Mugshiat

The term "Italian" can referise to the following items:
Italy, a southern European country that is part of the European Union.
Italians, an ethnic group of southern Europe.
Italian language, a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people.
Club Sportivo Italiano, an Argentine football club.
Club Sportivo Italiano (Uruguay), a Uruguayan football club

Customs of Italy.................Marriage and family
The betrothal can last for years, as people tend not marry until they have completed their training and have found a job. Traditionally, marriage ceremonies have followed the Catholic rite, but, today, civil ceremonies are becoming more frequent, especially in central and northern Italy. Today, divorce is granted only after a legal separation of at least three years.
Thefamily pride and loyalty to it are important values. Parents try to help their children, even as adults, for example, can help them buy a house or pay for an apartment, even if it means a sacrifice for them. In the north, many families living as nuclear units, its size has declined significantly in recent decades. In the south, families are more numerous, and often several generations living in thesame town or even in the same house. The north-south divide is also reflected in the greater freedom enjoyed by women in the North, in terms of work and social life.
Meals
The Italian breakfast is light and usually consists of a cup of coffee (hot milk for children) and biscotti (cookies), bread or rolls. Also popular are the croissants with icing or some other type of filling. Pasta is a stapleof the Italian diet, served in a multitude of ways, from the ravioli, which are small squares filled with meat, cheese or vegetables, to fettuccini, which are wide noodles. The pasta is accompanied by a selection of sauces, from the Bolognese-prepared with tomatoes, beef, pork, veal or chicken liver, salmon or other mushrooms. The Italians eat fish and a variety of meats and sausages, and beef,ham, sausage and salami. The cheese is also very popular. The pizzas style varies from one region to another. A typical meal consists of three courses, but when guests or when eating in a restaurant, it is normal to start with an appetizer, which follow a pasta dish, another main meat or fish, and a dessert or some cheese. The salad is often served after the main course. Italy is a major producer ofwine, a drink that often accompanies meals.
Good food is important to the Italians, and often, especially when there are guests, leisurely. On weekends, families spend several hours at the table. Traditionally, lunch was the main meal and the family members used to eat together. However, as more and more families whose spouses work outside the home and fewer shops that close at noon, thattradition is disappearing, especially in big cities. Companies with more than 20 employees usually have some kind of cafe. Lunch is taken between 11:30 and 14 hours, dinner, around 19:30 in the north and, sometimes, even at 22:30 in Sicily and other southern areas.
Socializing
A handshake is the most common greeting. The friends and the friends of the opposite sex may greet brushing his cheeks and 'airkissing'. Friends can hug and palmotearse back, and use the word Ciao (Hello or Goodbye) as an informal greeting. Among the more formal greetings are Buon giorno (good day) and Buona sera (good evening). It is not uncommon for same sex walk arm in public. Personal Titles are very important, but the use of the name to address a person has gone far.
The Italians like to socialize in their ownhomes, as well as cafes, bars and restaurants. Visiting friends and family, especially on Sundays and other holidays, is a frequent activity. Due to the busyness of life in urban areas, often visits planned in advance. In villages where the pace of life is less hectic, people-particularly-pass relatives be unannounced. When inviting someone to dinner, it is customary to bring a small gift it....