When to use formal and informal

When starting with the first lesson they use the informal e tu and come stai. I am visiting Italy soon and do not know any body. It does not help me to learn the informal form, or can you use the informal form with strangers on vacation. If not, this learning program is not helping with real life situations in Italy and is confusing to try to learn formal and informal when I will only be using formal.

It is useful to know when to use the informal or the formal but, from my experience, Italians are delighted that you are trying to speak their language. Do not be frightened to speak the language in case you offend someone. You won't. Go for it.

Ciao Tutti! Come stai? While my post is not addressing formalities of speech, I would like to share my first experience attempting to speak with native Italians. I asked a barista behind the counter for two cups of cappuccino to go please. In Italian I said: "due cappuccino andare per favore". What I should have said so I was told latter was: "due cappuccino porta via per favore". The barista smiled knowing what I wanted and gave me two cups of cappuccino to go. Literally it means "two cappuccino take away please". Am I close?

Ciao a tutti, in Italian is very important to know when to use both forms. Generally if you don't know people you need to address them with the polite form "Lei". We usually care about it in the day by day life. But please remember that you are learners and Italians love to hear a foreigner make the effort to speak the language. For this reason don't worry if you are addressing to a person you don't know using "tu" :). and .. if you need a take capuccino, you will need to say: " due cappuccini da portare via (or "da asporto") per favore" (literally "two cappuccino to take away please"). I hope this help. Ciao

How do you ask if you may use "tu" instead of "Lei" in conversation? Is it appropriate to do so with someone that you don't know, but is similar in age to you?

Ciao John, if you have been introduced to someone of your age for example, you can definitely ask to use "tu" . You will need to say: "Le posso dare del tu?" I hope this helps. Ciao