Does anyone know the "customary" way to calculate a tip in Italy? I don't want to insult and waiter, taxi driver or hotel employee. I want to do what would be correct. Thank you.
Posted by
Folsom,CA / Roma, Italy
14 posts
Tipping is not expected or customary in Italy. If you desire you can round the bill to the next Euro... or leave a euro on the table.
-Chris
Posted by
Dallas, TX, USA
1170 posts
Don't expect to have to pay a tip. But if you want to leave a little extra, any would be appreciated, especially if you intend on eating at a restaurant more than once. You will be remembered by your waiter the next time around. In tourist areas, there will usually be a notation on the menu as to whether or not gratuity is included in the bill.
Posted by
Albert Lea
67 posts
When paying with a credit card we tried to add a tip on at the end of the receipt like we do in the US but our waiter pointed out that when he brings the bill for our signature it is to late to add the tip. He said if we want to give a tip to tell him when we are done eating. Another brave waiter asked us at the end of the meal if we wanted to add a tip on. Guess he knew us Americans usually do. After that we only tipped if we planned to return to an exceptional place.
Posted by
St.Cloud, Florida, US
93 posts
We didn't tip out of obligation while in Italy. In Venice we had a snooty waiter that complained "Mario get's to tip, poor Mario"...that had the opposite effect on us. Now we did choose to leave a couple euro for hotel staff and anyone we felt treated well. But it was totally by choice.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
It's true that when the waiter brings you the credit card slip to sign, there is no place for a tip, so we would leave cash. It was so hard to leave less than 10%, since many years ago we both waited tables. But Italian waiters are paid a much higher wage than their American counterparts.
Posted by
Florence, OR, US
267 posts
My Italian friend told me waiters do not expect to be tipped in Italy. If you really want to know for sure, ask "E servizio incluso?" (eh sehr-VEET-see-oh in-CLOO-soh) which means "is the service included"?
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
If you sit down, you are paying a service charge. When you go into an Italian pizza place and they offer you a seat, they are offering you service - and a service charge. If you just want something to go, say so. I've seen many people sit down to order then take their food, when it arrives, pay the bill (with a service charge) and leave.