I was looking up Italian culture because I can and need to so I can properly write Alex's character (+his cousin who I am introducing soon). Here are some things I have noted to help me better write Alex in the future!
•Basic Etiquette•
- It is common for Italian friends and families to kiss on the cheek when they meet, irrespective of their gender.
- It is impolite to remove one's shoes in front of others.
- Punctuality is not tight in social situations. In Italy, 'on time' can mean 20, 30 or even 45 minutes late.
•Visiting•
- Dinner guests often bring a gift of wine, chocolates or flowers.
- It is common for men to stand when a woman first enters a room. This is the same for children when an adult first enters a room.
- If you are visiting somebody's house just before dinner time, it is expected you will stay for the meal.
- Make sure to compliment the cleanliness and decor of someone's home. Italian women often take great pride in the appearance of their houses.
•Eating•
- Italians generally wait for their host to sit before they do so and wait for them to indicate it is time to eat.
- Guests are invited to start eating when the host or head of the table says "Buon appetito" (Enjoy your meal).
- If bread is on the table, try not to fill up on it before the main course begins. Use it to absorb the sauce at the end of the meal.
- It is improper to put one's hands on one's lap, or to stretch one's arms while at the table.
- Resting one's elbows on the table is also considered to be poor manners.
- Do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating.
- Drinking beverages other than water or wine with a meal is quite uncommon.
- It is generally impolite to eat whilst walking.
- Guests are not expected to help the host clean up after a meal.
- Breakfast is not a big meal in Italian culture and is sometimes skipped.
•Gift Giving•
- Gifts are often open in front of the giver when received.
- It is common for Italians to wrap gifts in decorative and beautiful wrapping. However, avoid wrapping a gift in black or purple. These colours symbolise mourning/grief and bad luck respectively.
- Avoid giving knives or scissors as gifts. These are considered bad luck.
- With the exception of alcohol, giving specialty foods from one's country may not be well received by your Italian counterpart.
- It is considered bad taste to clearly showcase how much was spent for a gift. Take care to remove or cover the sticker price.
- If giving flowers, be aware that chrysanthemums symbolise death and are used at funerals. Yellow flowers can indicate jealousy whilst red flowers may indicate love, passion or secrecy.
If I feel like it, maybe I'll make a chapter on Korean culture
