Cultural scrapbook by Damaris Ramirez

The population in Italy is 58.1 million Around 68 percent of Italians live in Urban areas. Rome is the capital of Italy. With more than 2.8 million people. Even though Italy has lost many citizens the nation has experienced a large influx of immigrants in the pass two decades.

The official language in Italy is Italian Rome dialects had major influence on modern Italian. The youth in Italy also speaks English, this is the most common second language. In Italy older generations prefer to speak French An ethnic minority Tyrol speaks landin

Mostly all Italians are Roman Catholics. Even though some people don’t participate in regular basis. In Italy attendance services is not high. Secularism is more appealing to many segments of society. At the same time many Catholics find ways to worship.

In Italy people are know for their hand gestures during a conversation. A common gesture is rubbing thumbs rapidly against their fingers to indicate money. In some areas in the south indicate no by nodding their head upward. Italian gestures are so many foreigners sometimes find gesture dictionaries useful. Men in Italy remove their hats when entering buildings. People in Italy sometimes also cover their mouth while coughing or sneezing.

Christmas and New year day is a national holiday in Italy Another holiday is epiphany which is on the 6 th of January. Easter is also common is Italy this includes Easter Monday They also celebrate Liberation day this is on April 25. Labor day is another holiday they celebrate this is on may 1 st saints day is also celebrated in Italy this falls on November 1 st.

In Italy they usually date in groups or in couples. Going to the movies or dancing are some activities they do. A man will rarely marry before he has finished his education and has found an employment. Marriage ceremonies most often follow catholic traditions. Women usually marry at the age of 26 and the average age for men is 29. Divorce rate is growing and the marriage rate is slowing as more couples live together instead of marrying especially in northern italy.

 Italians usually eat with with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right.  Their hands are kept above the table. Placing them on your lap is improper.  Families in Italy usually eat their supper around 7 or 8 p.m in the north and south it is usually around 8:30 and 9:30.  During their dinner their conversations are usually about soccer politics, family matters, business, and local events.  at restaurants, the bill often includes a service charge, but leaving a small tip for the server is also appropriate.

Italy has been a birthplace and center of the arts for centuries. Italians invented opera, musical notation, and the piano. The Romans also played a key role in the development of Western architecture, using techniques such as the arch, dome, and vault to build larger more structurally sound buildings Museums in Italian cities such as Florence, Naples, Rome, and Venice houses are in the art collections.

Breakfast is Italy is usually light. The main meal whether its lunch or dinner traditionally includes three courses. Italian pizza is not the same as pizza in the United States and differs from region to region. Italians enjoy literally hundreds of cheeses, including mozzarella and Parmesan.

Men and women in Italy usually greet each other with a hand shake When people are in groups they try to avoid crossing other peoples hand shakes If the persons hand is dirty he or she may offer a forearm, a finger, or a simple apology instead. When a man and a woman are introduced to each other, the man bows his head slightly and waits for the woman to extend her hand first. Close friends often greet each other by hugging or by kissing.

For recreation Italian go to the beach countryside, movies, dances, or sporting events. Soccer is by far the most popular sport, and teams wear the colors of their home city's flag. bicycling, horse racing, skiing, tennis, boxing, swimming, and track and field are also popular. Italians often go to bars to socialize during the day.

Italy is a major center of the European fashion industry. Youths throughout the country follow latest fashion trends. Older women generally wear dresses. it is becoming more common to see people of all ages wearing casual shoes such as sneakers, while young people often wear jeans.

Italians baptize their children as infants. Babies were traditionally given the name of one of their grandparents. During funerals the caskets remain open for 24 hours. The deceased is often remembered in Masses offered a month and then a year after death.

The Italian Alps run along the northern border, and the Apennines form a spine down the peninsula. summers in the south can be very hot (up to 104°F, or 40°C). The rest of the country usually experiences moderate summers, but they have been quite hot recently. Winters are cold and rainy in the north, cool around Rome, and mild in the south.