Images of national character cannot be explained by information alone. The values and actions of the citizens help define their national image. Social experiences, social knowledge, and social stereotypes help determine each country's national character. Even though Italy has close ties to other European countries, it still possesses an identity all its own. Culture and tradition, rather than physical characteristics, give Italians their sense of individuality.
             In a 1987 fieldwork study, Italians were perceived as spontaneous, expressive, open, lively, uninhibited, and sociable (Wilterdink, 44). They live a life full of extraordinary animation and passion. The commotion begins at dawn and continues into the small hours of the night. Noisy, elated, happy, energetic, busy people swarm streets, piazzas, and marketplaces. Uniformed carabinieri with their stern, serious faces perch on their motorcycles watching and guarding the day to day daily activities. The priests stroll slowly, housewives bear heavy shopping bags, wild youth with long hair and blue jeans swagger about, crowds of young men flirt with pretty girls, and children play through crowded streets. People believe that a bit of flirting and mutual attraction in the office will help ease working tensions and provide a more fun workplace (Powell, 14). Carts, shop windows, and stalls flaunt vegetables, flowers, fruits, toys, clothes, shoes, and fishes in the colorful confusion and disarray pouring from their abundance of goods, everything displayed everywhere in dramatic and artistic disorder. Owners strategically place café tables so leisurely drinkers can observe the busy people. The noises are usually deafening. People chat, sing, swear, whistle, shout, cry, howl...some in the midst of intense discussions; others immersed in delicate negotiations. One can always hear someone playing a musical instrument or singing a popular song. Vespas,
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