To anyone who may live in Italy;
Grazie per la vostra ospitalita!

My personal and non-professional tourist recommendations.
* Drink the house wine. I'm not a wine expert but these were good and quite inexpensive.
* Try new foods most Americans wouldn't consider "Italian" typically.
* Be courteous
* Drink the wine-did I mention that?
* Walk in the cities, at most take the bus and still see the sights when you can. Walking will help allow you to eat more great food.
* Many gracious Italians speak English or will try to, learn more Italian than I have so far.

Can any travelers or residents tell me why the merchants are so reluctant to hand out change? In the US most cashiers have already counted out the change before you can check to see if you have it. In Italy, they are always asking for it, sometimes even asking for 12 euros on a 7 euro bill and you initially gave them a 10 euro note.

I think maybe coins are in short supply - I often leave the local supermarket owing them a few cents until the next time I go because they would rather that than give me change.

The 12 euros on a 7 euro bill is very common in Italy. This way, they can give you a 5 euro note instead of 3€ in coins. As Markymark says, there are often problems with coins, and merchants prefer to give change in notes.

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I think it's more an old habit that hasn't died. When the Lira was in circulation, there was a shortage of coins, and shopkeepers would give sweets and credit notes instead of change. With the euro I can't believe that this still the case, otherwise it would happen in all the eurozone countries.

That's good to know, i'll try to remember that once i have moved. makes sense.. thanks, zid