Italian Culture Research Paper

Welcome to Italy
Culture and culture of the Italian Peninsula… .

A Project by: Miodrag Jankovic Intercultural Communication EPHEC A Project by: Miodrag Jankovic Intercultural Communication EPHEC

Summary Italian ID Card 3 The History 4 Geography 5 Environment - current issues 6 Environment - international agreements 6 Natural hazards 6 Italian Society & Culture 7 The Italian Language 7 Italian Family Values 7 Architecture 7 Design 8 Fashion 9 Literature 9 Science 11 Visual Art 11 Cusine 12 Economy 14 Government 15 Italian Stereotypes 16 Etiquette & Customs in Italy 17 Italian Style 17 Meeting Etiquette 17 Gift Giving Etiquette 17
Dining Etiquette 18 Business Etiquette and Protocol in Italy 19 Relationships & Communication 19 Business Meeting Etiquette 19 Business Negotiation 19 Dress Etiquette 20 Business Cards 20 Religion 21 Catholic Religion in Italy 21 Other Christian Religions in Italy 21 Let’s Learn Italian 22 General Speaking 22
At the restaurant 23 Sources: 24

Italian ID Card Capital: Rome Official Language: Italian Government: Unitary Parliamentary Republic * President: Giorgio Napolitano * Prime Minister: Mario Monti Legislature: Parliament * Upper House: Senate of the Republic * Lower House: Chamber Of Deputies Formation * Unification: 17th March 1861 * Republic: 2nd June 1946 Area: 301,338 Km2 Population: 60.681.514 Density: 201,2/Km2 GDP: $ 2.055 trillion (2010) Per capita: $ 34,058 Inflation: 1,4% Unemployment: 8,4% Gini (2006): 32/100 Currency: Euro (€) Time Zone: UTC +1 Iso 3166 Code: IT Calling Code: +39
National Motto: For the Honor of Italy (Per l’onore d’Italia)

THE
HISTORY
Italy, united in 1861, has significantly contributed to the political, cultural and social development of the entire Mediterranean region. Many cultures and civilizations have existed there since prehistoric times.

Culturally and linguistically, the origins of Italian history can be traced back to the 9th century BC, when earliest accounts date the presence of Italic tribes in modern central Italy. Linguistically they are divided into Oscans, Umbrians and Latins. Later the Latin culture became dominant, as Rome emerged as the dominant city around 350 BC. Other pre-Roman civilizations include Magna Graecia in Southern Italy and the earlier Etruscan civilization, which flourished between 900 and 150 BC in the Center North, Po Valley, Latium and Campania.

After the Roman Republic and Empire dominated this part of the world for many centuries, came an Italy whose people would make immeasurable contributions. Some of these contributions led to the development of European philosophy, science, and art during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Dominated by city-states for much of the medieval and Renaissance period, the Italian peninsula also experienced several foreign dominations. Parts of Italy were annexed to the Spanish, the Austrian and Napoleon's empire, while the Vatican maintained control over the central part of it, before the Italian Peninsula was eventually liberated and unified amidst much struggle in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In the late-19th century and early 20th century, or the new Kingdom of Italy, the country built a colonial empire, colonizing parts of Africa, and countries along the Mediterranean. Italy suffered enormous losses in World War I but came out on the winning side. The Fascists, led by Benito Mussolini, took over and set up an authoritarian dictatorship 1922-43. Italy was a junior partner of Nazi Germany and Japan in World War II, and after the southern regions had been liberated in 1943 the Fascists fought on until surrendering in 1945 as the "Republic of Salò". Italy was a hard-fought battlefield in 1943-45.
In 1946, due to a referendum, the Kingdom of Italy was abolished, and 2 June 1946 saw the birth of the Italian Republic. The 1950s and 1960s in Italy saw a period of rapid modernization and economic growth succeeding the disastrous consequences of World War II, and ever since, Italy has been one of the founding nations, or has joined, several organizations, such as the European Economic Community, which later became the European Union, the United Nations, NATO, UNESCO, the G7, which afterward became the G8, the G20, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Italy is currently ranked as a regional power,and Italy has been classified in a study, measuring hard power, as being the 11th greatest worldwide national power. |

Geography

Cities: Capital: Rome (pop. 2.8 million, 3.7 million metro). Other cities: Milan (1.3 million, 3.9 metro), Naples (975,000, 3 million metro), Turin (900,000, 2.1 million metro).

