Italy tipping trends: Restaurants, private taxi tour/pick-up?

You don't need to tip anyone in Italy. They make a living wage unlike some in the service industry in the States. For restaurants, if there is a service charge leave nothing. If there isn't then you can leave a few euros. Nothing like 10%, just 2-3 euros, depending on the restaurant. If it's very high end then raise that amount. For the driver, if he helps with luggage then a few euros is fine. For the tour, again, a few euros is fine or you can offer to buy him lunch. Donna

Tipping in resturant is a pet peeve of mine. Most resturants already include the service charge which is about $2.50 Euros per person. If so, as RS says just round up the number. Don't round it up too much! They do try to take advantage of it. Also be warned, if you have a $43 Euro bill for dinner and the service charge is included if you give the waiter a $50 Euro bill you will not get change unless you make it clear you want it! Ask for it! They do take advantage of the American tourists who are use to a 15% to 20% automatic tip. I will say that if I do give good service I will leave an extra 10% if the service fee is included. I simply appreciate people being nice and not trying to take advantage. and I tip generously in that case.

I don't think Tom means that what he says is true for ALL restaurants in Italy, but it is true for a surprising amount. The old "no change unless you insist" scam is one we've fallen into. That's why it's always smart to try to manage your cash so you always have smaller bills and 1 and 2 euro coins.

So...since I am about to leave for Italy in a few weeks, how do you ask for change in Italian? Can I just say, "bring me the change, por favore?" Kaye
Folsom,CA

Thanks all for your advice. We've been leaving a bit more ... maybe 10 percent. But, I know now to only do that if the service is exceptional. Otherwise, I think I've stuck to the round up a Euro or two otherwise. Thanks for the info on the taxi ... at 110 Euro for the ride, I'm glad to know I don't need to tack on an additional 15-20. Finally, we've had no problem just asking for "change please," when necessary. But I haven't had any issues with people not bringing it either ... always easier to just tell them you want change though, so as to not make any confusion. One bright note: When we got a taxi from the Rome termini to our hotel (the Metro was on strike!), the driver included a couple extra Euro charge because of our luggage. I was so happy he took us directly to the hotel, that I let him keep a few Euro change as well. He was so thankful, he rolled our bags all the way down the street for us and walked us right to the hotel door. I didn't regret the extra tip then, and haven't yet!

Kaye: You could say, "Vorrei il resto", or "Mi porterebbe il resto, per favore?", or even more gushy, "Gentilmente mi porterebbe il resto, per favore?" I would stick with the first one, or just say it in English. They know the word "change". You don't have to tip in Italy. Americans have serious tipping guilt and feel they must leave at least something. But it is really not required. I remember one time I tried to give a cab driver, who I thought did an exceptional job, a certain amount extra (let's say 5 Euro). He insisted that I not give him that much because it was clearly a really splashy tip. He was probably 1 in a million, but still, they don't expect you to tip, though maybe they hope you will.

Renne, I can't agree with you more. I like to reward good service with a bit more than usual. I particularily appreciate good service when I am on vacation in a foriegn country. It really makes you feel welcome so I like to say thank you.