Check Please
 

Does anyone have any tips for how to politely receive a restaurant check in Italy? Besides the food, one of the wonderful things about dining in Italy is that you are not rushed to finish and leave so the restaurant can turn the table. However, that positive attribute can turn into a negative when you do wish to leave and cannot receive the bill. I have tried many ways to receive the bill, from using my admittedly poor Italian language skills to politely ask for the bill, to otherwise indicating our desire to leave, which have either been unsuccessful or seem to have offended our host. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've never had difficulty getting the check in Italy, once I've finally decided I wanted it. As you mention, one is never rushed from the table. The two methods that have always worked:

Say "il conto" (the check)
add "per favore" (please) to be polite

OR

Catch the eye of the waitstaff and use universal sign language for "I want the check": Hold up one hand like a pad of paper and scribble with other hand like you're writing on it.

il conto works for me, usually with a grazie behind it.

Since I've always been treated with great politeness in Italy, I can say I've not had any trouble getting the check, whether by signalling, asking, or just catching the waiter's eye.

One other universal way to bring the check, which I've used in the US only when I've been truly ignored or treated rudely. I stand up, and start to gather my belongings. Brings the waiter/waitress immediately.

The advice so far is good, except for one thing: In some restaurants in Italy, the waiters have a habit of disappearing (so how do you signal that you want the check?).

I don't think it's malicious of them or indicative of poor service. They just seem to think that you want to be left alone for a couple of hours.

I do have one suggestion: When the waiter takes your order, try saying (in whatever language you can communicate in), "I must meet a friend in one hour. Can you please be sure to bring me the check by then?"