai in fair

i - sounds like ea in tea or i in marine

o - has two sounds: like o in cozy or similar to o in cost

u -sounds like u in rude

ci, ce, and ch are pronounced as “ch” as in chapter

All vowels are pronounced by themselves and are always pronounced the same.