Location: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia

Geographic coordinates: 42 50 N, 12 50 E

Area: Total: 301,230 sq km Land: 294,020 sq km Water: 7,210 sq km Note: includes Sardinia and Sicily

Land Boundaries: Total: 1932,2 km

Border Countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km

Coastline: 7,600 km

Climate: Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south

Terrain: Mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands

Elevation Extremes: Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m Highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc)

Natural Resources: Coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorospar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, arable land

Land use: Arable land: 27.79% Permanent crops: 9.53% Other: 62.68% (2001)

Italy is a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. Its most prominent feature is its boot-like shape kicking the island of Sicily.
Much of Italy is covered by mountains. The Dolomite mountains which extend across northern Italy part of the Alps mountain range. The Apennine mountains cut down the center of Italy, stretching from north to south, dividing the east and west coasts.
Was a strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe
The Po Valley, just south of the Dolomite mountains, is the basin of the Po River. It is fertile farm land.
Italy includes two large islands: Sicily and Sardinia. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, with active volcanoes and earthquakes. Sardinia is basically mountains rising out of the ocean.
Italy also has two independent countries within its borders. Vatican City is the center for the Roman Catholic Church, and is the world's smallest country. San Marino, on the north east coast of Italy, is an independent republic.

Environment - current issues:

Air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities
Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Natural hazards: regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice

Italian Society & Culture
The Italian Language

Italian is the official language of Italy, and 93% of population are native Italian speakers. Around 50% of population speak a regional dialect as mother tongue. Many dialects are mutually unintelligible and thus considered by linguists as separate languages, but are not officially recognised. Friulian, one of these dialects, is spoken by 600,000 people in the north east of Italy, which is 1% of the entire population. Other northern minority languages include Ladin, Slovene, German, which enjoys equal recognition with Italian in the province of Alto-Adige, and French, which is legally recognised in the Alpine region of the Val d'Aosta.
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 centre 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.

Architecture

Architectural ruins from antiquity throughout Italy testify to the greatness of cultures past. The history of architecture in Italy is one that begins with the ancient styles of the Etruscans and Greeks, progressing to classical Roman, then to the revival of the Roman era during the Renaissance and evolving into the Baroque era. During the period of the Italian Renaissance it had been customary for students of architecture to travel to Rome to study the ancient ruins and buildings as an essential part of their education.
Old St. Peter's Church (begun about A.D. 330) was probably the first significant early Christian basilica, a style of church architecture that came to dominate the early Middle Ages. Old St. Peter's stood on the site of the present St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The first significant buildings in the medieval Romanesque style were churches built in Italy during the 800's. Several outstanding examples of the Byzantine architectural style of the Middle East also were built in Italy. The most famous Byzantine structure is the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice. The greatest flowering of Italian architecture took place during the Renaissance. Filippo Brunelleschi made great contributions to architectural design with his dome for the Cathedral of Florence. Leon Battista Alberti was another early Renaissance architect whose theories and designs had an enormous influence on later architects.
Perhaps the greatest achievement of Italian Renaissance architecture was St. Peter's Basilica, originally designed by Donato Bramante in the early 1500s. Andrea Palladio influenced architects throughout western Europe with the villas and palaces he designed in the middle and late 1500s.The Baroque period produced several outstanding Italian architects in the 1600s especially known for their churches. The most important architects included Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. Numerous modern Italian architects, such as Renzo Piano, are famous worldwide.

