School of Business and Economics

Department of Accountancy
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ITALY
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In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course
PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION (GE-PC)

Written Report of Group 5

(Pre-midterm Requirement)
__________________________________________________________________

Submitted by:
Group 5
Sanchez, Nicola Jerni C.
Sevilla, Lovelyn C.
Singuran, Johanna Grace V.
Suarez, Karl Anthony G.
Talens, John Rafael C.
Tan, Nenia Steffhanny T.
Tangcay, Rianne Marie C.
Uy, Marielle S.
Uy, Giselle L.
Group 5 (BSA - 1D): TTH 9:00am - 10:30am

Submitted to:
Ms. Londelyn Mendoza
GE - PC Instructor
 I. Brief Information About the Country
The country of Italy is a place full of rich culture and cuisine. In fact, most
would probably think about the classic pizza and pasta whenever it is mentioned.
Italy, or officially the Italian Republic, is a south-central European country whose
boot-shaped borders extend into the Mediterranean Sea (U.S. News, n.d.). It is
famous as a predominantly Christian country due to the Vatican City located in the
Capital of Italy, Rome. The nation is also home to a population of almost 60 million
people (U.S. News, n.d.). Most of those who live there speak Italian as it is the
national language. However, an additional 34 spoken languages and related dialects
also exist (RLI 365, 2020). The majority of these languages evolved from Vulgar Latin
including Sicilian, Neapolitan, Sardinian, and more (RLI 365, 2020).

II. Five Formal and Five Casual Terms or Expressions Used in Showing
Courtesy or Greeting People.
Greeting others or showing basic courtesy is something that all would always
end up learning without being formally taught. It can even be something that could
be learned just by watching others. Of course, different situations call for different
styles of conveying courtesy. In table 1.1 are five formal and casual terms or
expressions that many Italians use, as well as its respective English translations.

Formal Casual Translation

Salve Ciao Hello; Hi

Come sta? Come stai? How are you?

A domani! A domani! See you tomorrow!

Buona notte! Buona notte! Good night!

Arrivederla! Arrivederci! Goodbye!

Table 1.1: Five Formal and Five Casual Terms or Expressions Used in Showing
Courtesy or Greeting People
III. Communication Styles
It is crucial to understand differences in communication styles especially if they
come from different cultures and nationalities. It is critical, especially in Italy, to be
able to communicate using the appropriate vocabulary and gestures (Passport to
Trade 2.0, n.d.). Italians have mixed features in communicating. They are generally
quite open, inquisitive, and bold; however, they value hand gestures and personal
contacts which raises them to be a high context culture. Italian culture has the
collectivist perspective which gives emphasis on their social norms and emotions
(World Popular Review, 2022). The tone of voice, facial expressions, and body
language of Italians are more expressive, and they frequently use their hands to
emphasize their points (Evason, 2017). As a high context culture, Italians are
generally led by their emotions, and trust is crucial in building a successful business
connection (Passport to Trade 2.0, n.d.).
In Italian business culture, personal relationships are extremely important.
Because Italians prefer to work with people they know and trust, third-party
introductions can be beneficial. People should also meet face-to-face as much as
possible because this strengthens the personal relationship between partners.
Moreover, verbal agreements are generally followed because they are based on trust,
breaking them can put business relationships in jeopardy.
In terms of nonverbal communication in Italy, one can never go wrong with a
friendly eye contact and a firm handshake when greeting colleagues or potential
clients. Also, air kissing, which is common in Italy, may be used as a relationship
develops.

IV. Three Distinct Nonverbal Differences

Italy is known to be a country with a rich-gesture culture (Kendon,2004, as
cited in Lang, 2008). Italians are often recognized to express themselves in their
facial expressions, tone, gestures, etc. Enumerated are some of the distinct
nonverbal differences observed in Italy.
1. Italians usually keep a close distance, such as standing less than a meter away
from the person they converse with. Though this distinction may not be
detectable, there is a possibility that they might think that you are avoiding
 them if such distance is farther than what seemed normal (Cultural Atlas, n.d.).
Regardless of gender, the space among people in conversations usually has no
difference (Staley, 2014).
2. Hand gestures are common in Italy, for they are known to speak with their
hands. One example is rubbing one’s thumb against the fingers could indicate
money (Cultural Atlas, n.d.). Pressing your thumb and index finger while
drawing a straight horizontal line in the air could also mean “perfect” (Hales,
n.d.).
3. Italians start counting with their thumb instead of their index finger. The thumb
represents 1, and so on. (Staley, 2014).

