Culture Shock! Italy: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette

Culture Shock!

by Alessandro Falassi, Raymond Flower

Whether you're conducting business, traveling for pleasure, or even relocating abroad, one mistake with customs or etiquette can leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth. International travelers, now more than ever, are not just individuals from the United States, but ambassadors and impression makers for the country as a whole. Newly updated, redesigned, and resized for maximum shelf appeal for travelers of all ages, Culture Shock! country and city guides make up the most complete reference series for customs and etiquette you can find. These are not just travel guides; these are guides for a way of life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Italy

290 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

Reviews

[Andy M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's insights are ultimately diluted by so many stock expressions in the style of writing. It's stilted by formality even for a book written as late as the mid-1990s. Some of the lore is certainly valuable, but the perspective seems limited to an incurious single British man in his mid-twenties hoping to work in business in Italy with the dream of seducing some women. While I don't think this book could be made any more appealing by running it through a filter of political correctness, it could have been written by someone more willing to explore.

[John Tetteroo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of a culture shock, mostly stuff that is common sense. Even a bit behind the times in places, I do not see much content that is really relevant if you have a mobile phone with internet. Memorable for the long list of verbal abuse however, it was even subdivided in categories. This gave me a weak smile that lasted for a minute or so... Two stars since it was sort of ok.

[Occhi Aperti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having visited Italy a few times, we found this guide informative and entertaining. It does a good job of capturing all the nuances of Italy and its people. Had a some laughs over the Learning the Language Chapter.

[Ivy G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read and actually learned a lot from it, but I wouldn't know if these would be helpful until I actually visit Italy.

[Tammie Painter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Other than a brief mention of how to behave at a very formal dinner party and a bit on language, this book offers little in the way of telling about the quirks and customs of Italy. Other culture shock books I've read have given a nice and humorous insight into the habits, expected behaviors and ways of doing things in other countries. This was mostly a guide book with a large section on art, one on the geography of the country and another on regional foods. I think I've gotten better cultural advice from a Rick Steves guide book than from this. Quite disappointed with this volume of the culture shock line up.

[Laurie Mcclary · Rating 3 out of 5]

In preparating for my upcoming trip to Italy I read this book. A lot of the information provided was common sense and some was directed to people who plan on doing more then a 10 day tour. However, I did find parts of it interesting.

[Colleen]

decent