Design

Italy is prominent in the field of design, notably interior design, architectural design, industrial design and urban design. The Italian style is known globally for the quality of its interior design, and has produced some well-known furniture designers, such as Gio Ponti and Ettore Sottsass, and Italian phrases such as Bel Disegno and Linea Italiana have entered the vocabulary of furniture design.Examples of classic pieces of Italian white goods and pieces of furniture include Zanussi's rigorous, creative and streamlined washing machines and fridges, the "New Tone" sofas by Atrium, and the innovative post-modern bookcase by Ettore Sottsass, inspired by Bob Dylan's song Memphis Blues.
The particular bookcase became huge a cultural and design icon of the 1980s. Today, Milan and Turin are the nation's leaders in architectural design and industrial design. The city of Milan hosts the FieraMilano, Europe's biggest design fair. Milan also hosts major design and architecture-related events and venues, such as the Fuori Salone and the Salone del Mobile, and has also been home to the designers Bruno Munari, Lucio Fontana, Enrico Castellani and Piero Manzoni.
Fashion

Today, Italy is one of the world centers of modern high fashion clothing. Fashion houses such as Armani, Benetton, Fendi, Gucci, Versace and Prada have become household words.
The city of Milan takes its place amongst the most prestigious and important centers of fashion in the world. Accessory and jewelry labels, such as Bulgari and Luxottica are also internationally acclaimed, and Luxottica is also the world's largest eyewear company.Currently, Milan, (Italy's center of design) and Rome annually compete with other major international centres, such as Paris, New York, London and Tokyo. Also, the fashion magazine Vogue Italia, is considered the most important and prestigious fashion magazine in the world.
Literature

Italian literature began after the founding of Rome in 753 BC. Roman, or Latin literature, was and still is highly influential in the world, with numerous writers, poets, philosophers, and historians, such as Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, Virgil, Horace, Propertius, Ovid and Livy. The Romans were also famous for their oral tradition, poetry, drama and epigrams.
The basis of the modern Italian Literature in the Italian language was shaped by three great writers of the 1300s — Dante Alighieri, Petrarch, and Giovanni Boccaccio. Their language and their works were imitated by Italian writers for hundreds of years. Dante's The Divine Comedy is a masterpiece of world poetry. Boccaccio's Decameron is one of the most popular collections of short stories ever written. Petrarch's love poetry served as a model for centuries.
Italian Renaissance authors produced a number of important works. Among the best known is The Prince, a political science essay written by Niccolò Machiavelli in 1513 and published in 1532. Italian drama developed in the 1600s, especially in the style called commedia dell'arte. These comedies were based on the improvisation of certain characters and became very popular. An outstanding writer of the Baroque period was Metastasio, and Carlo Goldoni was the most prominent playwright of the 18th century.
The time of Italy's rebirth was heralded by the poets Vittorio Alfieri, Ugo Foscolo, and Giacomo Leopardi. Alessandro Manzoni was the principal Italian novelist of the 19th century, and Francesco de Sanctis the greatest literary critic. Among the Italian literary figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Giosuè Carducci, Giovanni Verga, Gabriele d'Annunzio, Luigi Pirandello, and Grazia Deledda achieved international renown. Leading writers of the postwar era are Ignazio Silone, Alberto Moravia, Italo Calvino, Umberto Eco, Dario Fo, and the poets Salvatore Quasimodo and Eugenio Montale. Music

