contents

About the Author

Map of Italy

Introduction

Chapter 1: LAND AND PEOPLE

• Climate and Weather

• Regions and Cities

• A Brief History

• Postwar Italy

• Economic Life

Chapter 2: VALUES AND ATTITUDES

• Family First

• Feelings and Emotions

• Bella Figura

• Order and Hierarchy

• Relationships

• Campanilismo and the Piazza

• Bureaucracy–The Fourth Estate

• Being Furbo

Chapter 3: FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS

• Main Italian Public Holidays

• The Festive Year

• Annual Vacations

• Local Holidays

• Carnevale

• The Palio

• Behavior in Church

• Superstition

Chapter 4: MAKING FRIENDS

• Esterofilia

• Close-Knit Circles

• Commitments

• Invitations

• Gift Giving

• Social Clubs

• Bars and Nightlife

Chapter 5: DAILY LIFE

• Military Service and the Armed Forces

• Finding a Job

• Money and Banking

• Keeping Healthy

Chapter 6: TIME OUT

• Eating and Drinking

• Outdoor Life

• Football as a Way of Life

• Seeing the Sights

• Museums and Art Galleries

• Music and Theater

Chapter 7: GETTING AROUND

• Air Travel and Entry to Italy

• Police Registration

• The Ubiquitous Bollo

• Public and Private Transport

Chapter 8: BUSINESS BRIEFING

• Business in Italy

• Company Structure and Organization

• Company Finance and Corporate Governance

• Labor Relations

• Decision-Making

• Teamworking

• The Overall Language of Management

• Feedback and Managing Disagreement

• Communication Styles

• Making Contact

• Business Hours

• Preparing For Your Visit

• The First Meeting

• Making a Presentation

• Meetings and Negotiating Skills

• Business Entertaining

Chapter 9: COMMUNICATING

• Language Skills

• The Postal Service

• Conversazione

• Gender Issues

Further Reading

Acknowledgments