Gifts are generally not exchanged at initial business meetings, however, having a gift in your briefcase in case your Italian hosts give you one is recommended. Gifts may be exchanged at the end of negotiations, but not necessarily. High quality liquor, gifts with company logos, desk accessories, music and books are appreciated. When invited to someone's home, always bring a small gift for the host or hostess. Send flowers or a gift to the host's home the day of or the day after a party.
Chrysanthemums are a symbol of death, red roses are symbols of love or passion.
Don t give knives or scissors, which are considered bad luck. Do not wrap a gift in black with gold ribbon, which symbolizes mourning. Helpful Hints Italians are open, curious and tolerant of others uniqueness and manners. They will tolerate lateness, inefficiency and sincere mistakes, but dislike arrogance and rudeness. Italians enjoy a lot of good humor and can be self-deprecating.