The double cheek kiss (bacio sulle guance) is standard between friends and acquaintances. Start left cheek. If you go right, you’ll bump noses.
Plan your trip →Business/formal first meeting: handshake. Social first meeting (introduced by friends): often a double kiss already. Friends/acquaintances: always double kiss. Men to men: depends on region and closeness. More common in the south. A handshake + shoulder grab is the safe middle ground. The kiss: it’s cheek-to-cheek with an air kiss sound. Lips don’t touch the cheek. Left cheek first (your left), then right.
Buongiorno: "good day" (morning until ∼3pm). Buona sera: "good evening" (from ∼3pm). Ciao: informal, friends only. Using "ciao" with someone older or in a formal context is rude. Arrivederci: formal goodbye. Salve: neutral, neither formal nor informal — the safe option. Titles: Signore/Signora. Dottore/Dottoressa (for anyone with a university degree, not just doctors). Italians use titles more than most Europeans.