Tipping and Euro question

I would not tip a water taxi. Consider the tip is included in the price. Same for private driver in Naples. I do occasionally tip tour guides if they were especially helpful. Restaurants generally just round up the bill and tell them to keep the change if it results in a 5% tip or thereabouts. Since I used to drive a cab years ago, I have a soft spot for taxi drivers and also use the round up method.

I don't know why you would want to pay a premium to get a large amount of EUR in North America and haul them all over Italy, where they could be lost or stolen. There are ATM's everywhere and you can just get cash when you need it. Always decline any option to have your bank charged in your home currency. Let the credit card clearing process deal with the currency conversion. It will be at the best possible rate at that time.

You don't have to tip anyone in Italy.

Tipping is an American craze.

Land and water taxi drivers own both the license and the boat, it would be like tipping the plumber.

Like Waiters, if your guides want to make more money it's their boss problem, not yours. Anyone asking for a tip is doing it because they know you are from a tipping culture. They would never dare to do the same with italians who would laugh at the idea of mandatory tips.

I am just thinking about all of the tours, etc where I need cash and
not sure if I will be able to get enough out everyday for these tours

You shouldn't need to get cash EVERY day. Check with your bank for the max amount of ATM withdrawal your ATM card allows daily and increase that amount temporarily if needed. You should tell your bank where and when you'll be traveling anyway so they know not to freeze your account if they see an unusual transaction on your card. Same with your credit cards.

Although increasing your daily withdrawal may help, that doesn't mean that every machine is going to give you that amount: some have limits on how much they'll dispense at one time. If your transaction is declined, try a lesser amount. You should also have more than one ATM card as a backup (my husband and I each have one, and for different accounts). Oh, and we never use our credit cards for cash, only our ATM debit cards.

None of your booked tours can be paid for with a credit card?

Your question about euros was also addressed in this previous post?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/first-timers-more-questions

And your question about tipping. I guess we aren't alone after all.

https://www.businessinsider.com/guide-to-tipping-around-the-world-2012-1

Your only get euro in the US prior to traveling if you don't mind paying a 10% or more premium to purchase the euro. Since you are using several private drivers, this is probably not a budget trip so paying extra for the euro in advance may not be significant for you. The cheapest and most convenient way is to use a debit card at a bank own ATM.

I always get Euros before I leave home so I will have one less thing to worry about. I don't get any bills larger than a 20, because I hate to pay for small purchases with big bills. My husband and I split up the money between the two of us, so neither of us is holding all the cash! I like to pay for tours in advance, and generally, we use as little as cash as possible. Our credit card is linked to my AAdvantage account, and we like to build up those miles for our next trip. We use our credit cards as much as possible at home for the same reason. Of course, our credit card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

On our last trip, which was to Spain, my husband and I thought we had used up all our Euros after we paid the taxi driver who dropped us off at BCN. We had to use our remaining coins to have enough to pay the guy. When we got home, I found a 5 Euro bill in the inside pocket of my day pack.

In Italy, we will add a few Euros to the bill if the service was good, but nowhere near 20%. In taxis, we won't ask for change if we pay with a 10 for an 8 Euro trip, if the driver was nice, but otherwise don't tip. We take a lot of small-group tours, and we will tip the guide up to 20 Euros for a truly outstanding experience. I've noticed that is what most of the other people on the tours do as well. I've never taken a bus tour or a free walking tour in Europe - so I have no first hand experiences to relate.

Tipping a taxi driver in Italy is like tipping your dentist after he has charged you $2000 for a crown.
Taxi drivers pay on average €200,000 to purchase the license, in Venice a water taxi license can cost €400,000. People who have that type of money don’t need my tip.

The only time you need to tip is for 'free tours'; those people have to pay for the guest bookings and so if you don't pay them they literally lose money. They work for tips. Elsewhere you may find waiters or others begging for tips; they don't do this to locals only to gullible tourists. In the US in many states waiters make about 2.25 an hour; it is theft of their labor not to tip -- it may be a ridiculous way to pay people but it is the way it is done here. IN Europe people have health care, and salaries they can live on. Tipping is not the norm.

As an American it does make us uncomfortable to not tip. But please, respect what the locals do and do not tip or tip excessively. For taxi or other public transportation services I round up. For good service at a restaurant I tip 5%.

I always get a nominal amount of Euro before leaving. I find it comforting to have especially if you are transferring in an EU airport and want a snack or drink.

