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Customs

Greetings: 
  • Shake hands (avoid crossing other hand shakes when in groups) 
  • Apologise if you have dirty or full hands
  • When a man and a women are introduced, man's head bows slighty and women extends hand
  • Close friends hug or kiss each other near cheeks in the air
  • Say "Ciao"  (Hello)
  • Say "Buongiorno" (Good day)
  • Friends are arm-in-arm in public  

Gestures: 

  • ​​Very common use of commuications with hands (mostly in south)

  • Italians count starting with thumb

  • Men remove hats in a building 

  • Impolite when removing shoes in front of people

  • Cover mouth when yawning and sneezing 

Languages spoken:
Italian (with many dialects)
Younger children speak English as their second language
Older people most likely speak French
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