DO NOT SAY "CIAO" IN ITALY

We don't say "ciao" in Italy.

Well, we usually say "ciao" to greet friends, relatives or someone we are very close to, but we would never say "ciao" in a formal situation. It is a very informal and familiar greeting, and you can't use it whenever you like.

Italy is one of the most-visited countries in the world, so it is likely to hear tourists say "ciao" when greeting staff in a restaurant or hotel.  
I hate to break your heart, but an Italian native speaker would say "buongiorno" or "buonasera" when entering a restaurant and "arrivederci" when leaving. 

Each country has so many different ways to greet people, and I admit it is hard to remember all of them!

So, next time you visit Rome, Florence or Verona, I hope you'll remember my hint.