In Italy, the bill is rarely brought to your table automatically, as it is considered rude for a waiter to rush guests; therefore, you must explicitly ask for it. The most standard and polite phrase is "Il conto, per favore" (The bill, please), pronounced eel kon-toh pehr fah-voh-reh. If you want to be slightly more formal, you can say, "Posso avere il conto?" (Can I have the bill?). It is also common to use a subtle hand gesture—mimicking writing in the air—while catching the waiter's eye if the restaurant is particularly busy. It’s worth noting that tipping culture in Italy is different than in North America; a service charge (servizio) or a cover charge (coperto) is often already included. While leaving a few extra euros is appreciated for excellent service, it is not an obligatory percentage of the total. Always ensure you are ready to pay when you ask, as the waiter will usually bring a portable card terminal or expect you to follow them to the front till.