An American student named Andrew decided to study abroad in Italy for a semester. It his day of departure to Italy and he hops on the plane full of excitment. He lands in Italy hours later and grabs a ride to his host family's home. When arrives at the home he says, "Hello! Caio" and sticks his hand out for a hand shake. The Italian host mother says, [[Ciao! and shakes Andrew's hand]] [[Ciao! (Then goes for a kiss on the cheek)]] Andrew happily goes to shake the host mother's hand. He says, "I'm Andrew. Come sta? (How are you?)". The host mother says, [[benvenuto! Come inside, are you hungry?]] Andrew is very surprised by this. He moves back in order to avoid this close contact with someone he is meeting for the first time. There is awkward silence. The woman is unsure how to take this and says, [[Well, you must be hungry after travling, why don't we go inside.]] Andrew says, "I am pretty hungry". He follows the host mother into her house where there is a table full of home-cooked food. The rest of his host family is at the table and greet him with "ciao!" They invite him to sit and eat with them. [[Andrew bashfully takes small amounts of food]] [[Andrew takes a lot of food because he is very hungry]] Andrew says, "I am pretty hungry". He follows the host mother into her house where there is a table full of home-cooked food. The rest of his host family is at the table and they greet him "ciao!" They invite him to sit and eat with them. [[Andrew bashfully takes small amounts of food]] [[Andrew takes a lot of food because he is very hungry]] Andrew, out of politness, does not take a lot of food. [[Host mother encourages him to eat more.]] Andrew fills his plate full of delicious food and begins to devour the food. Some of the family thinks that this is [[greedy]] Andrew continues to take very little amount of food as he is trying to be polite. The host mother says, [[Is the food not good?]] [[Are you not hungry?]] Andrew is surpirsed by this, of course he loves the food. [[It is delicious! May I have some more?]] Andrew is says, "oh yes I am hungry... [[It is delicious! May I have some more?]] The family begins to have a bit of distaste for Andrew however engage in conversation. The family is begins to talk at the same time. Andrew tried to join into the conversation but is interrupted by many people at the table. [[Andrew is upset because he thinks this is rude]] [[Andrew continues to try to join the conversation]] Andrew is used to turn-taking in which silence is considered polite and means that the person is listening to him as he speaks. However, in Italy, it is polite and means the person is listening when the conversation is loud and interruptive. This type of back-channeling is valued in Italy while it is rude in America. Andrew begins to realize this and starts to appriciate that the family is trying to make him feel welcome in their home. Andrew is used to turn-taking in which silence is considered polite and means that the person is listening to him as he speaks. However, in Italy, it is polite and means the person is listening when the conversation is loud and interruptive. This type of back-channeling is valued in Italy while it is rude in America. However, Andrew is aware of this cultural difference and engages in conversation. He continues to enjoy the meal and getting to know his host family. Of course, please! Please eat! She hands him more food. The family begins to engage in conversation. The family begins to talk at the same time. Andrew tries to join into the conversation but is interrupted by many people at the table. [[Andrew is upset because he thinks this is rude]] [[Andrew continues to try to join the conversation]]