From folk to classical, music has always played an important role in Italian culture. Having given birth to opera, for example, Italy provides many of the very foundations of the classical music tradition. Some of the instruments that are often associated with classical music, including the piano and violin, were invented in Italy, and many of the existing classical music forms can trace their roots back to innovations of 16th and 17th century Italian music (such as the symphony, concerto, and sonata).
Italian composers have played a major role in music since the Middle Ages. In the 1000s, Guido of Arezzo, an Italian monk, developed a revolutionary system of notation and method of sight-singing.
During the Renaissance, Giovanni Palestrina composed masterpieces of choral music for use in church services. The first operas were composed in Florence in the 1590s. Opera emerged as an art form during the Baroque period. Claudio Monteverdi was the first great composer of Baroque opera in the early 1600s. Important composers of the late 1600s and early 1700s included Alessandro Scarlatti, his son Domenico, and Antonio Vivaldi. Alessandro became best known for his operas, Domenico for his keyboard compositions, and Vivaldi for his works for violin. During the 1800s and early 1900s, popular operas were composed by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, and Gioacchino Rossini.
Today, the entire infrastructure that supports music as a profession is extensive in Italy, including conserv atories, opera houses, radio and television stations, recording studios, music festivals, and important centers of musicological research. Musical life in Italy remains extremely active, but very Italian-centered and hardly international. The only main international Italian pop-singers include 1970s pop-diva Mina, who sold 76 million records worldwide in her lifetime, and singer Laura Pausini, who has sold 45 million albums.
La Scala operahouse in Milan is also renowned as one of the best in the world. Famous Italian opera singers include Enrico Caruso, Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli, to name a few. has also seen the birth and development of several modern musical genres, including progressive rock, experimental, and electronic music, most notably disco (or Italo disco). Italo disco is a subgenre of disco music which is regarded as the first proper electronic dance genre, evolving in Italy in the 1970s and also from composer/producer Giorgio Moroder's electronic-disco creations.

Science

The still-standing aqueducts, bathhouses, and other public works of both ancient republic and empire testify to the engineering and architectural skills of the Romans. The rebirth of science during the Renaissance brought the daring speculations of Leonardo da Vinci (including discoveries in anatomy, meteorology, geology and hydrology) advances in physics and astronomy by Galileo Galilei, and the development of the barometer by Evangelista Torricelli.
At the turn of the century, Guglielmo Marconi carried out experiments in electricity and developed the wireless, but he was preceded by Count Alessandro Volta, one of the pioneers of electricity, over 100 years earlier. By the end of the Second World War, Enrico Fermi's work in nuclear physics led to the development of both the atomic bomb and peaceful atomic applications. On September 25, 2001, US Congress passed a resolution that officially recognized the Florentine immigrant to the United States, Antonio Meucci, as the inventor of the telephone.
A brief overview of some other notable figures includes the astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini, who made many important discoveries about the Solar System; the mathematicians Lagrange, Fibonacci, and Gerolamo Cardano, whose Ars Magna is generally recognized as the first modern treatment on mathematics, made fundamental advances to the field; Marcello Malpighi, a doctor and founder of microscopic anatomy; the biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani, who conducted important research in bodily functions, animal reproduction, and cellular theory; the physician, pathologist, scientist, and Nobel laureate Camillo Golgi, whose many achievements include the discovery of the Golgi complex, and his role in paving the way to the acceptance of the Neuron doctrine.
The Italians love of automobiles and speed has made Italy famous for its production of many of the world's most famous sports cars and the industry that flourishes there. Some of the world's most elite vehicles were developed in Italy: Lamborghini, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Masarati are but a few of the well-known luxury cars that originated in Italy.

Visual Art

The history and development of art in western culture is grounded in hundreds of years of Italian history. No land has made a greater contribution to the visual arts. In Ancient Rome, Italy was the centre for art and architecture. There were many Italian artists during the Gothic and Medieval periods, and the arts flourished during the Italian Renaissance. Later styles in Italy included Mannerism, Baroque and Macchiaioli. Futurism developed in Italy in the 20th century. Florence, Venice and Rome, in particular, are brimming with art treasures in museums, churches, and public buildings.

