Culture of Italy
Historical Background
Much of the West’s civilization and culture stems from the Italian Peninsula. The area’s history dates back several thousand years; one of the first civilizations to flourish was that of the Etruscans between the eighth and second centuries BC. The Etruscans influenced mostly central Italy and later the Roman Empire. Before the Romans became prominent, Greek civilization dominated the south. Rome later adopted much of the Greek culture and became a major power after 300 BC, as it expanded throughout the Mediterranean region. By the fifth century AD, the Western Roman Empire had fallen to a number of invasions. The peninsula was then divided into several separate political regions. In addition to local rulers, French, Spanish, and Austrian leaders governed various parts of Italy. The Italian Peninsula was the center of many artistic, cultural, and architectural revolutions, including the great Renaissance of the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Italian unification movement, which was known as Risorgimento, began in the 1800s. The first Italian Parliament in Turin declared national unification in 1861 and named Victor Emmanuel II king. The inclusion of Rome in 1870 completed unification.
Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini ruled the country from 1922 to 1943 and initially aided Adolf Hitler in World War II. In 1943, the Italian government overthrew the fascists, and the country lent its support to the Allies. Italy established itself as a republic in the 1946 elections, officially abolishing the monarchy by national referendum. Political violence and terrorism marked the 1970s. Conflicts within the coalition governments led to frequent government collapses during the 1980s.
Elections in April 1992 hurt the ruling coalition but failed to bring a strong government to power. The proportional system of voting, originally designed to prevent totalitarianism, was blamed for consistently bringing weak coalitions to power. On its 16th vote in 1992, Parliament finally chose Oscar Luigi Scalfaro as president. The country was soon rocked by dozens of political scandals. Numerous top officials resigned, including the prime minister, and charges of past corruption became even more widespread. By 1994, six thousand individuals were under investigation for corruption.
Political instability in Italy has continued, with more than 57 successive governments since World War II. Attempts to stabilize the country’s tricky coalition politics have been largely unsuccessful. Silvio Berlusconi, who was elected in 2001, served the longest term as prime minister since Italy became a republic in 1946. He was replaced by opposition leader Romano Prodi in 2006. Italy continues to face ongoing problems such as illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, and the economic disparity between southern Italy and the more prosperous north.
General Attitudes
Because of improved economic and social conditions in southern regions and the influence of the media, differences between northern and southern Italians are diminishing. However, Italians still refer to one another by their city of origin (Milanese, Roman, Florentine, etc.) and some regional attitudes remain. Adopting practices of their German and Austrian neighbors, people in the industrialized north traditionally value punctuality, reliability, organization, and economic success. They often are less relaxed and view time as a resource not to be wasted. They take pride in having a low tolerance for criminality and public corruption. Southerners are appreciated for their warm character and friendliness. They enjoy a leisurely life and take their time doing business. Family values prevail in the south and are often more appreciated than economic success.
Regional economic differences have led to tensions within the country. Many in the more prosperous north feel they are too heavily taxed to subsidize special projects in the south. Those in the south often resent the higher incomes and better employment rates of the north. Political movements calling for more regional autonomy in a federal system have gained some momentum, particularly in the north. However, most Italians still oppose a political separation.
Italians consider social interaction very important; they try not to miss social events such as parties and celebrations. People desire a good reputation in their social circle and seek approval from their peers. Often the ability to influence others is associated with how well one can accommodate different interests or points of view. Humor, agreeability, reliability, and success in business and social life are regarded more favorably than individual assertiveness. Italians value their health, family, serenity, and financial security.
Greetings
Men and women greet each other by with a handshake. When in groups, Italians avoid crossing other people’s handshakes. If a person’s hand is dirty, he or she may offer a forearm, a finger, or a simple apology instead. When a man and a woman are introduced to each other, the man bows his head slightly and waits for the woman to extend her hand first. Close friends often greet each other by hugging or by kissing on both cheeks—or rather, by brushing cheeks as they kiss the air. Except in southern Italy, the kiss on both cheeks between men is reserved for family members. Friends and family members say Ciao (“Hi” or “Good-bye”) as an informal greeting. More formal terms include Buongiorno (Good day) and Buonasera (“Good afternoon” or “Good evening”). Friends of the same gender often walk arm in arm in public.
Gestures
Italians, especially those in the south, are known for their use of hand gestures during conversation. In fact, they often communicate with their hands instead of words. A common gesture is rubbing the thumb rapidly against the fingers to indicate “money.” Pulling down the lower eyelid with a finger is a way of acknowledging someone’s cleverness. In some areas of the south, a person might indicate “no” by nodding the head upward. Italian gestures are so numerous that foreigners sometimes find gesture dictionaries useful. Men remove their hats when entering buildings. Removing one’s shoes in the presence of others is impolite. One covers the mouth when yawning or sneezing.
Visiting
Italians value long friendships and enjoy visiting one another, especially on holidays and Sundays. Busy schedules in urban areas require that most visits be planned. In villages, people are used to unannounced visits by friends and neighbors. Hosts might offer their guests coffee, cake, ice cream, or drinks. Dinner guests often bring a bottle of good wine, a box of chocolates, or flowers (in odd numbers) as a gift for the hosts.
In the south, guests often wait for the hosts to sit before they are seated and to begin eating before they eat. At the end of the meal, southern guests may leave some food on the plate if they have been served large portions. Guests wait for the host to offer second or third helpings. If visiting before supper, guests generally are expected to stay for the meal. Not staying may be considered impolite, especially in the south. In the evening before supper or on holidays, Italians enjoy taking a walk in town.
Eating
Italians usually eat in the continental style, with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right. Hands are kept above the table; placing them in the lap is improper. When finished eating, a person places the utensils parallel on the plate. One does not leave the table until everyone has finished.
Although Italian families traditionally eat lunch together, this custom is becoming less common, especially in large cities. Most families at least try to get together for supper (often around 7 or 8 p.m. in the north and 8:30 or 9:30 p.m. in the south). When eating with guests, Italians usually do not hurry; a meal may last one to four hours. Regular family meals are much shorter. Dinner conversation often includes soccer, politics, family matters, business, and local events. Hosts appreciate compliments on the home and meal. Guests do not volunteer to help clean up. At restaurants, the bill often includes a service charge, but leaving a small tip for the server is also appropriate.
Family
Italians enjoy strong family ties, and when being together or helping each other is possible, they honor their family obligations. Parents are willing to offer financial assistance to their adult children, when necessary. Many parents will help their children buy a home or pay for an apartment— even if it means significant financial sacrifice. Young Italians seek to be economically independent of the family, although high unemployment rates in the south complicate matters. Grandparents frequently help with child care. Single adult children tend to live with their parents, even into their thirties. Most families in the north live as nuclear units, and the average family has one or two children. Southern families are traditionally larger, and many generations often live in the same house or town. Extended families throughout the country get together often and frequently live near each other, although there is some indication that this custom is changing.
Personal Appearance
Italians take pride in their appearance and tend to dress up for occasions as common as an evening stroll or a casual visit. Italians seldom wear dirty, worn, or sloppy clothing. Although attitudes vary among the younger generation, many people base their opinions of others on how they dress. In many cities, clothing and shoe shops are more plentiful than bakeries. Italy is a major center of the European fashion industry. Youths throughout the country follow the latest fashion trends, often wearing expensive, brand-name clothing. Older women generally wear dresses. It is becoming more common to see people of all ages wearing casual shoes such as sneakers, while young people often wear jeans.
