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The Xenophobe's Guide
to the Italians
by Martin Solly
A guide to understanding the Italians which reveals their cultural curiosities
and defining characteristics.
NOW
Available online as an eBook. See button below right to sample.
| La Dolce Vita | | The Italians live life to the full, and do not feel in the least
bit guilty leading a life of leisure and pleasure twenty-four hours a day, seven
days a week, fifty-two weeks a year. This is what life is all about: Italians
do not live to work, they work to live. |
| Achoo Brute? | | The most common Italian illness is hypochondria. Italians are in general
extremely healthy people who spend a great deal of their time thinking that they
should feel healthier than they do. |
| A little truth goes a long way |
| Italians grow up knowing that they have to be economical with the truth.
All other Italians are, so if they didn't play the game they would be at a serious
disadvantage. They have to fabricate to keep one step ahead. |
| Always look on the bright side of life |
| Generally speaking, the Italians tend to look on the bright side of life
- a positive outlook aptly illustrated by their touching salutation: 'May the
saddest days of your future be the happiest days of your past'. |
| A book you
just can't refuse. Hilarious insights into the Italian man and the mother behind
him. | | San Francisco, CA, USA |
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Excellent summary of a crazy nation. Haven't tried any of the other xenophobe's
guides yet, but this one really hits the mark - in a most amusing fashion - in
describing the eccentricities of my Italian girlfriend and her family. Allegria,
campanilismo, la mamma: it's all here. | |
London, UK |
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This book points out most of the Italians habits (both the bad and good ones)
with respect to family, food, love affairs, etc., giving a good picture of the
Italian people in an objective, but funny, way. I am Italian and I must admit
that most of the attitudes described in the book are real, even if, sometimes,
they are a bit exaggerated. | | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| The
Xenophobe's Guide to the Italians fills all the gaps left by
the more traditional guidebooks. It does a fine job too, for such
tips as ''vehicles with out-of-town plates are regarded as fair
game by both local drivers and traffic police'' are surely every
bit as useful as advice on where to grab a slice of pizza. Thankfully
the book never slips into the literal xenophobia that the title
so explicitly suggests. Instead it is a hugely enjoyable and affectionate
look at the numerous foibles and eccentricities of the Italian way
of life. A useful tool for all those ex-pats strenuously trying
to masquerade as native Italians. |
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Italian magazine
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An enlightened new series, good natured, witty and useful. The Xenophobe's Guides
to different nations deserves a real cheer. |
| The European |
Nationalism
and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Happy Families
Manners
and Behaviour
Leisure and Pleasure
Drinking and Eating
Custom and
Tradition
Sense of Humour
Culture
Systems
Culture
Systems
Business and Commerce
Government
Language | |
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| Author:
Martin
Solly |
| Format:
96
pages, pb |
| Published:
15/07/08 |
| New
edition |
| Price:
£4.99 |
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ISBN:
978-1-906042-39-4
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Online
eBook. Click on button below to sample.
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