We always bring some euros- we like having on hand so we don't need to worry about getting money for a day or 2. It's one less thing to think about on arrival when we are jet lagged and a bit discombobulated. And we save euro coins after each trip so we have a few of those on arrival for bathrooms, snacks at airports etc.

Tips at restaurants- we usually leave whatever small coins are left- just because we don't like carrying all those coins around.

We do tip tour guides if deserved- but I am positive the Walk of Italy guides would not accept.

As Dario said, tipping is not required nor expected. Round up if you want, but that’s it. Definitely, no tipping like in the states. For Euros and Pounds, I always have some from previous trips, for the next one. Before coming back from a trip, we’ll stop at an ATM to get some for the next trip.

This is really pretty good on tipping in Italy. https://anamericaninrome.com/wp/2016/12/tipping-in-italy-and-what-to-expect-on-the-bill/

I often hear that service in restaurants in Europe isn't anywhere nearly as good as it is in the US. My first instinct is to say that the style of service they are refering to isn't "bad" but it is culturally different, and should be appreciated as part of the culture. Or is that just a rationalization of bad service? And would it be different in Europe if the service professionals who provided a higher level of service got greater reward for their efforts?

As for the $2.25/hr in the US, the restaurant still must show that with tips the employee received at least the Federal minimum wage.

I often hear that service in restaurants in Europe isn't anywhere nearly as good as it is in the US.

I actually find the service in the US to be awful and very annoying. Whether it's pouncing on you as soon as you enter a store with the obligatory "Hi, how are you?" before turning their back on you before you can either mutter a brief, "fine thank you". Or the false, patronising attititude when serving you at a restaurant, repeatedly returning to the table interrupting your conversation to ask if everything is alright, if I need something or have a request I'll get the attention of a server. And finally presenting you with the bill before you've baely had the chance to swallow your last morsel in the less than subtle hope that you'll vacate the table for the next customer. This isn't good service, it's fake sincerity and no consideration to how you want to enjoy your meal at a pace of your choosing. The reputation of the US as being a land of good service is not a valid one, perhaps it was decades ago but during my visits over the last ten years it is anything but.

I totally agree, How can a system that basically asks you to go away asap (bringing a bill nobody asked to make more tips from the next customers) be better?

It's just annoying with "a side dish" of fake smiles whose only obvious purpose is getting an higher tip.
Waiters are paid to bring food, not to act as happy servants from the 19th Century. It's embarrassing for both sides.

Incidentally, nobody thinks that the US is the land of good service in restaurants. Everybody thinks that the customer service management of US corporations in US to be fantastic because they are scared of lawsuits and compensation claims. It's just the "bigger stick" principle applied to everything, from consumers rights (good) to waiting on tables (bad).

ps A 5% tip for what? To help their bosses giving parts of their salaries under the table? While I have to pay for these fake poor workers health and retirement?

Hi -

Given how expensive they are, I definitely wouldn’t be tipping a Venice water taxi. That said, despite the costs, it is THE way to enter (and maybe leave) Venice! Our experience some years back was just what you’d expect - smartly leather jacketed young guy who hurtled us across the lagoon and then more sedately cruised the canals to our hotel, mobile phone clamped to his ear from start to finish! It was brilliant!

Have a great trip!

Ian

Someone said earlier that Walks of Italy guides would not take your tips. We took a Walks of Italy 13 hour Rome to Positano with Pompeii tour yesterday and the Gladiators Gate Colosseum/Forum tour this morning and I saw people tipping the guides 20 Euros....so yes, they will take your tip! :)

"I saw people tipping the guides 20 Euros" - I bet they were North American, giving the rest of us North Americans, who do not like to tip in great amounts, a bad name. We have to stop enforcing our culture on everyone else, and the culture of (huge) tipping is ridiculous.

Oh, service in European restaurants is better than in North America. Maybe because there is not such a mad rush to get served but wait staff in general can look after far more tables comfortably than they can here.

What would RS do?

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

For the people here with nasty words for American waitstaff, unless you've been one of those I'd ask you to please be kind? I HAVE been there and it's often an underpaid job for clueless management and patrons who can be demeaning, unreasonably demanding, loudly drunk, or even sexually sleazy. Seriously, you would not believe some the abuse people in the industry sometimes have to put up with.

