7 little-known facts about the most emotional nation

Being late is considered to be quite normal among Italian people. They didn't get used to be in a hurry.
For example, some shops can open one or two hours later than it's said in the schedule. Especially it's typical of the Italian South and small villages. Lunch-break can continue up to 3 hours.
You will be surprised, but buses, trains and even planes work according an approximate schedule. Italian airport Fiumicino quite often can be met in the list of "the most unpunctual airports of the world".

For the Italians family is always on the first place. They highly appreciate traditions and family ties, respect older generation and try to spend much time with relatives. Frequent walking, family dinners at weekends are a very important part of their lives. That's why the Italians always celebrate holidays with relatives, not friends.

Italian men can live with their parents till they are 30 or even 40 years old. The thing is, the laws in Italy are quite strict - if a man marries a woman and then divorces he must support his ex-wife and children anyway. Besides, the procedure can be quite tiresome and last up to several years.
So, the Italians are very scrupulous as far as the choice of their life partners is concerned.

You'll be surprised, but people of some professions can be met only in Italy. For example, a taster of balsamic vinegar, who decides whether the product deserves to come into the market or not.
One more interesting profession is a Parmesan cheese listener on a cheese factory. This person uses a special silver hammer to knock on cheese and thus understand whether it is ready or not.

All Italians take vacation almost at the same time. Usually it happens at the end of summer. So, empty streets, shops and cafes are quite a normal picture.

Bikes are very popular in Italy. There are a lot of bike-ways and bicycle rentals there.
The Italians set a high value on environment and ecology, that is why driving is even forbidden in big cities on special days.

More than 90% of the Italians are Catholics.
Italy is the cradle of Catholicism, that is why paying church tax is considered to be quite normal among the Italians. Although this tax isn't obligatory, almost every citizen pays 0.8% of their income.