Having worked quite a bit in Italy on various tours, I must agree that the lifestyle/ work ethic is completely different. Two hour meals breaks, loose starts times, etc. But I have found the Italians to come up with some wonderfully creative solutions in times of need.
If you need more structure, try Germany or the Netherlands.
Keep an eye out in Spain, France and Italy. They take unions VERY seriously and like to strike. (and I don't mean load-out)
As for stage managing bilingually, reading Spanish should not be that difficult, it is phonetic. If are from any remotely urban area of the US, you probably hear it being spoken every day anyway.
Having stage managed in foreign languages, my advice is to be honest about what you understand (ask for them to repeat slower or explain using different words if necessary) and be willing to laugh at your own mistakes.
A great resource is the book "Theatre Words" It helps even those who are bilingual but don't experience with theatre vocabulary in their second language.
http://www.theatrewords.com/orderpage.html