Fit in with the locals and avoid embarrassment by using the right phrase.

As you plan your trip to Italy, remember to pack this phrasebook! It is the only one that not only has the words and phrases you need to communicate clearly but also explains how to use them. With this knowledge, you will enjoy your journey and make a good impression on the Italians as you visit their country.

Useful Italian phrases and their correct usage:
Buongiorno!Good morning. (Boo-ON-JOR-no)
To avoid embarrassment, when greeting a woman it is better to just say Buongiorno! and not Buongiorno, signora / signorina (Good morning, ma'am / Miss).Potrebbe portarmi il conto, per favore? Could you please bring me the bill? (Po-TREB-beh por-TAR-mee eel KOHN-toh pair fah-VO-reh)
In the bill you will always find a charge of a few euros for the coperto (cover charge) and servizio (service) to pay for service and bread.
Scusi, dov'è l'obliteratrice? Pardon me, where is the ticket-validating machine? (SCOO-zee doh-VEH lo-blee-tair-ah-TREE-cheh)You really have to make sure you validate your ticket before boarding a train, because the controllore (train officer) will surely check your ticket while traveling.
Una carta telefonica per gli Stati Uniti, per favore. A phone card for the United States, please.(OO-nah CAHR-tah teh-leh-FO-nee-cah pair lyee STAH-tee Oo-NEE-tee pair fah-VO-reh)
If you need to call your family at home in North America, the cheapest way is to use a carta telefonica internazionale (international phone card).

Perfect Phrases in Italian for Confident Travel - häftad, Engelska, 2009