Meeting rules

Meeting rules in Rome: introduction, greetings and conversation

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Italian meeting rules are generally determined by the role you play in a social context, the people you meet – strangers, friends, relatives, bosses, colleagues – the place you attend, the event you take part in. Italians are famous for informal speech, hearty manners and waving their arms when speaking…Let’s consider ordinary Italian customs: how to greet, intorduce yourself and comunicate in everyday life.

Punctuality is a flexible matter in Italy: the further south you go less importance is placed on being on time. In Rome it is considered extremely common to be 10 minutes late at least…Anyway if you have a job meeting this is quite unfitting: for suggestions and details on business etiquette in Rome consult our article.

When you meet people for the first time you have to be introduced: in informal context your first name is sufficient, in formal ones full name is chosen. General information about where you live, who you are, what you do may be added or asked. When Italians greet someone they combine a handshake with “nice to meet you”. Kisses on the cheek – first to the left and then to the right – are given only after establishing a relationship. The same applies for embraces: you can embrace someone in everyday life, ceremonies, recurrences if there is familiarity.

While speaking Italian people stand close to one another, friends – both women and men – walk arm in arm when they are intimate, couples go hand in hand. People who look down when you are speaking with them are considered shy and direct eye contact is commonly recognized as a sign of interest and involvement.
Conversation can regard general topics such as food, wine, travels, soccer, cultural events. At the beginning it is advisable to avoid questions about family matters, private life and above all personal income as well as topics that do not concern or issues difficult to understand. It is customery to give address and reference number after having broken the ice.

At Christmas, Easter, and on the New Year’s Day Italians cheer by relatives and friends, by phone or a card.
Condolence, degrees or wedding telegrams are standard procedure even if simply acquaintances.

It is typical of Italian culture and style to abound with gestures: but don’t misunderstand, especially with women if a man exceeds he is classified as a “polyp” that is prone to touch…

If you are invited to stay by an Italian family remember that according to a saying a three-day stay is the maximum allowed in order not to disturb too. It is said that guests are like fishes: after three days they have a bad smell…Anyway at the end a gift to thank for the invitation is a must, especially if you have been invited for the first time or you are not intimate. To thank you can give a plant or flowers to the lady of the house, toys or games to children if any, or furnishings. You can also repay with a dinner or a pizza in a restaurant or extending an invitation.

If you need some advice about what to give and what to avoid with Italians glance at Italy gift giving!

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