I was quite surprised that in Italy interviewers on television often address even government ministers by their surname. Obviously it is considered quite normal and not disrespectful at all. Different language, different customs.

The President, the Presidents of both houses of government and Senators are addressed by their titles however. In the workplace it is traditional to address senior people by their professional qualification, ie. Engineer, Architect, etc. or if they have a doctorate in a non professional field of study they would be addressed as Dottor (Doctor) or Dottoressa.

Peter

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