The Italian Renaissance produced many of the greatest painters and sculptors in art history. They were all influenced by the work of Giotto di Bondone in the late 1200s. One of the most influential artists who ever lived, Giotto changed the course of Western art by painting in a new realistic style.Florence became the center of early Renaissance art. The great Florentine masters of painting included Masaccio, Fra Angelico, Andrea Mantegna, Sandro Botticelli, and Paolo Uccello. The greatest artist of the 1400s was probably Leonardo da Vinci. His portrait Mona Lisa and his religious scene The Last Supper are among the most famous paintings in history.
Early Renaissance sculptors equaled the painters in achievement. The major sculptors included Donatello, Antonio del Pollaiolo, and Andrea del Verrocchio.
The later Renaissance was dominated by Raphael and Michelangelo. Raphael painted balanced, harmonious pictures that expressed a calm, noble way of life. Michelangelo achieved greatness both as a painter and sculptor. In Venice, a number of artists were painting richly colored works during the 1500s. The most famous Venetian masters included Giorgione, Titian, and Tintoretto.
Italian painters and sculptors dominated the Baroque period. Annibale Caracci and Caravaggio were the most important early Baroque painters. Gian Lorenzo Bernini was the greatest master of European sculpture of the Baroque period.
In the 1900s, many Italians played leading roles in the development of modern art. Umberto Boccioni was a founder and the leading sculptor of the Futurism movement. Giorgio de Chirico gained fame for his haunting paintings of empty city squares. Amedeo Modigliani won renown with a series of brilliantly painted portraits.

Cusine

Italian cuisine as a national cuisine known today has evolved through centuries of social and political changes, with its roots traced back to 4th century BC.
Significant change occurred with discovery of the New World which helped shape much of what is known as Italian cuisine today with the introduction of items such as potatoes, tomatoes, bell pepper and maize, which are all central parts of the cuisine but not introduced in scale until the 18th century.
Ingredients and dishes vary by region. Many dishes that were once regional, however, have proliferated in different variations across the country in the present day. Cheese and wine are also a major part of the cuisine, playing different roles both regionally and nationally with their many variations and Denominazione di origine controllata (regulated appellation) laws. taly's cuisine is widely regarded as amongst the most popular in the world, and is mainly made up of traditional dishes, meals and deserts, such as pasta, spaghetti, pizza, focaccia, bruschetta, arancini, granita, lasagna, risotto, gnocchi, polenta, and zampone, to name a few. Basil, mozzarella, garlic, olive oil and tomatoes are examples of ingredients which are used frequently in Italian
cuisine.
Also, Italy exports and produces the highest level of wine, exporting over 1,793 tonnes. Italy currently is responsible for producing approximately one-fifth of world wine production in 2005. Some parts of the country are home to some of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world.
Famous and traditional Italian wines include Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, Barbera, Dolcetto, Corvina, Nero d'Avola, Pinot Grigio and Moscato, to name a few.
Italy is also famous for its gelato, or traditional ice-cream often known as Italian ice cream abroad. There are gelaterias or ice-cream vendors and shops all around Italian cities, and it is a very popular dessert or snack, especially during the summer. Sicilian granitas, or a frozen dessert of flavored crushed ice, more or less similar to a sorbet or a snow cone, are popular desserts not only in Sicily or their native town of Catania, but all over Italy (even though the Northern and Central Italian equivalent, the gratta checca, commonly found in Rome or Milan is slightly different to the traditional granita Siciliana). Italy also boasts an assortion of several different desserts. The Christmas cakes pandoro and panettone are popular in the North (pandoro is from Verona, whilst panettone is Milanese), however, they have also become popular desserts in other parts of Italy and abroad. The Colomba Pasquale, or the Italian Easter cake is eaten all over the country on Easter day, and is a more traditional option to chocolate Easter eggs. Tiramisu is, on addition, a very popular and symbolic Italian dessert from Veneto which has become famous worldwide. Other Italian cakes and sweets include cannoli, the cassata Siciliana, fruit-shaped marzipans and the panna cotta.
Coffee, and more specifically espresso, has become highly important to the cultural cuisine of Italy.
ECONOMY
The Italian economy has changed dramatically since the end of World War II. From an agriculturally based economy, it has developed into an industrial state ranked as the world's seventh-largest market economy. Italy belongs to the Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized nations; it is a member of the European Union and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Italy has few natural resources. With much land unsuited for farming, Italy is a net food importer. There are no substantial deposits of iron, coal, or oil. Proven natural gas reserves, mainly in the Po Valley and offshore in the Adriatic, constitute the country's most important mineral resource. Most raw materials needed for manufacturing and more than 80% of the country's energy sources are imported. Italy's economic strength is in the processing and the manufacturing of goods, primarily in small and medium-sized family-owned firms. Its major industries are precision machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electric goods, and fashion and clothing.

