French
German
Greeks
Italian
Spanish
 



Americans
Aussies
Austrians
Belgians
Californians
Canadians
Czechs
Danes
Dutch
English
Estonians
French
Germans
Greeks
Hungarians
Icelanders
Irish
Israelis
Italians
Japanese
Kiwis
Poles
Russians
Scots
Spanish
Swedes
Swiss
Welsh
  

The Xenophobe's Guide to the Italians

by Martin Solly

A guide to understanding the Italians which reveals their cultural curiosities and defining characteristics.

Extracts from the book

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'.

Comments from readers

A book you just can't refuse. Hilarious insights into the Italian man and the mother behind him.
San Francisco, CA, USA

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

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

Reviews from the Press

Light-hearted guides well worth reading before you visit any of the countries or, if you have relatives that hail from those parts of the world, they can explain a lot.
Burton Mail

An enlightened new series, good natured, witty and useful. The Xenophobe's Guides to different nations deserves a real cheer.
The European

Table of Contents
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

 

Author: Martin Solly
Format: 96 pages, pb
Published: 15/07/08
New edition
Price: £4.99

ISBN-13:
978-1-906042-39-4



This is no bluff! Bluffer's Guide®, Bluffer's Guides®, Bluffer's® |
Bluff Your Way®, and Xenophobe's®
are Registered Trademarks |

PLEASE NOTE: Oval Books has new contact details which are as follows:
Oval Books, 5 St John's Buildings, Canterbury Crescent, London SW9 7QH, UK
Tel: 020 7733 8585 Fax: 020 7733 8544 E-mail: info@ovalbooks.com