Some families got Christmas turkey dinners, others got stories and... caviar.

Given a list of Italian phrases to bury (like a running dog), Monti could start there.

Can't-live-without-them items are really cultural baggage in clever disguise.

Cross-cultural relationships are many things, but easy isn't among them.

If the Great Depression unhinged the country, hard work rebuilt it.

If you go to Alaska, why not continue on to China? It's only 1,000 miles more.

Based on Francis Fukuyama's definitions, Italy remains mired in patrimonialism.

Going to a son's graduation after Italian political turmoil brings mixed emotions.

In Italy's back rooms are many members of an influential Catholic movement.

Italy's commander-in-chief is a product of what he 'stole' from postwar legend.

In upside down Italy, cheating means getting ahead and omertà is honorable.