Italian family values are unique. The family is the centre of the social structure and provides a stabilizing influence for its members. In the north, generally only the nuclear family lives together, while in the south, the extended family often resides together in one house. The family provides both emotional and financial support for its members.

In Italy, appearances matter much. The way you dress can indicate your social status, your family background, and your education level. First impressions are lasting impressions in Italy. The concept of "bella figura" or good image is important to Italians. They unconsciously assess another person's age and social standing in the first few seconds of meeting them, often before any words are exchanged.

Clothes are important to Italians. They 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. Bella figura is more than dressing well. It extends to the aura you project too - i.e. confidence, style, demeanour, etc.

If you are invited to an Italian house: if an invitation says the dress is informal, wear stylish clothes that are still rather formal, i.e. jacket and tie for men and an elegant dress for women. Punctuality is not . You may arrive 15 minutes late if invited to dinner and up to 30 minutes late if invited to a party. If you are invited to a meal, bring a nicely wrapped gift such as wine or chocolate. If you are invited for dinner and want to send flowers, have them delivered that day.

意大利的家庭价值观很独特。 在意大利，家庭是社会结构的中心，对其家庭成员有着稳定的影响。 在北部，一般只有小家庭住在一起，而在南部， 整个大家庭通常都住在一起， 家人之间在感情上和经济上互相支持。

在意大利，外表相当重要。你的穿着代表了你的社会地位、家庭背景和受教育程度。在这里，第一印象是不可磨灭的。 意大利语中的“美形主义”或者美好形象，对意大利人来说至关重要。如果是与人初次会面，在说话前他们通常会下意识地迅速揣测对方的年龄和社会地位。

意大利人十分注重穿着。他们有着极其敏锐的时尚意识，总是通过外表来评价一个人。衣服、鞋子、配饰以及你搭配的方法都会成为他们评价你的依据。美好的形象可不仅仅意味着穿着得体，它还包括你所表现出来的气质：自信、品味、风度、举止等。

如果你受邀拜访一个意大利家庭，如果请柬上要求着装随意，你还是要穿时尚且非常正式的服装去，就是说男士要穿西服配领带，女士则应穿晚礼服。你无需准时到场，若被邀共进晚餐，可晚到15分钟；若要是参加聚会，则可晚到30分钟。如果是吃顿便饭，你可以带上包装精美的一瓶酒或是一盒巧克力。如果是赴宴，而你又想送花的话，就要让花店在当天送到。

unique adj. 独一无二的

assess vt. 评定

accessory n. 配件

mandatory adj. 强制性的

stabilizing adj. 稳定的

conscious adj. 有意的

punctuality n. 准时

Leif 要去意大利留学了，但他对那个国家的风俗习惯还不是很了解，于是找到了曾经在那边待过一年的叔叔Benjamin.

B = Benjamin 本 = 本杰明 L = Leif 利 = 利夫

B: Hi, Leif. I heard that you would go to Italy, really?

L: Yes. But I feel a little nervous. Because I'm not familiar with its folkways and customs. Maybe I will make some mistakes.

B: Don't worry. It's not so serious. Come on! I can tell you some of the most important ones, such as greeting, gift-giving and table manners.

L: It's very nice of you.

B: Greetings are enthusiastic yet rather formal. The usual handshake with direct eye contact and a smile suffices between strangers. 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.

L: A little different from ours. What about gift-giving?

B: Do not give red flowers as they indicate secrecy, and yellow flowers as they indicate jealousy. If you bring wine, make sure it is a good vintage. Quality, rather than quantity, is important. Also, gifts are usually opened when being received.

L: OK, I got it. Are the table manners the same with ours?

B: Almost. Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat. Follow the lead of the hostess - she sits at the table first, starts eating first, and is the first to get up at the end of the meal.

L: Now, I am a bit more steady and sure.

本：嗨，利夫。听说你要去意大利了，是真的吗？

利：是啊。可是我有一点儿不安，因为我对那里的风俗习惯不是很了解，也许会出一些差错。

本：不用担心。没那么严重的。来吧，我可以告诉你其中比较重要的几点，如问候、送礼和餐桌礼仪。

利：你真是太好了。

本：通常人们之间的问候是充满热情的，但也很正式。陌生人之间只要一般的握手，目光交流，再面带微笑就够了。一旦关系深化了，就会从左边开始亲吻两颊，男人们之间还经常在背上轻拍一下。

利：和我们的有些不同。送礼又该怎样呢？

本：不要送红色的花，因为红色的象征秘密，也不要送黄色的，因为黄色的象征妒忌。如果你送酒的话，一定要保证它是好酒。质量，而不是数量，是很重要的。而且，通常礼物要在接受时当场打开。

利：好，我记下了。他们的餐桌礼仪和我们的一样吗？

本：差不多吧。主人邀请你坐下，你才可以就座。你会被安排在一个特定的座位。跟着女主人的引导- 她最先坐下，最先开始吃，在就餐结束后也是最先站起来。

利：现在，我心里踏实多了。

enthusiastic adj. 热情的

secrecy n. 秘密

suffice vi. 满足

jealousy n. 忌妒

假设你刚从意大利探亲回来，有外国朋友问你那边的风俗。试着完成下面的对话。

1. 外国朋友： Do the Italian shake hands as greeting?

你：____________________________________

2. 外国朋友： Do they often give the wine as a gift?

你：_____________________________________

3. 外国朋友：What should you do when you start eating in other's house?

你：____________________________________

1. Not totally like this. Strangers shake hands, but friends often kiss on both cheeks.

2. Yes. But if you send wine, make sure it has good quality.

3. Remain standing until the hostess invites you, and follow the lead of the hostess.

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