2. CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION Cross-cultural communication is a field of study that looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds communicate, in similar and different ways among themselves , and how they endeavor to communicate across cultures.
3. Wherever business takes you, learning the culture, etiquette and protocol of the host country is a key step to success.
4. ITALIAN CULTURE Italy is no exception. Just as you would prepare your presentation before a big meeting, it's important to prepare yourself by understanding the Italian customs, protocol and etiquette in a business setting.
5. CONTD… Because Italy is a highly individualistic society, one that emphasizes family ties and individual responsibility, Italians generally prefer doing business with someone they know or have been introduced to. Try to avoid scheduling meetings in August as this is a hectic time for businesses due to their employees taking time off for the summer holidays.
6. Aspects to be considered in CCC Kinesics Occulesics Haptics Proxemics Chronemics Chromatics Olefactics Gifts
8. KINESICS Kinesics is the interpretation of body language such as facial expressions and gestures — or, more formally, non-verbal behavior related to movement, either of any part of the body or the body as a whole.
9. Kinesics in Italian Culture Long handshakes. In greeting, warm hugs and kisses are common. Italians use body language and hand gestures to punctuate an expression and give it a shading that the word or phrase itself lacks.
10. The Italian hand gestures illustrated here are some of the more common gestures that are recognized in the country. Andiamoa dormire. English translation: Let's go to sleep.
11. C'èda fare o no?... Yes or no? Mi dà un passaggio? Can you give me a ride?
12. OCCULESICS Oculesics is the way eyes are used during a communication exchange. This may include eye contact or the avoidance of eye contact, but it may also include all other eye movements, such as looking onto other body parts of the other person. Occulesicmovements are also frequently associated to kinesic movements.
13. OCCULESICS IN ITALIAN CULTURE Eye contact and the amount and length of eye contact may be confusing. For example, many United States women feel insulted and embarrassed at being looked at for, in their view, a prolonged period by Italian and French men. Conversely, Italian and French females may perceive United States men as cold because of their relatively short eye contact with females.
14. HAPTICS The means by which people and other animals communicate via touching. Some cultures place great emphasis on physical contact between people during a conversation, while people from societies in which touching is limited may feel uncomfortable.
15. Countries can be classified into 3 categories on basis of touching: Don’t Touch Middle Ground Touch Japan India Italy USA Ireland Middle East Canada China Spain England France Portugal Handshakes are common for both sexes, and may include grasping the arm with the other hand.
16. PROXEMICS Proxemics or distance. Intimate distance is when the persons move or stand closely, touching each other. Personal distance is one or two feet, social distance is three to eight feet and the public distance is about ten feet.
17. CHRONEMICS Study of the use of time nonverbal communication. The way we perceive time, structure our time and react to time is a powerful communication tool. Time perceptions include punctuality, willingness to wait, and interactions
18. CHRONEMICS IN ITALIAN CULTURE "Time is money" is not a common phrase in Italy. Foreign businessmen/women should be punctual for business appointments, although the Italian executive may not be.
19. CHROMATICS The color choices are varied in various countries depending on the local sentiments. In Italy Purple Color is not used as it is considered unlucky.
20. OLFACTICS Sense and use of smell—different cultures like different smells and use smell differently (for example, some cultures try to cover up all bodily smells and some cultures feel they are natural and should not be covered up.) Italians prefer mild smell as compared to middle east countries which prefer strong smell.
21. GIFTS Do not give chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals. Do not give red flowers as they indicate secrecy. Do not give yellow flowers as they indicate jealousy If you bring wine, make sure it is a good vintage. Quality, rather than quantity, is important.
22. Do not wrap gifts in black, as is traditionally a mourning colour. Do not wrap gifts in purple, as it is a symbol of bad luck. Gifts are usually opened when received.
23. CROSS CULTURAL NEGOTIATIONS Cross cultural negotiation is one of many specialized areas within the wider field of cross cultural communications. By taking cross cultural negotiation training, negotiators and sales personnel give themselves an advantage over competitors. The Italians are voluble or very eloquent in their conversation whereas the Europeans are very reserved and talk less.
24. FORMS OF ADDRESS When introducing a group of people yourself, it is proper etiquette to introduce the most senior members of the group first, followed by the women, and then any other members present.
25. FORMS OF ADDRESS IN ITALIAN CULTURE Forms of address are Signore (Mr) and Signora (Mrs) followed by the family name. You should only address someone by their first name if this is how they have introduced themselves, otherwise it could be seen as too informal and disrespectful.
26. VISITING CARDS Generally the visiting cards or the business cards are printed on the both the sides. On one side the information is printed in the local language and on the other side it is in English.
27. VISITING CARDS IN ITALIAN CULTURE Do not exchange business cards at social occasions; but it is the norm at business functions and meetings. Italians often have two different business cards, one with business credentials for formal relationships, and another with personal information for less formal relationships. Italian cards are often plain white with black print.
28. ETIQUETTE Etiquette is a code of behavior that influences expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group. Etiquettes differ from country to country and region to region so one should be very careful in understanding them before interacting with the people of the respective cultures.
29. DINNING ETIQUETTE In Italian, etiquette is generally called galateo. 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 mandatory. You may arrive between 15 minutes late if invited to dinner and up to 30 minutes late if invited to a party. .
30. CONTD…. If you are invited to a meal, bring gift-wrapped such as wine or chocolates. If you are invited for dinner and want to send flowers, have them delivered that day.