Italy continues to grapple with budget deficits and high public debt--4.6% and 119% of GDP for 2010, respectively. Italy joined the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 by signing the Stability and Growth Pact, and as a condition of this Euro zone membership, Italy must keep its budget deficit beneath a 3% ceiling. The Italian Government has found it difficult to bring the budget deficit down to a level that would allow a rapid decrease of the debt. The worsening economic situation undermined this aim, and the deficit grew well above the 3% ceiling in 2009 and 2010, to 5.4% and 4.5% respectively. The government plans to bring the deficit down to 3.9% in 2011 and below 3% in 2012. Modest GDP growth is likely to jeopardize this effort.

Italy's economic growth averaged only 0.8% in the period 2001-2008. GDP contracted as the Euro zone and world economies slowed, decreasing 1.3% in 2008 and 5.2% in 2009 largely due to the global economic crisis and its impact on exports and domestic demand. GDP recovered only part of the ground lost, growing 1.3% in 2010. In 2011 Italy’s GDP is expected to grow below the EMU countries' average.

Italy's closest trade ties are with the other countries of the European Union, with whom it conducts about 58.1% of its total trade (2009 data). Italy's largest European Union trade partners, in order of market share, are Germany (12.7%), France (11.6%), Spain (5.7%), and the United Kingdom (5.1%). Italy continues to grapple with the effects of globalization, where certain countries (notably China) have eroded the Italian lower-end industrial product sector.

The Italian economy is also affected by a large underground economy--worth some 27% of Italy's GDP. This production is not subject, of course, to taxation and thus remains a source of lost revenue to the local and central government.
Annual population growth rate (2010 est.): 0.04%, mostly due to immigration.
Ethnic groups: Primarily Italian, but there are small groups of German-, French-, Slovene-, and Albanian-Italians.

Government

Italy has been a democratic republic since June 2, 1946, when the monarchy was abolished by popular referendum. The constitution was promulgated on January 1, 1948.

The Italian state is centralized. The prefect of each of the provinces is appointed by and answerable to the central government. In addition to the provinces, the constitution provides for 20 regions with limited governing powers. Five regions--Sardinia, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige, Valle d'Aosta, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia--function with special autonomy statutes. The other 15 regions were established in 1970 and vote for regional "councils." The establishment of regional governments throughout Italy has brought some decentralization to the national governmental machinery, and recent governments have devolved further powers to the regions. Many regional governments, particularly in the north of Italy, are seeking additional powers.

The 1948 constitution established a bicameral parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate), a separate judiciary, and an executive branch composed of a Council of Ministers (cabinet), headed by the president of the council (prime minister). The president of the republic is elected for 7 years by the parliament sitting jointly with a small number of regional delegates. The president nominates the prime minister, who chooses the other ministers. The Council of Ministers--in practice composed mostly of members of parliament--must retain the confidence of both houses.

