An Italian Cultural Briefing
presented by Italian Social Welfare Organisation
The Italians……… A cultural antipasto
• The objபைடு நூலகம்ctive of this presentation is to provide you with some insight into what it means to be Italian, to assist you in providing culturally appropriate care to your Italian clients. • Other objectives - introduce you to ITSOWEL and the CPP project, develop relationships, broaden networks, meet and greet, chance to ask questions and engage. • What’s in it for the audience?
• This presentation is a “starter”only. It does not represent every Italian or every cultural identity. It is designed to wet the appetite for more Italian flavours. So sit back and enjoy just a “taste” and join us for the main meal soon.
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Italians tend to be highly expressive of joy, sadness and grief, both vocally and physically, with frequent use of gestures and touch
Still talking
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Older Italians prefer to be addressed in the polite form, using titles such as Signor and Signora followed by their first name Physical contact such as kissing on cheeks and hugging is common place and normal amongst many Italians, both males and females An Italian’s sense of personal space is much less than in many other cultures, and Italians will stand close to each other when talking
• National identity is weak among Italians with most identifying with their village or region • Italians are individualists who enjoy the company of others
The same but different
• Italians are generally a warm, friendly and exuberant people
• For Italians, the good life is having their health, family, serenity and financial security • Family is of prime importance
Today’s menu…
•Italians …. the same but different
•Let’s talk ….. not just “Italian” •My place …. my things
Buon appetito
•Religion …. Saints and superstitions •Food and the art of eating … a pleasure
Let’s talk
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Many older Italians speak regional dialects – Italian is effectively their second language
Senior Italians may have difficulty with printed information both in English and Italian due to their lack of formal education
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My place…my things
• Italians often describe themselves as coming from the North or South
Still the same but different
• Italians value education and loyalty, but are not too concerned about punctuality • Italians have a dislike of authority and regimentation, preferring an unstructured life
An example of this occurs when you put an Italian in a crowded place where a slight push or shove is not considered rude and queuing is not popular!!!