WE DO IT LIKE THIS…

• Usually, greetings in Italy consist of a firm handshake, direct eye contact and the appropriate greeting for the time of day (Buongiorno! Buonasera!).
• Initially, people address one another with Mr, Mrs or Ms (Signor, Signora, Signorina) followed by the surname. In order to make the address informal it is expected to ask for permission. Only friends and family address each other with first names.
• A typical wish of good luck in Italian is “In bocca al lupo!” (In the mouth of the wolf, literal translation), which is addressed to those who are going to have a difficult trial. The expected response is “Crepi (il lupo)!” (Snuff it (the wolf)!, literal translation) to those who express the wish. The most common interpretation derives from the language of the hunters as a phrase of good wishes of good luck to the hunters themselves.
• In public transportation, it is expected that younger people will give up a seat to the elderly or to a parent with a young child.
• Italians generally have breakfast with coffee or cappuccino, croissants and jam.
• Italians are famous for communicating in a very original way: the gestures are very strong.