Italian Culture

It is a known fact that every human being communicates through language, but perhaps a little known fact that we communicate even through the food we eat. We communicate through food all the meanings that we assign and attribute to our culture, and consequently to our identity as well. Food is not only nourishment for our bodies, but a symbol of where we come from. In order to understand the basic function of food as a necessity not only for our survival, we must look to politics, power, identity, and culture.

Neither life nor culture can be sustained without food. On a very basic level, food is fundamentally essential for life, not simply to exist, but also to thrive. A means by which carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, nutrients, and calories are introduced into the body, food is a mechanism of survival. However, on a more abstract level, food is also fundamentally essential for culture by establishing its perimeters and dimensions and in shaping its authenticity and character. Food becomes the

Food can also help with a person’s memory and give them a feeling of belonging. It also helps them to keep interested in foods and drink.

When studying food in its entirety: its classification, structure, and the way it’s utilized, it becomes obvious that food is closely tied to food-getting strategies; social, democratic, and political constitution; intimate ties of social relationships; ecological vigor and vitality; and the physical and mental wellness of an individual and group. Besides water, food is the most fundamental element of life that we need for our species to survive and thrive; everybody has an appetite for food. Food is a cultural artifact that is central to human life, identity, and bonds we share with our communities. As an artifact, food plays a significant and meaningful role in our everyday connections with “nature through culture,” that translates

Food is used in different circumstances in life represents a culture, but can also reflect one's personality, lifestyle, and socio-economic

Food is particularly powerful as a symbol because of the relationship that it helps build in this story. It brings together two people that usually wouldn’t be together and helps make their relationship stronger. Every Saturday, the father and daughter would get together to have any meal that they would be craving the week before. This gave them a reason to go out and spend quality time together. It also became a routine each week to go out together and eat. She started to look forward to each outing she had with her dad, which instantly brightened up her day. Food allowed him to take her out and not loose touch with her since he didn’t live with

What does it mean to be Italian? Is it the way that we communicate with each other or the values that we hold? Are we proud of the way we eat during every meal with multiple courses that feel like they are never ending? It is a combination of all of these things, and that is what makes the Italian culture so great. It is important to discuss an understanding of the culture before discussing the communication rules and norms. It is important to talk about the values, style, and religion that goes along with the Italian culture.

Food, has a specific meaning to all of us; for some it is a form of nourishment, for others it is a cultural act,

and steal. S. Tepper (2017) informs it’s disrespectful to talk-back to your elders. Stephen finds that it’s highly frowned upon if grace isn’t said before each meal. Stephen claims that the most celebrated holiday in the Italian Culture is Christmas (S. Tepper, personal communication, October 2017). Gathering with friends and family around this time is very important. Celebrating the birth of Christ and eating a meal with family and friends on this day is highly honored. S. Tepper (2017) explains that in his culture it is believed starting fresh with the new year and forgetting tensions with others is very affective.

Food is looked at as nourishment, an instrument of solidarity, and a mechanism of community (Theres Nothing Like Church Food). Something that we take for granted everyday is a major support system for not only our bodies, but for our families and making the community in which we live in

Italian culture is steeped in the arts, family, architecture, music and food. Home of the Roman Empire and a major center of the Renaissance, culture on the Italian peninsula has flourished for centuries. It is a beautiful nation full of many traditions and great history. It is the cultural capital of the world, and the cradle of modern civilization. Italy has been the starting point of phenomena of international impact such as the Roman Empire, the Roman Catholic Church, the Renaissance and the Risorgimento. Because of extreme regional differences, it is difficult to discuss Italian culture as a whole. As a young nation composed of many different "regioni", traveling from province to province can seem like stepping between different countries.

Few things identify Italians as well as food, “the cross-cultural consumption of Italian cuisine is a significant marker of the way in which others see and imagine Italy and the Italians.” Food is cultural artifact. The Italian culture lives to eat. Where as, the American culture eats to live. Food is a way of life in Italy, not just a way to survive.

Food can teach how cultures developed their cuisine. Sometimes poverty forces people to utilize strange ingredients. Sometimes certain crops are more abundant than others, thus the brunt of their food composes of that crop. Necessity forces people to improvise their cuisine; in the earliest times, people cooked food to survive, not to entertain their taste buds. People can also learn how each culture savors its food. For example, the French eat their food quickly. People can also learn about the community through food, how families, schools, and religious institutions eat. Food is essential as it is “where culture and ecology intersect”, and the act of eating teaches people humanity. Someone can refer to this source’s many points on what food teaches to build an argument on how food is cultural

Food brings everyone together no matter what culture you are in. Culture is a way of life shared by a group of people, beliefs, customs, symbols and etc. Many families can spend time with each other by preparing and eating dinner at the table, going out for dinner or just celebrating holidays.

Food in its self is a very special thing, it give us nutrients, give us reason to communicate with each other. People can use food as a Segway to tell someone some very important information, possibly tell them they love them. Tell them they want to business with them. There are so many fascist to food that just run so deep in our society as Americans. Whether this changes in other cultures I 'm sure. But the connection between food and family is one that can always be made. there are times a year I would say, are the only times I see family, for one reason we may just miss each other but if given the option of free food, usually gets the public attention. It helps break the monotony of not having a reason to speak. If we didn 't Have these outlets to the communicate and shares moments together, I 'm really not sure when we would ever come back together perhaps a funeral or wedding. It 's sad that only in the begging and at the end of life is when families come together the most.