Ordering Food in Rome

On the first day we arrived in Rome we went to an amazing bakery in which I got a suppli and some pizza. I noticed that the way people order food in Rome is much different than America.  On the first day, we first waited in line to order our food and chose what we wanted, after that, they gave us a ticket with what we got on it and than we paid for it. After paying for the food is when we went and got our food, instead of usually like in America where you get your food first and then pay. I witnessed this also at a gelato shop. When we went to the gelato shop, first we paid for what size ice-cream we wanted and then we went and waited in line to order what flavor we wanted. I was shocked by this because the cones and whip cream were both free, the only thing that was paid for was the amount of ice-cream we received. In America, it is nothing like that. To receive whip cream at Ben and Jerry’s is another 50 cents and to add a waffle cone is another $1.75. It is mind boggling to me how much cheaper not only the ice-cream is here, but also how the extra add ons were not charged for.