Intercultural Communication Germany – Italy
Between plain speaking and gestures, planning and improvisation: intercultural communication between Germany and Italy holds pitfalls – but also great potential. A vivid comparison full of “aha” moments for daily life, work and relationships.
Between clarity and context
What intercultural communication really means
It is more than a language shift. It is exchange between people with different cultural backgrounds – concerning:
- Values and thought patterns
- Communication styles
- Approach to closeness and distance
- Concept of time
- Non-verbal signals
In practice: what Germans consider objective may seem cold in southern Italy. What sounds charming in Sicily may appear unprofessional in Hamburg. Both are correct – but culturally correct.
Italy’s cultural regions in comparison
Italy is no monolith. Depending on the region, attitudes, language, reliability and relational logic differ:
- Northern Italy: efficient, task-focused, similar to southern Germany
- Central Italy: diplomatic, style-conscious, flexible
- Southern Italy: relationship-oriented, spontaneous, pragmatic
- Sardinia and Sicily: strong local identity, their own communicative codes
Germany stresses equality, order and planning; Italy often prioritises relationship, context and flexibility.
Language is more than words
The role of gestures
In Germany, body language is secondary – restrained and functional. In Italy, it is an essential part of communication:
- Over 200 culturally coded gestures
- Facial expressions, hands and eyebrows “speak” actively
- Regional differences: lively in Naples, more contained in the North
An Italian gesturing is not aggressive. A German staying still is not rude. Knowing the cultural code is key to interpreting signals correctly.
Verbal, paraverbal, extraverbal
- Germany: language is precise, factual, linear. Tone and gestures are limited.
- Italy: communication is rhythmic, emotional, performative. The voice lives, hands speak along.
Rules of communication – where misunderstandings start
- A German project manager asks for the agenda, expecting a clear answer.
- A colleague from Apulia replies warmly: “Vediamo…” – which sounds positive but means “not decided yet.”
- In southern Italy, personal ties outweigh the contract. In Bavaria, the reverse.
Typical misunderstandings:
- Germans perceive Italians as unreliable.
- Italians see Germans as cold and distant.
- Emails without greeting are rude in Naples; for Germans, small talk at work often feels like wasted time.
Time perception: linear meets situational
- In Germany, time is precise and binding: “9:00” means nine sharp.
- In Italy – especially the South – time is social: “around nine” may be 9:30.
Work, uncertainty and life philosophy
Work to live – or live to work?
In Germany, work defines identity. In Italy, it is part of life but rarely the centre. In the South, family, satisfaction and personal relationships matter more than optimisation and career.Dealing with uncertainty
- Germany: structure creates safety. Everything is planned and regulated.
- Italy: uncertainty is part of life. Improvisation is a skill, not a flaw.
Criticism and closeness – cultural contrasts
- In Germany, criticism is direct and factual – a sign of honesty.
- In Italy, criticism is indirect, elegantly wrapped – to protect relationships.
- In northern Italy, the German style is understood. In the South, it can hurt.
Language logic and worldview
German seeks clarity through structure: “Sie” creates distance, subordinate clauses precision. Italian favours closeness, rhythm, intuition – “tu” comes quickly, subjects are often implied.
Typically German: “The project must be completed within the deadline.”
Typically Italian: “Dai, ci pensiamo domani!” – “Come on, we’ll sort it out tomorrow.”
Conclusion: friction is opportunity
Intercultural communication thrives on willingness to understand different logics – not to judge them. It is not about eliminating differences but recognising them.
As Norberto Bobbio, Italian philosopher of law, once said:
“Tolerance is not indifference. It is the ability to distinguish between what is essential and what can be negotiated.”
Anja Sersch