Italian Style

The way you dress indicates your social status, family's background and education level. Italians are extremely fashion conscious and judge people on their appearance, you will be judged on your clothes, shoes, accessories and the way you carry yourself.

• Dressing well and your appearance matter in Italy.
• Men should wear dark colored, conservative business suits.
• Women should wear either business suits or conservative dresses.
• Elegant accessories are equally important to both men and women.
• Often before words are exchanged, they unconsciously assess another person's age and social standing in the first few seconds of meeting them.

Gift Giving

General Guidelines/Appreciated Gifts

• Refrain from giving a business gift until you receive one first.
• Gifts are usually opened at time they are received and given.
• Gifts are expected for social events, especially to express your thanks after you have been invited to a dinner party at a home.
• If you bring wine, make sure its a good vintage. A good wine or spirit from home could be an excellent choice as Italians are interested in learning about other countries.  
• Your gift should be a prestigious brand name that is at the same time small and not obviously expensive.

Gifts to Avoid

• Gifts showcasing your company's logo.
• Do not wrap gifts in purple, it is a symbol of bad luck.
• Do not wrap gifts in black, it is traditionally a mourning color.
• Do not give yellow flowers, they indicate jealously, red flowers indicate secrecy and chrysanthemums are used at funerals.

Etiquette tips and Values

Many Italian businesspeople place great value on first impressions. In the world of Italian business relations, practicing proper business etiquette is essential.

Here are some helpful tips for Italian business etiquette.

• Expect Italian colleagues to be demonstrative, talkative, and descriptive.
• Italians value personal relationships.
• Wear a few elegant accessories, this display of wealth translates to power in the business arena.
• Hire an Italian interpreter if you are not fluent in Italian, this will show respect for your Italian colleagues.
• Wait until invited to move to a first name basis.
• Once a relationship develops, air-kissing on both cheeks, starting with the left is often added as well as a pat on the back between men.
• The usual handshake with direct eye contact and a smile suffices between strangers.
• When meeting Italians for the first time, it is important that you demonstrate propriety and respect. Italians are guided by first impressions.

Many rules of Italian business etiquette are shaped by the values that they hold in high respect. Values that Italians honor include:

• Respect for authority
• Formality
• Certainty
• Loyalty
• Individuality
• Compassion