 Printer
FriendlyItalian Etiquette: Meetings
Like all cultures, the Italian culture has its own specificities and
susceptibilities that any visitor must learn before setting foot in
Italy. Italians place great importance on both individual and family
values, and their culture is a reflection of this. Meetings, whether
formal or informal, entail certain requirements that must be adhered to.
Italians are impressed by the first contact. If the first impression is
bad, it will probably last forever. Hence it is very important to make a
very good first impression. Learning good etiquette is a first step in
this direction. Certain dos and don’ts to be observed before and during
an Italian meeting are discussed in this article.
Before the Meeting
Setting up the meeting - for official meetings, you
should remember to respect office hours which are 8.30 AM to 1230 AM and
1530 to 1830 PM on weekdays and 830 to 1230 on Saturdays. Most
businesses are also closed for the month of August.
Dress well - Italians are very much impressed by the
appearance. A chic appearance confers an aura of respectability and
knowledgeableness. Thus, businessmen are often dressed in high fashion.
Avoid casual wear for business meetings and even private first meetings.
A nice appearance will earn you respect and make your visit smoother.
Timeliness - while being on time is not of very high priority
in Italy, this rule applies to Italians only! Foreigners make a better
impression if they are on time. Businessmen particularly benefit by
gaining respect in terms of seriousness with which they conduct their
business. However, do not expect your Italian counterpart to be on time!
Preparation - for formal business meetings, it pays to do your
homework. Coming unprepared for a meeting will only earn you the
reputation of being a sloppy businessman. If you are bringing materials
to the meeting, have them translated to Italian so that it can be shared
with everybody.
During the Meeting
Handshake and eye contact - a firm handshake is a good way to
greet your Italian counterparts. Be sure to maintain eye contact as this
indicates alertness and an interest in the proceedings of the meeting.
Avoid showing your back to anybody as this is considered to be very
rude. While Italians are very famous for their boisterous behavior, it
would be wise not to adopt the same ways in formal meetings.
Hugs and kisses - Italian men may hug you, and women may kiss
you on the cheeks. In such a case, please reciprocate. Do not pull back
as this may offend your hosts. However, it is wise not to initiate hugs
or kisses yourself, as such a behavior is normally between people who
know and trust each other. When an Italian hugs and kisses you, it
indicates that he now trusts you.
Follow seniority - when in a meeting with a group of people,
the proper etiquette is to introduce yourself to the most senior persons
first.
Use surnames and titles - avoid addressing someone by the
first name unless you have been given explicit permission for it,
otherwise it will be considered disrespectful. Use “signore” (mister) or
“signora” (madam) when addressing someone.
From: www.italianphrases.org.uk
|
