DRESS
Most travellers will feel seriously under dressed in Italy. Get used to designer clad people of all ages sweeping past. Italian women seem to go to the hairdressers every two weeks and wear the skinniest, leg sucking pants you've ever seen and high heeled, knee-high boots and short skirts. The impracticalities of this kind of dress for travellers is obvious. The best thing to do is bring one set of formal clothes to wear out (literally) for more dressy occasions. For the most part, sensible clothing that is not too skimpy or tight will suffice. Keep yourself tidy and your clothes clean and ensure sufficient body cover, particularly when visiting churches and other religious establishments. Some churches will refuse entry to people in shorts or short skirts and with bare shoulders. In the south it is a little more conservative so women should not wear skimpy or see through clothing. Summers are very hot and visitors from other parts of Europe may be surprised, particularly in the south, while winters are very cold in the north (mild in the south) so dress according to the season.

HISTORY AND STEREOTYPES
Italy has only been unified for little over 100 years, so while there is national patriotism people tend to be Sicilian or Tuscan before they are Italian. There are a lot of stereotypes about Italian behaviour i.e wild driving, love of eating, passionate, animated and long siestas. However while some of this can be true there are also hard-working and resourceful people. Italians do have a distrust of authority and will usually find the quickest way around a silly rule or unjust law because they are just that. The phrase "When in Rome" should be your general guide for survival in Italy. Try to blend in and accept local customs. None of them are too outlandish to be considered unacceptable in your own country although in some parts of Sardegnia they do prepare maggot cheese!

THE FAMILY
Most young Italians remain at home until they are married and are passionately loyal to their family and family friends. Even after marriage it is not uncommon for men or women to visit their families regularly and be in daily contact.

FOR WOMEN
While every second billboard in Italy seems to advertise semi-naked women to promote products, women are still expected to dress prudishly (see above). Harassement from Italian men is widely reported by female travellers.
However much of this is low level and accounts only to whistling and "ciao bella's". It can easily be dissuaded by ignoring it. Italian men can be very gentlemanly and will still open doors for women, help them with their coats and pick up the cheque in restaurants. Women travelling alone may be treated with curiosity mainly because it is a rarity.

HOSPITALITY
Italians are extremely generous people and will often invite you to dinner or various social functions once you get to know them even slightly.

TITLES
Although Italians generally are friendly, they do not expect to be called by their first names when they meet you. Honorific titles are very important here. Anyone who has graduated from university is a dottore. Men are almost always called Dottore, but if they are engineering graduates, they are called Ingegnere. Male lawyers are addressed as Avvocato, for women it's Avvocata. A company president or chairman is addressed as Presidente.

APPOINTMENTS
Punctuality is appreciated but lateness is common in Italy and you should not be offended if you are kept waiting by your host for up to a quarter of an hour. Business cards are usually exchanged for business appointments.