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1. https://www.mylifeelsewhere.
com/cost-of-living/united-states/italy
Altman, I., & Vinsel, A. M. (1977). Personal space: An analysis of E. T. Hall’s proxemics
framework. In I. Altman & J. F. Wohlwill (Eds.), Human Behavior and the Environment:
Advances in Theory and Research (Vol. 2, pp. 181-259). New York: Plenum.
The Differences Between Living in Italy vs. the US
US vs. Italy Cultural Differences

“Soccer” Is Football and Fans Are Passionate
The sport we call “soccer” is known as football, distinguished from “American football,” and
fans are enthusiastic and dedicated. Businesses sometimes close down during matches, and
popular players are national heroes—one of the most notable comparisons of Italian society vs.
American society. American culture places great importance on professional sports as well, but
the level of passion for football in Italy may surprise you.
Eating Habits and Shopping for Food
Rather than shopping for a week’s worth of food at a large grocery store, Italians shop at daily
food markets and focus on freshness and the quality of ingredients. They will visit different
vendors for fresh meats, produce, pasta, pastries, and cheese for meals they intend to cook
that day or the next. The importance placed on cooking also influences mealtimes and daily
habits.
Many businesses will close down for one to two hours for lunch, to allow time to cook and eat a
fresh meal before returning to work. Lunchtimes are later, usually 1-2 p.m., and the evening
meal is often served at 8-9 p.m. Pasta is common for lunch and meat or multiple courses for
dinner. Breakfast is often espresso or cappuccino and pastry, or meats and cheeses, rather than
American coffee, eggs, and pancakes.
Italian Culture vs American Culture: Food
Italians take food seriously. Most shops close for two hours in the middle of the day for a lunch
break. This can be inconvenient, but I appreciate that people take the time to make food and sit
down at the table for lunch. Instead of grabbing Jimmy John’s, Subway, or Wendy’s, they will
make something like pasta, which is very common for lunch. Pasta for lunch and meat for
dinner is a typical pattern. I’m sure almost everyone has heard that people eat a ton of pasta
here. I expected this, but I didn’t know that there would be whole aisles in the store designated
just for pasta. When going out to eat, there are three courses, dessert, and then coffee. I don’t
suggest going out to eat if you have somewhere to be in an hour! The food in north Italy and
south Italy are so different. Before arriving in Italy, I was thinking that I’d be having the usual
“Italian restaurant” food like garlic bread and spaghetti with some kind of pasta sauce made
with tomatoes. I was completely wrong. I found out that what we typically think of as Italian
food is more similar to the food from the south. In the north, they have their own specialties
like risotto Milanese. One of my favorite things is trying a region’s typical food while traveling.
All of the regions are so diverse. Also I can’t forget to mention the gelato (Italian ice cream)
Amazing!
Taboos in Italian Culture:
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. Do not give a brooch, handkerchiefs, or knives as
they connote sadness. Do not eat with your hands, not even fruits. Do not leave the
table during dinner, which is considered rude. Do not point with your index finger and
pinkie finger at the same time, which is considered extremely vulgar in Italy
Taboos in American Culture:

American Taboos – A List
 Not Tipping the Server.
 Wolf Whistling.
 Talking about Politics at the Dinner Table.
 Talking about Business at the Dinner Table.
 Using a Phone at Dinner.
 Drinking in Public Spaces.
 Doing Drugs.
 Eating Before the Host gets to the Table.
Romantic Relation to Italian & American
There are two main ways to say “girlfriend” and “boyfriend” in Italian: ragazzo/a or
fidanzato/a. The former is used by young couples, usually when they are dating, while
the latter is for serious relationships and also means fiance. There are two main ways to
say “girlfriend” and “boyfriend” in Italian: ragazzo/a or fidanzato/a. The former is used
by young couples, usually when they are dating, while the latter is for serious
relationships and also means fiance.
English speakers often say “Honey,” “Babe” or “Dear” (to name just a few!) instead of
calling their significant other by name, right? Well, Italians do that, too! Instead of
“Honey” or “Sweetheart” you might hear Dolcezza (literally: Sweetness) which is a
very informal term that loosely means “sweetheart.”
Life and Death:
Italians generally believe in a life after death in which the good are rewarded and
the evil punished. There is a belief in a place where sins are purged, purgatory.
Heaven and hell are realities for most Italians.
Italians have many celebrations for their saints and their deceased loved ones,
celebrating on other culturally shared days like All Saints' Day and Day of the Dead.
They believe that life after death is like another journey, with the soul continuing to
see, hear and taste.
In the United States, however, death is seen as morbid and taboo.” In the United
States, however, death is seen as morbid and taboo. Most families are not intimately
involved in the dying process, as loved ones die in hospitals and bodies are prepared by
second-hand parties. They do believe in a spirit world (Wakan Tanka) in the sky in
which the deceased are free of pain and suffering. For tribal nations that view death
in this way, moving from this world to the next is not something to be mourned, but
rather it is something to be celebrated.

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1. https://www.mylifeelsewhere.

The Differences Between Living in Italy vs. the US

US vs. Italy Cultural Differences

Eating Habits and Shopping for Food

Taboos in Italian Culture:

Taboos in American Culture:

Life and Death:

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