I

ITALIANS,

WHAT A FUNNY CREATURES

For all the world Italy is the best example of "Bella Vita": arts & good cooking framed by wonderful views. But what about Italians? Are we still seen like Mafiosi or great lovers? To answer to these questions I have looked in the web for something that could help me. Surfing I have found a little guides that helps whoever to treat Italians.

The people

Italians are known for their sympathy and cordiality, especially for inhabitants of the South of Italy.

The family is the most important affiliation: we spent as much time as possible with our parents, who spoilt and fed us, even till 30 years old. But when we leave home, mother’s call is a nightmare: "How are you? Do you eat? Come to visit me!".

Italians are open, curious and tolerant of others’ uniqueness and manners. We will tolerate lateness, inefficiency and sincere mistakes, but dislike arrogance and rudeness.

We enjoy a lot good humor and we can be self-deprecating.

Italians are best known for their body language, that is a particular feature from all the other European people.

At the first meeting is well-mannered to shake hands and introduce ourselves to men, women and children, also when leaving. I think this occurs in all Western Countries.

Italians shake hands and kiss on both cheeks each other friends and relatives.

In my region, friends usually give one or three kisses on both cheeks, however odd numbers.

In my opinion, this will be the funniest part for someone. In the web, an expert has written the most important rules to observe at the Italian table. You can find my remarks under each of them.

-When invited to a home, guests arrive 15 to 30 minutes after the stated time.

It isn’t true, but it can be an excuse to hide that we are always late

- Eat fruit with a fruit knife and fork, except for grapes and cherries.

How can you eat bananas with fork and knife? This is only a rule of etiquette.

-Keep your wineglass almost full if you don't want a refill.

True!!! But somebody do it on purpose!

-When finished eating, place knife and fork (tines up) side by side on the plate at the 5:25 position. The fork should be on the left and the knife should be on the right with the blade of the knife facing the fork.

What? I didn’t know about "5:25 position", but I know that fork and knife cross on the plate means that you have finished to eat and a rub napkin means that you have appreciated the meal.

-Burping is considered extremely vulgar.

Yes, it is true. But it become funny among male friends for a burping contest!

It’s true. If you have a dinner with some friends and you hear to pay "alla romana", it means that the bill is divided by the number of fellow-guests.

It’s indifferent how you eat pasta, just eat it!

The Italians are generally not inhibited when interacting with the opposite sex. Flirtation is part of the spirit of life in Italy.

We put passion in whatever and with whoever. When we like a person we become attentive and really kind. So our behaviors can be often misunderstood, but we haven’t other purposes with most of our relationships.

Foreign people, coming especially from the North of Europe, claim we are dangerous drivers.

There is a reason for this opinion. Generally in the other countries of our continent there are hard punishments and sanctions laid down by the highway code. In Italy restrictions are moderate, and anyway Italians try to find a way to escape rules.

So somebody consider us foxy and tricksters. In reality our behavior isn’t ruled by bad thoughts, it’s our survival instinct that helps us to always get out of trouble.

It was very difficult for us to familiarize to computer, but not with mobile phones the situation has improved. Now mobile phones are extremely important for us, anyone in Italy has at least one, even since 8 years old.

written by : Eleonora Palmieri ( free5@itcgbianchi.it )

HTML by: David Broad .