The smile is probably not a "fake" put-on for a better a tip as much as just a "Please be nice to me?" Your server didn't create the system. It's not their fault if you think it's wrong so go easy on them.

Sorry for the rant but it bothers me when the disparagement comes from individuals who've probably never worn the apron.

Well said Kathy!

That Business Insider article is clueless. About Italy, they write:

Italy: Tipping no more than 10 percent is customary. Interestingly enough, tipping gondoliers and vaporettos is not customary.

First, since zero is technically "no more than 10 percent" I suppose the first sentence is true.
Second, the only examples they give (albeit as exceptions) are for Venice. And they seem surprised that you wouldn't tip a vaporetto??!! Would you tip a public transit bus driver?

I think everybody should read the article below, especially those who think that the tipping practice, so prevalent in America, is a good thing.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/18/i-dare-you-to-read-this-and-still-feel-ok-about-tipping-in-the-united-states/?utm_term=.30c16193397b

The article is subscription blocked but whether tipping is good or bad or at what point the bill should or should not be delivered is not really the issue here? It's about what is customary in the country the OP is traveling to.

For the people here with nasty words for American waitstaff, unless you've been one of those I'd ask you to please be kind?

Where are the nasty words? There's nothing nasty about highlighting the fake sincerity of those serving you or the blatant wanting to get you out of the door as soon as possible.

As for having "worn the apron", after I left the police (which I can assure you was a lot tougher than facing some disrespectful remarks from customers) I started my own catering business so I know exactly how demanding some customers can be so I'm not talking from a position of ignorance.

There were no nasty words towards American waitstaff, my intitial response was to rebuke the belief that American service is the best and my reasons for such a rebuke were given in my previous post.

It's all down to what you're used to. A classic example, and one I've read various posts with a similar theme, is where some American's feel that they've been purposefully ignored by waiters in European restaurants because they haven't been attended to as frequently as they'd like or that they waited ages for the bill or that no-body came over to top up their wine, water etc and the suspicion was that this was because they were American and therefore not welcome. The fact that this is typical service for ALL restaurants in Europe irrespective of the customer's nationality.

The approach towards eating is different in Europe (although this is gradually being worn away, particularly in the UK) in that a meal should be a leisurely, relaxed and enjoyable affair. Lunch shouldn't be something that's grabbed on the go and eaten as fast as you can, usually at your desk, so that you can get back to work. There's a reason that practically everything shuts during lunchtime in Spain (other than restaurants, bars, cafe's etc) and that's because people go home or out for lunch. Meals are meant to be leisurely and it's not unusual to expect to have your table for the entire night.

My favourite local restaurant is a small affair, yet my wife and I can be seated at 7:30 and know that we'll have the table for the entire evening even though the restaurant could easily fill it at 9.00 for example as the restaurant is so popular. Effectively they could double their income by telling people that they need to vacate by such a time by they don't because that's not the way restaurants operate here (although some busy central London chains have started doing this). My local restaraunt has one waitress and the owner who acts as front of house (her husband is the chef alongside a small kitchen team). Service is excellent but discrete, there is no rush, if you require anything then you simply make eye contact and the bill is only received when requested.

Well said JC, couldn't agree more.

Kathy I always tip in US doubling the taxes and I do it because it's your customs and I was told it's a fair amount.

I'd really like tourists to do the same in Italy. Just think of the long term consequences of tipping in a non tipping country. Spoiler: it ends up like central Rome, where most waiters simply can't get a job contract, service sucks and the average level of restaurants is awfully low. In the end locals get a worse service because waiters (who are paid under the table) know locals won't tip and there is always have a table of english speaking tourists to take care of.

Locals tell you "zero! don't tip!", but some tourists all over the Internet are always looking for another source that says what they want to hear.

As a matter of fact, a table of Italians wouldn't round the bill up because they want to reward a good service or because they feel obliged to do so. 99% of the times, Italians round up not to wait for the change and to make things easier for a tired waiter with too many tables waiting for change.

Dario, you've provided a very good example to counter the attitude of some posters on this site who claim that they will insist on tipping US style when in Europe because "who doesn't like free money?", or "I want to so why shouldn't I?" and so on. I know that most of these people are doing it for genuinely good intentions but far too often they fail to see the consequences, consequences that you have pointed out regarding Rome.

Thank you Dario.

There's no disagreement from me AT ALL that tourists should not tip in countries where its not the custom to do so. Dario, I hear you loud and clear, and not for the first time!

