TOP 10 FACTORS WHEN RELOCATING TO ITALY

Basic etiquette and tipping – Italians greet good friends with a kiss on each side of the face upon arrival and departure. If you don’t know each other well, a handshake will suffice. Tipping is not obligatory as in other parts of the world. Certainly if service is exceptional or particularly friendly, a tip is always appreciated.

Bureaucracy – Dealing with Italian bureaucracy and public offices can be one of the most upsetting and frustrating experiences in Italy. It is certain that your patience will be tested as soon as you arrive in Italy since you will have to apply for several documents to work and live there. Being assisted by a relocation consultant will definitely avoid big headaches and possibly wasting your time.

Cooking – Food is a very important part of the Italian culture. Eating well (mangiare bene) is quite important here and you are certain to enjoy some wonderful cuisine during your stay. A typical Italian meal would include an ‘antipasto’ (appetizer), primo (pasta or rice), secondo with contorno (meat or fish with vegetables) followed by cheese or fruit, dessert, coffee and perhaps an after dinner drink (digestivo) to aid the digestion. No-one could eat such large meals with all the courses every day. However, if you go to a dinner party, wedding or holiday luncheon, be prepared to eat, eat and eat …

Italian drivers –  The foreigner’s first impression is that Italian drivers pay no attention to speed limits, have little or no concept of lane discipline and stop at red lights or pedestrian crossings only in a dire emergency.

Nevertheless, although many Italian drivers are reckless, in general they are not as bad as their reputation might suggest. However, just to be on the safe side, always try to leave a large gap between your vehicle and the one in front to give you more time should you need to brake suddenly and, when you cross the road at a traffic light or pedestrian crossing, you’d better check twice.

Housing – Styles of homes in Italy vary according to the location. In cities, people generally live in flats, houses being rare and prohibitively expensive. In the outskirts of cities or small villages, you can easily find standalone, detached or semi-detached houses with gardens. Italian homes and apartments tend to be sold or rented empty and not even equipped with a kitchen or bathroom furniture. It is possible to find furnished apartments, but the quality of furniture is not always high and landlords are not always willing to sustain the cost to move or store them if you love the apartment but hate the furnishings.

Language – Italians are very appreciative of even the smallest effort to speak their language. Don’t be afraid to dive in and make mistakes. That’s the best way to learn. Remember Italians do talk with their hands, so it is amazing what can be communicated with a few key words, hand signals and an open mind.

Recycling – Each city may have slightly different recycling requirements, so find out the specific separation policy in your area. Typically, trash should be divided into the following categories: biological / food waste, glass and aluminum, paper and cartons, plastic, all other waste. There may be separate bins in your condominium trash area or specific collection days for various types of waste. In some cities you will find large bins located throughout the community marked and color-coded for the various types of materials, including pharmaceuticals or batteries.

Schooling – Italian children usually begin nursery school (scuola materna or asilo nido) at the age of three, for a period of three years. Many kindergartens also accept children of younger ages to accommodate the needs of working parents. Compulsory school begins at the age of 6 when a child enters elementary school (scuola elementare). Junior High School (scuola media) begins when a child is 11. High school (liceo – offering scientific, classical, artistic or linguistic curricula) or trade school is the next option for continued studies after Junior High (usually beginning at about the age of 15 with diplomas earned after 5 years).

Shopping – Italy is one of the greatest shopping countries in the world, a real paradise for shopping lovers. Shopping in Italy is not limited to clothing, shoes or bags. Italy is also famous for its handicrafts, handmade goods, food and wine. Each region has its own specialties.

Television – Italian TV currently offers 7 major channels and several other local channels. RAI (the state Italian radio and television network) requires all owners of a television to pay an annual subscription fee (abbonamento / canone). If you are interested in a wider choice of television channels, check out the satellite television services. Note that televisions in Italy operate on the PAL and DVB systems.