Notable traditional patronal festivals in Italy are the Feast of Saints Francis and Catherine, the Festival of Saint Agatha, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the Feast of San Gennaro and the Feast of Our Lady of the Hens.
Italian lifestyle is largely imitated all over the world. It is made up of small and big habits that create a peculiar and sought-after image. Italians value and celebrate all aspects of life, such as spending time with family and friends, eating and drinking well, and enjoying beauty in all its forms.
The famous elements of Italian culture are its art, music, cinema, style, and iconic food. Italy was the birthplace of opera, and for generations the language of opera was Italian, irrespective of the nationality of the composer.
The most common Italian stereotypes include a love of pasta, expressive hand gestures, love of family, passion for football, that Italians have a passion for coffee, the opera, and Dante's Divine Comedy.
Values, Lifestyle, & Language
Italians seem to have developed an excellent balance between innovation and tradition, and between work and leisure, and they are often perceived as a cheerful and passionate people.
The Italian culture is commonly associated with art, music and food. It is the homeland of the Roman Empire, the Roman Catholic Church and the main center of the Renaissance, which flourished through Europe for centuries.
Italy is famous for the Renaissance and the incredible artists it produced. Italy is famous for its tourism, its art cities and unique scenery. Italy is also known for its language, its opera, its fashion and its luxury brands. It is also known for its football team!
Basic Etiquette
It is common for Italian friends and families to kiss on the cheek when they meet, irrespective of their gender. Stand up out of respect when an older person enters the room. It is important to dress neatly and respectfully. Cover your mouth when yawning or sneezing.
Family Culture
Italians are extremely family-oriented, and it is common to live with extended family such as grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins. And if you do not live directly in the same household as your extended family, then they are no more than a walking distance from you or a 5 minute drive.
Young Italians meet friends on a daily basis, often in the cities' piazzas in the evenings, making frequent trips to bars, cinemas, pizzerias, and discos.
Italian family life can be characterized by loyalty and closeness. From the immediate, nuclear family to more extended relatives, Italians tend to remain as a close unit through several generations.
In addition to a rich history, Italian culture consistently leads the way in style and fashion. The world's best gelato, rich home-cooked meals, remnants of the Roman Empire, snow-capped Alps, or picturesque coastal towns on the Adriatic Sea help Italians truly live la dolce vita (the sweet life).
While men and women have equal rights in law, society is still largely male-dominated. Within the family dynamic, the man is usually the patriarch and considered the primary income earner. Traditionally, a woman was expected to fulfil roles of matrimony and motherhood.
Italian people features stereotypically include olive skin, dark eyes, and a pointed nose. Of course, Italy is a diversifying country, meaning these stereotypes are being diluted over time. Living in a country with a rich and colorful history has made the Italians a unique and interesting bunch.
Love and attachment to people, to nature, art, culture and to work ennobles and energises the best of Italy.
The common verbal greeting is “Ciao” (Hello). This is quite casual. People may also say “Buongiorno” (Good day) or “Buonasera” (Good evening) to be more formal. Address a person by their title and last name, and continue to do so until invited to move to a first-name basis.
Try to find any family documents, such as birth certificates or immigration papers. If you're an American-Italian, the Ellis Island records might help. Try to find your ancestral hometown in Italy, many of the secrets of the past may be buried there. Look for historical census information.
Still, Italian mothers are a force to be reckoned with. They treat cultural traditions with reverence and show their love with bountiful family meals. They can be fiercely protective of their children, and especially over their sons, who tend to live at home much longer than in other countries.
They are friendly, hospitable, generous, intelligent, good humoured, gentle, well-dressed, tasteful, and family oriented. And they don't get drunk and vulgar. There are also many other positive characteristics too.
"Traveling" and "Reading" are the top 2 answers among Italian consumers in our survey on the subject of "Most popular hobbies & activities". The survey was conducted online among 12,181 respondents in Italy, in 2022.