Italian’s, by nature, are very talkative. Emotions are expressed openly and reserving them can sometimes be misinterpreted as disinterest. It should not be surprising to notice that Italians generally interrupt one another during important business meetings, as this tends to be a very common means of communication in an Italian business setting. It is even common for them to outwardly and openly disagree with the message. If you are passionate about a business idea, it is good practice to express your emotions on the subject. Italian people also value a direct and straightforward communication style during a business transaction, so be candid when discussing business matters and your Italian counterpart will respect you for it.
Business attire is a sign of professionalism, but when Italians dress casually, it usually includes a jacket and tie for men and a simple but elegant suit or dress for women. (Communicaid Ltd.,2007). Shorts are not considered acceptable out in the public, and should never be worn in a business setting. Italians love to accessorize and Italian women are even known to wear more makeup then American women. Women do not wear revealing tops or sleeveless shirts and men almost always have a neck tie on, as image is one of the most important aspects of your professionalism. When dressed inappropriately you may convey the wrong message to your Italian counterpart. Generally, dress tends to be on the formal side for both men and women, whether in a business or social setting. It is not unusual for women to stop wearing nylons in the summer, as it tends to be very hot and humid. In Italy, Dressing well is a priority as it exudes professionalism and success, as well as competence as a business person.
One of the most important cultural aspects in Italy is family, by which I mean close relationships that are built on trustworthiness and loyalty. Italians put more faith in information given to them orally by somebody with whom they have a strong and trusting relationship with, then any information sent in writing from afar (Burgess, 2007). Building these relationships will require that you know something about the Italian culture, so knowing a few things that are acceptable and unacceptable conversation topics will aid you in gaining that trust. Refrain from talking about such things as religion, politics, and negative Italian stereotypes. Instead, converse about Italian architecture, sports, especially soccer, Italian food and wine, and Italian landscape. Knowing some current events could also lead to a great conversation. For Italian’s the connection in a relationship is involved in every decision made, and knowing about these connections and finding a way to utilize them is crucial to a successful foreign business relationship.
Although there are many women in the Italian workforce, the number of them holding positions of authority is minute. Women holding such positions tend to be in a more family-owned business, but Italy is slowly progressing to a more female managed work environment. Thankfully though, female managers from abroad will always be treated respectfully and courteously.
Specific gestures to avoid using are generally known throughout the world. These include the “finger”, and the “forearm jerk.” The chin flick, which involved brushing your fingers underneath your chin in an outward motion that signals “get lost, you are annoying me,” is also one to avoid. Italian people tend to be very animated when speaking, therefore, knowing some of these gestures will ensure that you do not offend or become offended. The kissing of the finger tips signifies something is beautiful and is a common gesture among Italians. Also, the “hand purse”, which is when the hand is held outward, palm up, with the thumb touching the curled fingers, emphasizes speech and punctuation (Axtell, 2007). Italians are very proud of their heritage and appreciate it when visitors show respect .
Be knowledgeable about the working practices in Italy. Be on time for meetings and appointments; yet, plan on waiting for some time before your meeting will begin. In the Italian culture, punctuality is not much of a priority (World Business Culture, ND). However, your being on time will show respect and reliability. Decisions tend to take a little longer than expected due to the legal system and bureaucracy of Italy, and be aware that most business’s are closed the month of August, so sending a correspondence in late July would probably result in an early September reply (Burgess, 2007). The business hours in Northern Italy, Central and Southern Italy slightly differ from one another, and the ideal time for conducting business meetings or planning appointments is between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. (World Business Culture, ND). Italians take extremely long breaks for lunch that can sometimes last for up to two hours, as business is often discussed during this time.
Italian business etiquette requires that personal and professional titles be used constantly, although it is becoming more common for business colleagues to refer to each other by name, but this is reserved more for larger Italian companies. The professional method of addressing your Italian counterpart would be to use their title, unless invited to use their name, and you should learn and use the titles of everyone that you expect to encounter (World Business Culture, ND).
A few terms that are essential to business practices in Italy are the following. Bella figura meaning beautiful figure, Italian’s place a great deal of importance when it comes to bella figura. Bella figura is the desire to make a good impression. Bella figura involves image, behavior and conveying a great message (Moran, Harris, and Moran, 2007). In contrast, brutta figura, meaning ugly figure involves being late, unprepared or giving an unattractive appearance. Another key term is la cordatta, meaning “rope” or “cord.” This is the practice of bringing friends and family into the company to form a network. Italians seek to be part of la cordatta in hopes of climbing the corporate ladder (Moran, ‘et al.).

Citations

Axtell, R.E. (2007). Essential do's and taboos. Hoboken, New Jersey:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc,
Burgess, H. (2007, October). Italy. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from Executive Planet Web site: http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Italy

Communicaid Ltd., (2007). Cross cultural training. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from
Communicaid Web site: http://www.communicaid.com/cross-cultural-training/culture-for-business-and- management/doing-business-in/Italian_business_culture.php

Moran, R.T., Harris, P.R., & Moran, S.V. (2007). Managing cultural differences.
Oxford, UK: Elsevier Inc...

World Business Culture, (ND). Italian communication styles. Retrieved May 24, 2009, from
WorldBusinessCulture.com Web site: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Italian-Business-
Communication-Style.html