I do Not accept help from strangers, so this means I endure the hot hour-long wait to buy my train tickets from a ticket agent at Termini. Except for this morning.
The guy was dressed casual, clean, not persistent, just sharing with me how easy it is to use the ticket machine. And he spoke good English.
But I want the fast train, i informed him.
The machines do fast trains, he said.
But I want First Class.
They do First Class.
But I have Euro Cash.
They take Cash.
Indeed, some machines are clearly marked as taking cash, and they give Change back!
He invited me to visit a machine and offered to take me thru the transaction.
It's a touch screen, he made selections after checking with me, and I got my First Class ticket on a Fast Train, and my change.
The waiters at Mangrovia told me that a 5 Euro tip was too much, one or two Euro tip is expected, but I feel OK about it. I did not want to dig for Euro coins, the 5 Euro bill was handy, part of the change, and he never asked for a tip.
He was just so sweet to me, truly helpful, patient, and it was worth avoiding that long hot wait for an agent. I learned something new this morning and appreciate that.
The waiters said that even they were intimidated by the machines at first, but also let the helpers show them, and they tip them as well.
My helper said he will be at my track Sunday morning, but I travel with only my RS carry-on, and a RS Euro shoulder bag, so I can manage track-side!