The houses of parliament are popularly and directly elected by a proportional representation system. Under 2005 legislation, the Chamber of Deputies has 630 members (12 of whom are elected by Italians abroad). In addition to 315 elected members (six of whom are elected by Italians abroad), the Senate includes former presidents and several other persons appointed for life according to special constitutional provisions. Both houses are elected for a maximum of 5 years, but either may be dissolved before the expiration of its normal term. Legislative bills may originate in either house and must be passed by a majority in both.

The Italian judicial system is based on Roman law modified by the Napoleonic code and subsequent statutes. There is only partial judicial review of legislation in the American sense. A constitutional court, which passes on the constitutionality of laws, is a post-World War II innovation. Its powers and the volume and frequency of its decisions are not as extensive as those of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Principal Government Officials President--Giorgio Napolitano
Prime Minister--Silvio Berlusconi
Foreign Minister--Franco Frattini
Minister of Defense--Ignazio La Russa
Minister of Finance--Giulio TremontiMinister of Justice--Angelino Alfano
Minister of the Interior--Roberto Maroni
Ambassador to the United States--Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata. Italian Stereotypes
Italian people are worm, easy-going, generally good looking and they like to live life but at the same time they can be real sleazy and too often we tend to choose illegal ways to obtain what we want. Yes, Italians love eating pasta pizza and all tipical italian dishes because they taste good. In Italy you can find strong moral values in particular family ones and that is great on one side but on the other hand these are the same values on which the Mafia is based; not all Italians belong to the Mafia, Italians in general hate the Mafia and do not act like Mafiosi to look cool or powerful. Anyway the real Mafia has nothing to do with the common Hollywood immage of the stree t gangster/drug-dealer/pimp but it's actually about money-laundering, rackets and politics. Unfortunately sometimes italians tend to live with parents for too long but that's just because their mothers cook the best food and family bonds are really tight. Another tipical italian stereotypes is that Italians are excellent lovers, both guys and girls. Italian boys respect women more than many cultures, and they like to marry italian girls because they need someone took cook like ”mamma” did. In Italy people really take care about good looking and style and no, not all Italians use gel, spike their hair, dance like full etc.. Of course there are people that do all of the above, but in most cases they're considered quite ridiculous also in Italy.

It’s a really loud country and usually a proud Italian is someone that never leaved his country.

Outside Italy, Italians are super-nationalists and feel themselves like part of a big family. In Italy, however, Italians are far from being a compact population. North, center and south-Italians despise each other, and sometimes they also loathe people coming from nearby cities due to small and insignificant cultural differences.

And i’m sorry but it’s false that must of Italian men are spending the working day jumping on turtles, eating mushrooms, and saving princesses. They all don’t wear overalls, and can’t increase their productivity 10 fold if they jump to the top right corner of the screen in level 1-2 and get to the warp zone.

Etiquette & Customs in Italy

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 your project too - i.e. confidence, style, demeanour, 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. 
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 honours, and their telephone number.
Gift Giving Etiquette

Do not give chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals. Do not give red flowers as they indicate secrecy or yellow flowers as they indicate jealousy
. If you bring wine, make sure it is a good vintage. Quality, rather than quantity, is important and don’t wrap gifts in black, as is traditionally a mourning colour, or in purple, as it is a symbol of bad luck. Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

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, and 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 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 honoured 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, and if you do not want more wine, leave your wineglass 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. Demeanour 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 and 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.

Religion

Italy is a modern European state that is secular in its government and the traditional power once held by organised religion in Italy is declining. Today nearly one fifth of the population of Italy profess to be either Atheists or Agnostics, while much of the remainder of people in Italy who do profess a religion do not necessarily follow it that strictly. Nevertheless, in comparison to some other Western European countries religion is still very much ingrained in the culture of Italy.

