![\"like-a-boss-1024x1024\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/italian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2014\/09\/like-a-boss-1024x10241.jpg\" "\\"like-a-boss-1024x1024\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n1. Attitude<\/font><\/u><\/p>\n Have you ever been in a foreign country where you speak little or none of the native language? Perhaps you go into a little caf\u00e9 for a snack and the waitress, realizing that you speak English, begins to speak to you in your mother tongue. Perhaps her English is very basic, let\u2019s say at the level of a four year old. <\/p>\n Do you: My guess, based on personal experience, is that the answer is C<\/strong>. 2. Body Language<\/font><\/u><\/p>\n Yes, Italians are famous for it. It\u2019s an essential part of communication here in Italy. One of the things that a lot of Italians tell me they find confusing when talking to foreigners, especially Northern Europeans and North Americans, is their lack of body language<\/u>. So, once again, take a deep breath, relax, overcome your culture inhibitions, and use your body and face to express what you want to say. Of course, it\u2019s probably not a good idea to try and copy Italian gestures until you understand what they mean \u2026 that could cause you some embarrassment! Check our blogs about Italian gestures to find out more: Gesture of the Day Part 1<\/font><\/strong><\/a> – <\/font><\/strong>Gesture of the Day Part 2<\/font><\/strong><\/a> – <\/font><\/strong>Gesture of the Day Part 3<\/font><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n 3. Make the most of the Internet<\/font><\/u><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have the opportunity to spend much time in Italy then use the Net. YouTube is my favourite online resource. I watch videos in both English and Italian, and I suggest that you begin to watch as many Italian videos as you can. Choose a topic that interests you, something that makes you want to find out more, and to really understand what people are saying. Study Italians as they speak, look out for those gestures, listen for strange expressions, unexpected grammatical variations, and replay the video as often as you need. \u2026 and finally, let me leave you with a funny video: Inglesi Vanno in Italia<\/font><\/strong><\/a>, with Italian subtitles. Divertitevi!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" No, this isn\u2019t another one of those silly blogs promising you that you\u2019ll be speaking Italian fluently in two weeks. It\u2019s simply a few tips, based on personal experience, that may help you to communicate more effectively when you\u2019re in Italy. Let\u2019s look at three important aspects of confidence building: 1. Attitude Have you ever…<\/p>\n
A<\/strong>. laugh at her?
B<\/strong>. think to yourself: \u201cWow, that\u2019s awful\u201d?
C<\/strong>. feel surprised and pleased that someone is making an effort to communicate with you in your mother tongue?<\/p>\n
Now switch roles. This time it\u2019s you who hesitatingly makes an effort to communicate with a foreigner in their mother tongue. What is their reaction? Once again, based on experience, I\u2019d say that the answer is C<\/strong>.
The moral of this tale? No one but yourself is judging you. Take a deep breath, relax, and go for it. Use the magic key of language to open new doors, and make new friends.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
And remember: Serena and myself are here for you. Drop us a line, feel free to ask us about what is being said, a word that you can\u2019t identify, or perhaps a phrase, for example: \u201cwhat is Georgia (the famous Italian singer) saying at 01:20 (1 minutes and 20 seconds)in THIS<\/strong><\/font><\/a> video?\u201d Answer \u201cabbiamo deciso che non potevamo lasciarvi in pace quest\u2019anno<\/strong> \u2026. (we decided that we couldn\u2019t leave you in peace this year\u2026).<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n