SPAIN - COMMUNICATION

The Spanish way of life is somewhat slower than the rest of Europe, especially in the south. But when Spaniards work, they work hard. They have adapted to the weather, that’s why they have three hours siestas for a lunch and relax. It is quite common for life to begin when the sun goes down, especially in the summer.

Spaniards are very opened, friendly and kind. They have no problem to cooperate with foreigners. Spaniards have their own mind. They are unpunctual. People never should push them to work.

SPAIN - CULTURE

The culture of Spain has roots in Iberian and Latin influences, Catholicism, Moorish Islam, tension between the centralized Castilian state and its regions, and its minority peoples. In addition, the history of the nation and its Mediterranean climate and geography have played strong roles in shaping its culture.

SPAIN - HISTORY

One of the characteristic features of the early history of Spain is the successive waves of different peoples who spread all over the Peninsula. The first to appear were the Iberians, a Libyan people, who came from the south. Later came the Celts, a typically Aryan people, and from the merging of the two there arose a new race, the Celtiberians, who, divided into several tribes (Cantabrians, Asturians, Lusitanians) gave their name to their respective homelands.

SPAIN - ECONOMY

Spain’s mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita basis is 87% that of the four leading West European economies. The center-right government of former Prime Minister Aznar successfully worked to gain admission to the first group of countries launching the European single currency, the euro, on 1 January 1999. The Aznar administration continued to advocate liberalization, privatization, and deregulation of the economy and introduced some tax reforms to that end. Unemployment fell steadily under the Aznar administration but remains high at 9.8% as of August 2005.

ITALY - LANGUAGE PHRASES

Today Italy has one national language, which is "Italian". In Italy, some other languages are also spoken. Over the centuries many regional languages have developed are considered as modern Italian. Just as, Milanese, which is spoken near the city of Milan, Neapolitan which is spoken near Naples, Sicilian which is spoken on Sicily.

ITALY - TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Italy is a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. Its most prominent feature is its boot-like shape kicking the island of Sicily. About 75% of Italy is mountainous or hilly, and roughly 20% of the country is forested. There are narrow strips of low-lying land along the Adriatic coast and parts of the Tyrrhenian coast.

ITALY - COMMUNICATION

  • Greetings are enthusiastic yet rather formal.
  • Italians are guided by first impressions, so it is important that you demonstrate propriety and respect when greeting people, especially when meeting them for the first time.
  • Many Italians use calling cards in social situations. These are slightly larger than traditional business cards and include the person’s name, address, title or academic honours, and their telephone number.
  • If you are staying in Italy for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to have calling cards made.