Catholic Religion in Italy

Italy is the spiritual and administrative headquarters of the Catholic branch of the Christian religion. It was in Italy that Catholic theology first developed and the Pope, who is the official head of the Catholic religion, resides in the Vatican City in Italy. About 80% of people in Italy identify themselves as followers of the Catholic religion, although regular church attendees represent only between 30-40% of the population of Italy. Although secular practices have to a large degree penetrated in to the culture and customs of Italians, certain religious rights and observances are still observed quite faithfully. Every year there are several feasts and festivals that have their origins in the Christian religion. The majority of marriages in Italy still take place in a church and are administered by an official man of religion. First Holy Communion which is a right of passage for all young members of the Catholic religion is observed by the majority of people in Italy. Like other countries that follow the Catholic understanding of the Christian religion such as Spain, pilgrimage is very popular and every year thousands of pilgrims travel across Italy to some holy sight to seek blessings.

Other Christian Religions in Italy

While there are other denominations of the Christian religion represented in Italy, these are very small in number. Perhaps the most significant of these religions are the Jehovah Witnesses who number approximately half a million people. Other interpretations of the Christian religion in Italy include the Protestants.
Muslim religion in Italy
Today the Muslim religion is the second largest religion in Italy. The total number of followers of the Muslim religion in Italy currently stands at about 700,000. However, it should be noted that the majority of followers of the Muslim religion in Italy are either recent immigrants or second generation immigrants to Italy.

Let’s Learn Italian General Speaking

Good morning: Buon giorno
Good afternoon: Buon pomeriggio
Good evening: Buona sera
Good night: Buona notte
Hello: Salve
Good bye: Arrivederci
Goodbye(informal): Ciao
See you soon: A presto
See you later: A più tardi
See you tomorrow: A domani
Do you speak English?: Parla inglese?
I do not speak Italian: (Io) non parlo italiano.
I speak a little Italian: Parlo poco l’italiano.
Do you understand?: Lei capisce?
I understand: Capisco.
I don’t understand: Non capisco.
What did you say?: Che cosa ha detto?
Please speak slowly!: Per piacere parli lentamente.
Please repeat that: Ripeta per favore.
I want: Io voglio
I do not want: Io non lo voglio
Excuse me(to pass): Permesso
Where is it?: Dove si trova?
What does it mean?: Che cosa significa?
Sir: Signore
Madame: Signora
Miss: Signorina
I am sorry: Mi dispiace
Excuse me: Mi scusi
Thank you: Grazie
You are welcome: Prego
Maybe: Forse
Just a second: Un momento
Yes: Si
No: No
I would like: (Io)vorrei

At the restaurant

Do you know a good restaurant: Scusi, conosce un buon ristorante?
I would like to make reservation: Vorrei fare una prenotazione.
For tonight? For tomorrow night?: Per stasera? Per domain sera?
Waiter!: Cameriere!
A table for two in the corner.: Un tavolo per due nell’angolo, per favore.
A table for two on the terrace: Un tavolo per due sul terrazzo.
Please, a table near the window.: Per favore, un tavolo vicina alla finestra.
The menu, please.: Il menú, per favore.
I would like the fixed price menu.: Vorrei il menù a prezzo fisso.
What is today’s special?: Qual è il piatto del giorno?
What is the house specialty?:Qual è la specialità della casa?
Do you serve children’s portions?: Si servono porzioni per bambini?
What do you recommend?: Che cosa mi consiglia?
I would like to order now:Vorrei ordinare adesso.
I would like...: Vorrei...
Can you also bring us bread and butter?: Ci porta anche pane e burro?
Can you also bring us a fork: Ci porti anche una forchetta.
I would like the asparagus soup: Vorrei una crema di asparagi.
I like it: Mi piace.
I prefer...: Preferisco...
I am a vegetarian: Sono vegetariano(a).
I can’t eat...: Non posso mangiare...
Too spicy: Troppo piccante
Too salty: Troppo salato(a)

Sources:

www.kidport.com geography.about.com www.infoplease.com www.kwintessential.co.uk www. Wikipedia.it www.italia.it www.justitaly.org
www.lonelyplanet.com/Italy