“WHEN IN ITALY, DO AS THE ITALIANS DO”

LESSON N.2: Business Paolo Donati

Ciao! My name is Matteo and today I will try to drive you through some small tips you might use in order to handle your next business visit in Italy.

Before introducing yourself…

In the very first steps of a business relationship expect a certain emphasis on formality. Remember that Italians will value your business knowledge but they also usually notice and evaluate you by the way you dress: in Italy consider as a rule that generally talking also “the eyes do eat”: From this derives also another rule: always properly handle good manners (“Bot Ton” or “galateo”): to be rude in manners with everyone (from the waiter to the driver) is not a sign of higher status ranking!

For young generations “old stile” formality frequently shifts to informal approach & business casual especially among coworkers even if (at early stages) it’s still maintained between managers and

subordinates. In the public sector and between high professionals formality is still nowadays key and often associated to “status” ranking.

Introducing yourself: 5 rules…

1. Be polite, discreet and formal 2. Respect body distance (1 arm ca) and gentle eye contact3. Proper hygiene (as usual don’t touch your body, nose, mouth etc. before shaking hands!)4. Gently shake hands not too long. Shake hands also when leaving. No bowing. No kisses: eventually this is usual only between friends and that it is usual to “air kiss” both left & right cheeks5. Italian culture is pretty hierarchical especially in public sector: therefore be careful to use appropriate names and titles (see next slide)

Buongiorno dott.Rossi, tutto bene?

Address business colleagues with family names preceded by Signor (Mr.), Signora (Mrs.) or Signorina (Miss).

Use titles and last names until your Italian colleague invites you to use his first name.

The title Dottore (Doctor) is either given to an individual with 5y university BSC/MSC degree (Dott.) either to physicians (Dr.).

Other professional titles followed by last name:- ingegner (engineer) both for male/female- avvocato (lawyer) both for male/female Titles are easily

found also in business cards (Dott./Ing./Avv./…)

WORKING TIMEItalians usually work from 8.30 /9.00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday with an hour for lunch. Generally avoid to organise meetings in August (usual summer / “Ferragosto” holiday time).

Titles to use when addressing people

Salve John, complimenti per il suo italiano ;))

When boarding on a plane or arriving in a hotel reception you can also say the neutral

“SALVE”.

Leaving someone with formal “arrivederci” (“see you”) or “a presto” (“see you soon”) is still fine!

IMPORTANT!In the Italian formal

language remember that there’s no neutral “you” but a rigid 3rd person singular

“Lei” (the same of the German “Sie” or the French

“Vous”).

That’s why…

“CIAO” IS ONLY FOR FRIENDS!

TAXI: always take white regular taxi and don’t pay any tip other than the sum displayed in the taximeter. If the driver starts arguing tell him you will phone to his own call center

From/to (hh)Buongiorno 6,00 / 17,30Buonasera 18 / 20

From/to (hh)Buon pomeriggio 13,00 / 17,30

Buonanotte when going to bed

BuongiornoBuonasera

Buon pomeriggioBuonanotte

From/to (hh)Buongiorno 6,00 / 17,30Buonasera 18 / 20

From/to (hh)Buon pomeriggio 13,00 / 17,30

Buonanotte when going to bed

optional

Meetings

Punctuality and meeting schedule: it is appropriate to arrive punctually at meetings. Anyway it is tolerated a 10/15 min delay without phone notice (but after that limit better to notice your counterpart). Beware that usually there are no strict meeting timelines since time is something flexible…

Therefore be prepared also to not always full-structured agenda: Italian meetings are relationship-minded and not dominated by fixed agenda and “early-booking”. Expect also sudden changes!

Interrupting a speaker in meetings is often tolerated to allow the introduction of new elements as soon as they get along.

Often several people may speak simultaneously thus creating “micromeetings”.

It is not unusual to hear mobile rings during meetings or public conferences even if most mobiles are generally switched to “silent” mode…

TIP: to finish a talk / a meeting simply say a long emphasized “va bene” (= “all ok, alles klaar, allez...”)

Small TalkingAppropriate topicsDiscussing about the latest football (soccer) event is still particularly dear to Italians and perhaps less controversial than politics (only between Italians). Try to find out your counterparts' favorite sport team and stay informed about recent game results looking eg to http://www.gazzetta.it/. Other popular topics that can be used to small talk include weather, weekends, family, Italian culture, cooking, sport F1 cars, travel and books. The most popular newspapers you can try to follow are: www.corriere.it and www.repubblica.it

Inappropriate topics Avoid criticizing any aspect of Italian culture or speaking about politics, corruption, religion and Mafia.

Remember that 17 is the Italian doomed number

Eating

“La colazione” (breakfast) is usually around 8 am and consists of hot drink (coffee usually) or orange juice etc + biscuits/croissant (“brioche” in Italian), fruit, bread, butter, jam. Normally business is not made during breakfast. Normal price for small breakfast made of Espresso and croissant (not seated / at the bar) is of 5 Euro.

“Il pranzo” (lunch) starts around 13,00 and often lasts 1 hour. In company premises it is usual to have canteen (“Mensa”).

“Cena” (dinner) is eaten usually after 19,00 but business can start as late as 20/21,00.

It is normal to say “Buon appetito” (enjoy the meal). Burping or removing shoes in public is vulgar!

Common toasts are “Salute” or “Cincin”.

As a normal rule the host pays the bill.

Tip are already included in the bill as “coperto” but it is up to the host to add some extra 10% little money. Credit cards are used but often not for sums which are less than 5 Euro.

TIP: remember that locally produced fresh food is always highly appreciated by the Italians!

FOR MORE: http://www.slideshare.net/PaoloDonati1/in-italy-do-as-italians-do-how-to

BUSINESS AND COFFEE: THE PERFECT COMBINATION!