Customs and Traditions
Pedro Lastra. “Carnivale.” Photograph. Flickr. Web. 7 May 2013.
Carnevale is an important holiday for all of Italy held before Lent. People typically dress up in costumes or masks and participate in parades. Italy’s most famous Carnevale celebrations are held in Venice, where the streets are full of masquerading people.
The most popular sport is soccer, and children can be seen playing soccer everywhere.
A very popular motorbike is the Ducati – found in profusion across Italy.
Usually, Venetians stay in Venice during vacation time.
Men and women greet by shaking hands.
When a man or woman are introduced, the man slightly bows his head and waits for the woman to extend her hand first.
Close friends often greet by hugging or kissing both cheeks.
"Ciao,” meaning “hello” or “good-bye,” is a commonly used informal greeting.
Friends of the same gender often walk arm in arm in public.
Italians are known for using hand gestures to express their words.
Italians usually eat in the continental style. Italian families traditionally eat lunch together.
Italians spend a very long time cooking and cleaning up afterwards, and their dinners with guests can last from 1 to 4 hours.
Italians take great pride in their clothing, and dress up often to go out. Many people base their opinion of others upon how they dress. Italy is a major center of European fashion.
The main meals in Venice have 3 courses: pasta, fish, occasionally meat, and vegetables. In Venice, pasta or rice is a main staple. A simple salad is served with the second course.
Italian pizza is very different from American pizza, contrary to popular belief. It is generally thinner and less rich. Italians enjoy hundreds of cheeses, particularly mozzarella and parmesan.
The most popular sport is soccer, and children can be seen playing soccer everywhere.
A very popular motorbike is the Ducati – found in profusion across Italy.
Usually, Venetians stay in Venice during vacation time.
Men and women greet by shaking hands.
When a man or woman are introduced, the man slightly bows his head and waits for the woman to extend her hand first.
Close friends often greet by hugging or kissing both cheeks.
"Ciao,” meaning “hello” or “good-bye,” is a commonly used informal greeting.
Friends of the same gender often walk arm in arm in public.
Italians are known for using hand gestures to express their words.
Italians usually eat in the continental style. Italian families traditionally eat lunch together.
Italians spend a very long time cooking and cleaning up afterwards, and their dinners with guests can last from 1 to 4 hours.
Italians take great pride in their clothing, and dress up often to go out. Many people base their opinion of others upon how they dress. Italy is a major center of European fashion.
The main meals in Venice have 3 courses: pasta, fish, occasionally meat, and vegetables. In Venice, pasta or rice is a main staple. A simple salad is served with the second course.
Italian pizza is very different from American pizza, contrary to popular belief. It is generally thinner and less rich. Italians enjoy hundreds of cheeses, particularly mozzarella and parmesan.