Career
Abroad is the ideal guide to facts on work culture abroad. Do's
and don'ts on etiquette, work ethics and conversational pleasantries,
find them all here.
ITALY
GREETINGS
• Use "Signore" (Mr.)
and "Signora" (Mrs.), plus the family name, when introduced
to strangers
• Do not use first names until
you are invited to do so
• Between executives and subordinates,
first names are not used in Italian business culture
• A male university graduate
is given the title of "Dottore", while the female equivalent
is "Dottoressa." Even if you're only assuming a person
is a graduate, it's usually appreciated if you use this title,
as it confers respect
• Italian business etiquette
requires that personal and professional titles be used constantly,
whether in casual conversation or formal writing
• If you have to summon a server
or clerk, you may use the phrase "senta", which means,
generally, "please come here.”
PUNCTUALITY
ALERTS!
• Familiarity is important in
Italian business culture, ensure that you find a well-connected
contact that can establish the right introductions on your behalf
• Italians are not very punctual.
However, as a visitor, you must arrive on time. Be prepared to
wait 15-45 minutes before your Italian counterpart appears.
• Northern business hours are
usually 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday. Also, a lot of businesses are open Saturday mornings
• In central and southern Italy,
business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. then 4:30 p.m.
or 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,
and 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday. The southern business pace
is usually less intense
• In many cities, such as Rome,
there is a long break lasting as long as two hours, from 1:30
p.m.-3:30 p.m. Business is often discussed during this break,
over lunch
• Generally, the best times
to plan appointments are between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and
after 3:00 p.m
• Summer vacation periods are
between August and September, avoid any appointments during this
period. If you write for an appointment in mid-July, you may not
receive a satisfactory reply until September
CONVERSATION
WITH ITALIANS
Talk about:
- Italian architecture
- Italian art and films
- Sports, especially soccer
- Italian food and wine
- The Italian landscape
- Opera
- Praising the hospitality you're receiving
- Current events
Don’t
talk about:
- Religion/the Vatican and its policies
- Politics
- Taxes
- The Mafia
- World War II
- Criticizing Italian culture, even if your Italian counterparts
are doing so
- Questions about private family concerns
- Italian stereotypes
ITALIAN
DRESSING
• Dress tends to be on the formal
side for both men and women, whether in business or social situations
• Men wear sophisticated ties
with well-cut dark suits
• Their accessories include
cuff links, tie clips, and stylish watches
• Choose only quality fabrics,
such as lightweight wools and silks
• Women are advised to dress
simply and with elegance
• Darker, subdued shades are
preferred
• Shorts are unacceptable in
public
BUSINESS
ATTITUDE
• Italians generally prefer
to do business with only the most important people in any organization
• The use of business cards
is common and you should have your card translated into Italian
on the reverse side
• Ensure that any advanced educational
degrees and your full title or position are featured on both sides
of your business card
• Present a warm, dignified
demeanour during the meeting
• Bring a carefully planned,
logically organized proposal to the meeting
• All presentation materials
and packaging should be aesthetically pleasing
• Hierarchy is key, especially
in larger traditional Italian businesses
• There is tremendous respect
for power, as well as age
• In Italian business culture,
most decisions are made in “closed quarters” by various
people, not just the highest figure in authority.
BUSINESS
ENTERTAINMENT
• Don't refuse an invitation
to dining in a restaurant because Italian hospitality plays an
important role in business life
• Don't drink too much since
Italians consider wine as a food to be sipped
• Ask your Italian client's
secretary to suggest a favourite restaurant
• When dining, keep both hands
above the table, not one resting on the lap. · Use your
knife to pick up cheese, and don't eat any fruit except grapes
or cherries with your hand
• The most common toast is "salute"
(to your health), or, more informally, "cin-cin.”
• White wine (bianco) is typically
served with appetizers or fish, while red wine (Rosa) usually
accompanies appetizers and meats. A sweeter wine may be served
with dessert
• The most honoured position
is at the middle of each side of the table, with the individual
of the greatest importance seated to the immediate right of the
host
GESTURES
• A sign of defiance and/or
derision is stroking your fingertips under your chin and thrusting
them forward
• Holding your hand palm down
with the index and little fingers straight out, and the others
curved inward, symbolized the devil's horns, and the message is
to ward off evil. If the same gesture is done with the fingers
pointing upward, it is an obscene message
GIFT-GIVING
• Business gifts are sometimes
given at a senior managerial level
• Gifts like liquors or delicacies,
or crafts from the visitor's country are appropriate. Don't give
gifts that are obviously a vehicle for your company's logo
• If you are invited to someone's
home, bring gift-wrapped chocolates, pastries or flowers
• Never give an even number
of flowers. Don't give chrysanthemums since they are used for
funerals. Don't give a brooch, handkerchiefs, or knives since
they connote sadness.
