Che Bella Figura!: The Power of Performance in an Italian Ladies' Club in Chicago (SUNY Series in Speech Communication)

Literally translated, fare bella figura means "to make a beautiful figure", and figuratively it refers to the act of putting on a good show, performance, or display. The author uncovers the "real rules" of an Italian "ladies" club by analyzing their language and behavior. In so doing, she gives examples of the historical and linguistic importance of this concept, as well as its potential for cross-cultural misunderstanding.