tipping

There is no need to tip in Italy. If you want to give a couple of euros that's fine but I wouldn't tip more than 10euros total for a day tour. If it's just a sites tour then a few euros is fine if you "must".

Donna

I tipped tour guides a minimum of 5 euro for a site tour. For drivers, often they would help me out by asking for a total amount, tip included. I always appreciated and respected their input and gave them their asking price.
Oddly, i always had that very same total ready to give them anyway.
When Im in Italy, I never think I don't have to tip. I tip my waiters, drivers, guides, and housekeeping staff.

You tip most likely because you're American and it's our culture. In Italy it isn't the culture. There is no need to tip everyone like there is here. You don't need to tip the waiter and I would never tip someone who told me what the amount should be. Tip is you feel you "must" but it's not necessary.

Donna

Please tip. If you can afford to go, then you can tip. Don't give a black eye to the tourists who will come after.
It's their living.

oklahoma, it is NOT their living. Their living is a proper wage rate. Don't mess with the local culture.

Read this thread from 2012 re: tipping in Italy

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/italy-tipping-trends-restaurants-private-taxi-tour-pick-up

also here's RS's tipping 'tips'

http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/tipping-in-europe

Norma is correct.

Actually Im Italian! LOL! Tipping creates such goodwill for me, great standing at ristoranti and B and Bs, and always an invitation to return. I have had the entire staff at Convent B and B's accompany me outside to the taxi, hug me goodby, and wave and blow kisses as I drive away. Many hosts buy me going away presents.
I always leave coins behind on the night table for the next traveler for good fortune. I did not make that up. Someone did that for me in Firenze and so I passed it on.
The Italian culture is face saving, don't ask for anything, and don't accept anything even if badly needed. I watched my parents do that their whole lives.
At the dinner table in Italian homes, guest diners accept seconds only after saying No thanks many times. The host is Not deterred by a No, but encouraged! LOL!
I just like the FUN tipping creates for me, it's a cortesia, and it adds a meaningful and respectful dimension to whatever transpires between humans in transient places.
When Im in Italia, i make myself part of their culture, and tipping enables me to do that, to move in a little closer to them, see and experience things otherwise not available. Tipping is a creative act for me, it enriches my travel life.
As for drivers who ask for a tip, Im happy to tip them. It's more important for me to create peace and harmony and move on. I have nothing to prove, Im still a guest in their country and if tipping enables the best experience possible, I can do that.

Money cannot buy love but it can buy smiles and if the smiles make you feel good you are getting value for money. I get the smiles without paying for them because Italians are just, on the whole, naturally nice.

You should respect their culture and not try to push yours off on them as being normal. The only ones who tip in Italy are Americans. You don't need to tip for anything.

Donna

Hey Gals, you are free to choose how you travel, just as I am free to choose how I travel. I made No accusations or charges in my posts, and If you feel I am disrespectful, pushy, and buying smiles, well I say you misunderstood my posts and know Nothing about Italian culture.

I'd love to get in the middle of this, but political correctness (and an instinct for survival) prevents it. Roberto, where are you when we need you!