| Customs and Courtesies |
| Gestures |
| Greetings |
| Visiting |
| Eating |
| information on international gestures |
| sicilian gesture language |
| Italian hand gesture picture dictionary |
| The Italian language is so rich with gestures, that you could miss half the conversation if you aren't familiar with them. For example, a finger placed under the eye and pulled down slightly means beautiful. Fingers put to the mouth and pulled away with a kissing motion expresses great pleasure. The links below provide information and pictures of gestures. |
| The Italians like to eat at home. They don't like fast food. They prefer to make simply prepared meals, with fresh, natural ingredients. They generally eat a mediterranean diet.Food is prepared in the kitchen, and, according to domestic and informal tradition, good should be eaten in the same room you prepare it in. The kitchen is a place for family sociality, and gathering around the table. It is a place for relaxation. Most businesses are closed from one until four, which allows the Italians to take a leisurely lunch. In 2000, 75% of Italians ate lunch at home. This is including employees, as well as students, and retirees. Pasta or risotto is generally eaten as a first course, and wine is usually drunk with the meal to bring out the flavor and improve digestion. |
| Ciao is the informal greeting used for nearly everybody. |
| Travel |
| The Italians like to travel, and they still prefer the system of making last-minute trips without booking beforehand. About 85% of the travel is for pleasure, and less than 15% is travel for work. About 85% of their travel is done within national boundaries, 11% to Europe, and only 4% beyond Europe. |