V. Three Significant Social Differences

Social differences are those that are widely shared within certain cultures that
define its socially significant distinctions based on how a society is structured and
organized (Ridgeway, 1999). With that in mind, here are three significant differences
found in Italy:
● Concept of Time - In its social circumstances, punctuality is not as important.
In Italy, being on time can mean arriving 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or even 45
minutes late. Thus, it is normally acceptable to be arriving later than the
scheduled time (Scroope, 2019).
● Table Manners - Mixing different food courses is not a good option and may
sometimes be even considered as rude. When dining in Italy, one will most
certainly be offered many courses, and it is important to serve them separately
as it is unusual to serve a variety of items on a single platter (Scroope, 2019).
● Social Status - In Italian society, a person's appearance is very significant, and
a fashionable style is seen as an indication of one's social status. The way you
dress may indicate your standing in society, family background, and
educational attainment (Scroope, 2019).
In Italy, although knowing how to dress well with a strong fashion sense gives
a huge impact on leaving a good impression in a workplace (Marvin,2018), in terms
of work culture, their attitude in a workspace depends on where they belong in the
job title hierarchy and allocated responsibility. For example, in an Italian company,
the owner is discussing his future plans with the management, in the middle of the
discussion, the owner asked for the opinion of an employee in the room, the employee
would think twice before saying his piece even though he was given permission to
speak up, and when he does reply, he will choose his words carefully, control his
tone, and address them formally according to their position in the hierarchy in order
not to offend his superiors.

VI. Five Most Basic Do’s and Don'ts for First Time Visitors in Italy
Every country has certain unspoken rules that almost everyone follows. These
rules have less to do with legal enforcement and more to do with cultural background
and origins. In the Philippines, one must always perform the “Mano po” towards
elders to show respect. This has nothing to do with laws, but it is still followed to this
day due to its cultural value and implication. Similarly, Italy also has a few of these
unspoken rules. In table 1.2 are a few examples of them.

Do’s Don'ts

Do be conscious of how you dress Don’t try to say “ciao” when first
● Italians do judge other people meeting someone
based on how they dress, and ● “Ciao” is reserved for greeting
they can usually tell if you’re acquaintances & friends. (Livitaly
American and a tourist based on Tours, 2018)
how you dress and present
yourself. (Livitaly Tours, 2018)

Do remember to cover your knees & Don’t Speak Louder to Be

shoulders Understood
● Italy is still a very Catholic ● Speaking English at a higher
country and follows the rules of volume will not help the Italians
dressing modestly when it comes understand English any better.
to going to church, so you won’t English isn’t necessarily widely
be able to enter unless you’re spoken in Italy, so travelers
covered up. (Livitaly Tours, should learn a few key words of
 2018) Italian before arriving. Knowing
some Italian words like Hello,
Thank You, and You’re Welcome
will really open up the Italian
people. (Wolters World, 2018)

Do deliver sensitive news, feedback Don’t overtip

or information tactfully. ● Disconcerting truth: in Italy,
● Italians are generally quite open tipping is not mandatory. Waiters
and receptive to constructive in Italy generally make normal
criticism. However, don’t let this salaries, so they do not expect big
lead you to think they are tips from customers; this does not
immune to offense. (Cultural mean that these are not
Atlas, n.d) appreciated. (idealista.it, 2018)

Do allow concessions for friends Don't put cheese on a pasta that

where possible. contains fish or seafood
● Italians are generous with favors ● In Italy, this offense is
and are slightly less tight about comparable to high treason.
the use of their private property Italians have a very strong
when it comes to those they have relationship with food and
a good relationship with. extremely precise ideas about
(Cultural Atlas, n.d) what can and cannot be done.
This is one of the things that
should never be done.
(idealista.it, 2018)

Do use your hands to communicate. Don't wear shorts, tank top or flip-
● If you need information but don’t flops when visiting a church
speak the language, you can use ● In sacred places in Italy, one must
gestures to communicate. This be dressed appropriately, and it is
Italian stereotype is entirely not possible to enter with clothes
accurate. (Lucy, 2021) as if at the beach. Remember to
 bring a scarf or foulard for the
back and avoid shorts and
sandals. Even entering with a hat,
for a man, is considered
unseemly. (idealista.it, 2018)

Table 1.2: Five Most Basic Do’s and Don'ts for First Time Visitors in Italy
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