Phoning Home: Don't make any phone calls from a pay phone. Ever. Just don't. Instead, buy a prepaid phone card at the local news stand or tabacco shop; A 5 Euro card will get you about 200 minutes talking time to the US.

Waiting for the bill: Italian waiters consider it very rude to bring diners their check before they are ready. Hence, they won't bring it to you at all unless you ask for it.