Italian delicacies, Grande Amore, Dolce Vita, Pasta & Pesto, Cane & Gatto

Nothing is quite as typical as Italian laundry culture. While Italians love washing their bed linens, the French are at the forefront when it comes to underwear, and the Germans, well, who would have thought it, with their work clothes.

La Mamma is the center of the family; she protects her children like a lioness, which is why many Italians continue to live nearby even after the wedding.

The quintessential Italian "La Ferrari"—here, the red light has to be absolutely perfect. There's always room for debate about the red light. Unfortunately, for the typical Italian, that's not quite enough, and they switch to the rather practical Ape.

Berlusconi is, or rather was, what defines a typical Italian. The Italian player: young women, his own football team, and a holiday home.

Italians want and need to look good. Shorts are too much of a good thing. Women, from a certain age onward, start thinking carefully about what they wear when they go out.

Italy is a nation of pet lovers. Seven million dogs and at least as many cats are fortunate indeed.

Not to be forgotten is the highly emotional and intense language culture. Even legal texts are presented with a great deal of gesture, facial expression, emphasis, and intonation.

...to end with Giovanni Trapattoni, "I'm finished."