Certainly some of us don't have the most convincing accents and my English-as-a-mothertongue accent is apparent, but we're in Italy! Isn't there a saying that in Rome, do as the Romans do? It doesn't stop there either. Sometimes, when I feel extra annoyed, I will continue to speak in Italian and add on...siccome siamo in Italia...(seeing as we are in Italy...). Would you believe that there have been instances where the person has continued to go on in English?! And I know, I know, they are just being kind. And I really do want to give them a pat on the back for showing me their mastery of the English language. It's not about being "above" English either, by gosh I'm grateful to speak it as my first language. But I just want to speak and improve my Italian please and grazie.
I would like to point out that this actually can create huge issues for expats who are never forced to learn the language of their new country because everyone is getting well-versed in English. I feel for you. Again, I'm all for helping out the expats and tourists when they're struggling to be understood and have no idea what to order off the menu and etc, etc. Just please stop ruining the atmosphere of being in Italy by shoving the English menu in my hand when I reserved the table in completely comprehensible Italian.