Italy - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Culture Smart / Cultuur Bewust

by Barry Tomalin, Charles Armstrong (Reader)

Italy delights and stimulates with its magnificent cities and monuments, its stunningly beautiful landscapes, the glory of its art and architecture, the richness and variety of its food, the elegance of its design and fashion, and the vitality and charm of its people. Italian style and culture have been exported all over the world.
 
What is it like at home? Almost ten years after the 2008 banking crisis, Italy struggles to maintain its standard of living, the stability of the currency, and its ability to provide jobs for its school leavers and university graduates, many of whom now leave to work elsewhere in Europe. In addition, the influx of refugees from southeast Europe and across the Mediterranean is putting pressure on both its security and its economy. How are traditional Italian society and politics changing to deal with these challenges, with its most famous political personality of the last ten years, the former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, still apparently waiting in the wings?
 
The Italians are the most European-minded of nations, having emerged from a long history of regional fragmentation. Culture Smart! Italy introduces you to their history and culture and offers an insider’s guide to their daily lives, passions, and preoccupations. This is your chance to get to know them better.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Italy, Cultural

Audio CD

First published January 12, 2016

Reviews

[John Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barry Tomalin’s book introduces the culture and customs of Italy to English-speaking readers. He stresses the importance of family and clothes to Italians. Mr. Tomalin encourages visitors to carry photos of their families to help create links with Italians. And he makes the point that Italians are willing to pay for their high-quality clothes by stating that “Italian ‘cheap’ is often British or American ‘expensive.’”

The 195-page book contains an 18-page “Brief History” that covers prehistory through the Second World War. The self-imposed page limit forced Mr. Tomalin to omit certain people and events, and it seems interesting that he chose to omit any reference to Marco Polo.

The book was published in 2021, but it appears that some parts of the book do not reflect current information. His section on Money and Banking claims that “travelers’ checks are the safest form of currency,” which seems obsolete. And the section on Transportation contains no information about Lyft or Uber.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm new to non-fiction, so I can't necessarily provide valid criticism.

I learned a lot from this book, A LOT. And that makes me happy. However, the writer left several loose ends throughout--for me, this is good because now I know what questions I need answered, and therefore can go out and find new books/articles to read about my favorite place. But he is also vague or unclear on many things, namely at the end of sections/chapters as if to leave the reader in suspense (in a non-fiction book?). This is the reason for many of my questions, and why in a few sections I didn't learn much. The book itself left me slightly unsatisfied--although I did skip the whole "business briefing" thing, which is beyond dull.

But either way, I found this to be a short, good, insightful read, especially when it comes to how Italians act and how to have a cooperative relationship with them, and also the things they care about most, such as family and football. For someone new to Italy this is beneficial. Otherwise it's just "okay".

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some sections of this book very interesting and helpful for understanding aspects of Italian culture, but was pretty disappointed by finding 3 factual errors within the first 20 pages. It made me wonder if I could trust anything I was reading without having to look it up somewhere else. This edition (2021 Kindle) could do with a good round of fact-checking/proofreading.

[Cinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Learned some fun details about my Italian culture!

[Davide · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm italian, an INTP italian, not the usual football fashon "bella figura" addicted type.

The book does its job, it's not 100% correct in some details but the big picture of the 80% of the population is there; just remember there is also the other 20% who does not care how you dress and want a mail instead of five phone calls!

[Pen Winton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it for a class. Good pointers on how to do business in Italy.

[ShaTonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very informative and I will definitely read it again.

[Jeff J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great supplement to a standard guidebook.

[MICHAEL F EVERS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully concise!

The author gets the job done with speed and clarity in a very practical way, which I very much appreciated.

[Sasha Schumacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Culture Smart books are my go-to when moving to another country or traveling there. Fantastic cultural information pertaining to travel, language. Business and regular interactions.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad I found this author. Definitely a lot of information I didn't know, and planning a trip to Italy and around the Mediterranean, I am looking forward to also reading his book on Turkey.

I felt the book was full of information but moved quickly. It doesn't read like a book and is faster-paced than a travel guide. Sometimes the topics in a chapter jump quickly. I got the audio version of this book but then had to get the e-version so I wasn't totally lost. I needed to see some of the tidbits so I could write down the most important information.

It sounds like the post offices are really important. They deal with way more than just stamps and do a lot of paperwork for anything someone would need trying to live there.

The first chapter was important for understanding some of the history and major cities and what happens there, and I really can't wait to see the Vatican. Some of the leadership I wasn't as interested in, but I know it will mean more when I am there.

In the chapter on values and attitudes - whew - I feel like I need a whole new wardrobe to not look like a tourist. I also love learning about families and how important family time and supporting/protecting the family is.

I'd love to be in Italy during a major festival, and I'm thinking I need a new credit card for all the shopping and eating I'd do. I won't have the opportunity to drive while in Italy, but my husband does a lot for work, and it makes sense to have a yearly driver's license.

I think I'd need a bigger breakfast than the Italians have, but maybe they can get away with a light meal because dinner is late at night. I didn't read much about exercise in the book or how they stay thin/if there is just a lot of walking. The travel chapter was good though on understanding the trains and other ways to get around.

I imagine chapters 8-9 would be important for those going with their companies or conducting business. Good little cultural tips so we don't make fools of ourselves.

Overall I thought the book was good for me understand some everyday tips like food, paying, and how to get around but also got me really excited for things like fresh meals and being friendly with people. I also kept thinking of things I need to take on the trip, so well worth the time to read the book.

[Tri Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book on the culture of Italy. Topics include history, generalization of Italian values and attitudes, dining culture, friendships, getting around the country, business philosophies and common practices, communication habits, and other little bits of information about Italy and its people. I felt it had a business and relationship building focus. Very high-level and brief. The guide is easy-to-read and accessible but felt like it needed more substance to be truly enjoyable and useful.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short book explaining the culture and traditions of Italy particularly for business people. So, while I was not the target audience, it did give me quite a bit of insight into Italian culture and was worth my time to read. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the information yet, but I am hoping that the information I absorbed from this book will help me while traveling.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very general overview of Italian culture, particularly geared towards businessmen/businesswomen. It presented a few of the Italian idiosyncrasies and it is remarkably easy to read, but still, I felt it lacked... something. I wanted a deeper look into the culture and I didn't really get it.

[Karli Sherwinter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful information regarding Italian culture, but I think this book is more geared towards people who are planning to move to Italy, or do business there. Much of the detail about bureaucracy, housing, and car ownership is not relevant for tourists.

[Strona po stronie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but a good read. Not the captivating type, but full of little tidbits of useful information and very readable. For everyone interested in the Italian culture.

[Ietrio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea how much truth is in this book, but it sure is funny to read it.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good background information on Italy.

[Kevyn Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this on audio and I was not disappointed. The information was quick yet informative and fun to listen to, I very much enjoyed it. I feel like it was just overall a great read!

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

➥ ❪ 𝟮𝟬/𝟬𝟳/𝟮𝟯 ─ 𝟯★ ❫
 ▸ read on eboox
  ▸ ebook

[Jessica Moens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book to read to prepare for a trip to Italy. While talking to a local during my travels, I could link many of the things he said to what I had read.

[DC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introductory to Italian Culture. Quick, easy read.