I am Italian and I really enjoyed reading your article! I hate the "burocratese", the Italian way to explain laws and all the legal stuff, because it is quite hard to understand. I've never considered that our signs include many words and I think that we are more direct in spoken language. Of course, as I am doing right now, we love to explain things, give our opinion, specify the reason of a particular behaviour to follow...without mentioning that something is recommended by law, people could tend no to take the advice seriously. When we speak we go definitely more straight to the point. I lived in Austria for six years and Austrians use to say everything in such a kind and polite way, with many "thanks" and "you're welcome", and negative opinions are also "hidden" by all this kindness, while with signs they may seem quite rude.