Italy: Appointment Alert!
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Making appointments
Given the choice, Italians would prefer to do business with even a superficial acquaintance rather than a complete stranger. Since familiarity is so important in Italian business culture, ensure that you find a well-connected contact who can establish the right introductions on your behalf.
In Italian business culture, punctuality is not as much of a priority. As a visitor, however, it's usually a good policy to arrive on time. Be prepared to wait 15-45 minutes before your Italian counterpart appears or lets you into his or her office. Consequently, you may want to bring work, a book or another diversion to fill the time while you wait.
Northern business hours for small businesses, shops and public offices are usually 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Also, a lot of businesses are open Saturday mornings. Larger companies usually work from 8.30 /9.00 until 6.00/6.30 with an hour or so for lunch. This lunch break will be significantly longer when eating out at a restaurant with guests.
In central and southern Italy, business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. then 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday. The southern business pace is usually less intense.
In many cities, such as Rome, there is a long break lasting as long as two hours, from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Business is often discussed during this break, over lunch.
Generally, the best times to plan appointments are between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and after 3:00 p.m.
Be aware of summer vacation periods. Most firms are closed in August. If you write for an appointment in mid-July, you may not receive a satisfactory reply until September.
Many Italian public holidays follow those of continental Europe but are usually different from the U.S., U.K. and Canada. It is worth checking while planning a trip that a public holiday does not fall in the middle of it as the company and whole region may close down that day.
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