Travel+to+Italy

<span style="color: #76923c; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 191; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msoasciithemefont: minor-latin; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msobidithemefont: minor-bidi; msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msofareastthemefont: minor-latin; msohansithemefont: minor-latin; msothemecolor: accent3; msothemeshade: 191;"> __**I**__ __** t a l y **__

Bailey:The People and Background Alex: Customs and Courtesies Jordan: Society **
 * //__Italy__//**
 * Matt: Lifestyle

__Italy’s Background and the People__ Background: -Land and Climate: Includes islands Sardinia and Sicily (116,305 square miles, 301,230 square kilometers) slightly larger than Arizona Natural Landscapes: -from alpine mountains in the north to the coastal lowlands in the south Po River Basin hold some of the richest farmlands and most if its heavy industry Southern agricultural are subject of drought The climate and temperature varies by region Winters are cold and rainy in the north, Rome is cool, and the southern is mild Southern summers are hot (up to 104oF and 40oC), rest of the country has been recently hot The People: -Population The population is about 58.1 million people, roughly -Language The official language differs from city to city Most of the youths speak English the second most popular language here -Religion Almost all Italians are Roman Catholic, but don’t participate on regular basis Italian Constitution guarantees freedom on religion -Personal Appearance They dress up for occasions very commonly as a stroll or visits anywhere


 * [[image:http://italy.centrofrayluis.com/media/italy_main.png]]





The Coloseum in Rome, Italy**

Courtesies and Customs
Greetings:
 * Milanese, Roman, Florentine, etc.).
 * 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”).
 * Close friends often greet each other by hugging or by kissing on both cheeks—or rather, by brushing cheeks as they kiss the air
 * In southern Italy, the kiss on both cheeks between men is reserved for family members.

Gestures:
 * Italins in the south are known for their use of hand gestures during conversation.
 * Men remove their hats when entering buildings.
 * Removing one's shoes in the presence of others is impolite.
 * Pulling down the lower eyelid with a finger is a way of acknowledging someone's cleverness

Visiting  Eating:
 * 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
 *  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.

At restaurants, the bill often includes a service charge, but leaving a small tip for the server is also appropriate.
 * 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.
 * Hosts appreciate compliments on the home and meal. Guests do not volunteer to help clean up.

Tagliatelle con Ragu alla Bolognese (Italian Food)

[] An Italian folk music station
 * Italian Lifestyle
 * Many parents will help their children buy a home or pay for an apartment—even if it means a large financial sacrifice.
 * Southern families are mostly larger.
 * Very wealthy families may own huge villas.
 * A man will normally not get married until he has a job and has finished education.
 * Most Italians baptize their kids as infants.
 * In Southern Italy, Funerals may be highly elaborate events.
 * On November 2, every year, families lay flowers and honor their lost loved ones.
 * Most Breakfasts consist of a coffee and a pastry.
 * For fun, Italians go to the beach, countryside, movies, dances, or sporting events.
 * Soccer is by far the most popular sport.

The Italian Weather Forecast For January 22, 2010