tipping airport chauffeur and atm use

I have not tipped a chauffeur- it was my understanding that the price is inclusive. I’ve used Rome Cabd, Rome Shuttle Limo, and services arranged by the hotel. All roughly 50euros to/from center - fco airport for a car for 4 people with one suitcase each.

ATM - yes, clear. Most of the time you can select the British Flag for English (there are almost always a few language choices, illustrated by the national flag, if so English is always a choice. If it’s Italian only it’s pretty intuitive but you can always go to a different machine if confused). Remember - British flag doesn’t mean you’re British (it’s not asking your nationality), it just means English language.
If it asks if you want to be charged in USDollars or Euros pick Euros - the rate is better.

We sometimes tip, if we are asking a lot of questions about sites, restaurants etc. Just a Euro or so. As for ATM there should be a UK flag to push for English. As the writer above said, settle up in Euros, not Dollars.

When using ATMs, you usually select the language first. Then you'll be asked to choose the type of transaction, with a cash withdrawl often listed as an International Withdrawl. Next you'll enter your PIN and then choose the amount you wish to withdraw. You'll see set amounts (sometimes listed as Fast Cash) or you can choose your own amount. You'll be asked to confirmed the amount and whether you want a receipt (always a good idea to say Yes). Finally, you'll be asked whether you want dynamic currency conversion, which posters here routinely suggest you decline as the conversion rates offered are VERY poor. Retrieve your card as soon as it ejects and then retrieve your cash. AMTs allow only 30 seconds for these 2 steps, so your card could get "eaten" by the ATM if you spend too much time counting your cash before you retrieve the card.

Note that the latest generation of ATMs now offer an option the choose your withdrawl amount by denomination of banknote (you can pick the mix of 20's and 50's), but I've only seen them at a few BNL branches so far.

To avoid getting only €50 notes at ATM’s, choose an amount not divisible by 50 or if you can specify an amount, enter something like €170 or €230.

I used Rome Chauffeurs, and yes, I did tip. But, I tend to always tip.

"With using an ATM, is it clear what buttons to push to withdraw money using a debit card? Do you insert card, enter pin, choose language and then everything is clear from there?"

Yes, except you often choose language before entering your PIN. Don't worry, it's quite easy. And yes, do ask for an amount ending in -30 or -80, so you get at least one €10 and one €20 note. So, if you want €400, ask for €380 or €430 instead.

Convert your bank's daily limit into euros now, and remember (or write down) the number. That way, even jet lagged, you'll know how much to request. The ATM will only ask how many euros you want. If your transaction is rejected, try a lower amount.

But do remember to reject dynamic currency conversion. It can often be phrased in sneaky ways, such as, "would you like to lock in a rate of $XXX.xx?" You want "proceed without conversion." You may then get a dire warning, such as "the rate will be set by your bank and is not guaranteed." Don't worry - your bank will have a much better rate than the one used with dynamic currency conversion.

The rule is, if you see US dollars anywhere in a transaction, it's trouble! You should only see local currency (in this case euros). This never used to be an issue at ATM's, but in the past few years has become much more prevalent.

Many of the ATMs I've used do not have €10 notes. Occasionally I run into one that doesn't even have €20 notes. If you ask for an amount the ATM cannot dispense because of the specific denominations available, there will usually be a meaningful error message, but sometimes the machine will not be specific, so you'll be left wondering about whether it is empty or you have perhaps asked for an amount above its transaction limit.

I've run into machines that didn't have €10's, but never had one that didn't have €20's (not saying Acraven is wrong, just that it's rare).

However, her point is important. Sometimes you get a clear error message, but sometimes your transaction request will just be rejected with no reason ("Your transaction cannot be processed"). If that happens, don't panic; try a lower amount, and try an even number amount.

You have to tip nobody in Italy, they write it only because they know most English speaking customers are used to tip. If you were italian they wouldn't even dare to ask 15% more without a reason. When you tip you create a double standard that will affect all foreign tourists in the future, it's not rude only towards Italians.

An ATM (aka Bancomat) properly working should automatically switch to English when you insert a non Italian card. Otherwise just push the UK flag to change language.