I just think that it can be explained without the discussion disintegrating yet again - as it happens frequently enough - into a rail against custom/customs which are different in the OP's country.

"It's just annoying with "a side dish" of fake smiles whose only obvious purpose is getting an higher tip."

"Waiters are paid to bring food, not to act as happy servants from the 19th Century."

"Nobody thinks that the US is the land of good service in restaurants."

"I actually find the service in the US to be awful and very annoying"

"...the false, patronising attititude when serving you at a restaurant,"

"..fake sincerity and no consideration."

The OP wasn't asking about dining in restaurants, just tipping drivers and tour guides. And what if our OP's occupation is waiting tables? How would the quotes above cause them to feel? There are any number of things that U.S. travelers to Italy/Europe may find different/inconvenient/confusing/annoying that can be explained without disparaging (yes, nasty) comparisons?

This is an "excited and a bit nervous" poster's very first trip abroad. That they even asked the question they did was a gesture of respect. It would be unfortunate to cause them to be even more nervous about making an unintentional misstep or their reception in a host country that views some of their visitors customs or service occupations with such disdain?

I never tip in Europe, although I will leave returned coins if the service was very good. Case in point - when you run your US CC thru their machines, there is nowhere to add a tip

When we were in Rome last moth, we had an awful dinner at a touristy restuarant because we were tired and it was convenient. Struck up a conversation with the elderly couple with an escorted tour group at the next table who said we sounded like we were from their neck of the woods (they were from GA and we are from NC). We both asked for our bills at the same time and they were discussing how much the tip should be based on the price of their meal. When I casually mentioned that tipping is not the custom in Rome, or Europe for that matter, they just replied that their tour guide told them to tip "only" 10-15%. I just said - "oh, we never tip" but they insisted that they were told 10-15% of meal as well as for other services, so the uniquely N. American custom of tipping is being perpetuated - whether by the tour company or the tour guide, I'm not sure.

Someone somewhere mentioned that maybe there was an "agreement" with the restaurant and the tour group, but the couple said that they were taking a break from the group and eating there on their own as it was close to where they were staying

Umm, I will tip toe in with my opinion, lol.

While traveling, people should respect the culture as much as they can. Some write bad reviews on how some waitstaff in Italy (and other countries) are rude and ignore patrons. That is not really true.

Also, if a person wants to slip a euro or two to the waiter for something they went above and beyond for, then hey...whatever. But, a standard tip on the bill for a non-tipping culture is not needed.

USA'ers are brainwashed (or made to feel guilty) into thinking a tip is deserved everywhere. Everyone has their hand or jar out.

In the States, it's customary to leave a tip with table service. 15%-20% < for excellent service) is good. Though, it is aggravating that restaurants expect patrons to supplement the very low wage. Some retailers don't pay a decent wage. So, should we now tip the bag person for putting groceries correctly in a bag? Should we tip the cashier for ringing up our sale correctly? When does it end?

And, the tipping "entitlement" is way, way out of hand. There is no need to tip if you pick up your own take out. There is no need to tip at DD, McD's, or similar places.

I bring my own luggage in to the terminal to be checked. Tipping a person to put a tag on your luggage and make sure it gets on the belt from outside? - huh? In that case, would you tip the desk agent at check in? Would you tip the baggage handler? - The people you need to entrust with your luggage.

Tipping at a bar for every single drink is absurd. First, establishments rob the person wanting to enjoy a cocktail or even a simple beer.

One time, meeting my parents at a restaurant, we had a waitress who kept coming over to our table "every 5 minutes" which was overkill. She was a pita. I was engaged in some conversation with my Dad. She came over, rudely interrupted, never said "excuse me," and proceeded to say some gibberish about the food to my Dad. I glared at her with 'the look.' She hung back after that, lol.

Tipping at a bar for every single drink is absurd.

Is that the custom in the US because I have begrudgingly been doing so ever since I've visited as I assumed it was customary and everyone around me appeared to be doing so? Although the girl at the bar in Philadelphia airport was really taking the piss by trying to keep my $20 change for two beers a a tip.

Is that the custom in the US because I have begrudgingly been doing so ever since I've visited as I assumed it was customary and everyone around me appeared to be doing so?

With most bars or clubs, yes, I think it's expected along with a dose of entitlement.

Some individuals may tip every drink; others tip every other while others wait until the final bill. It's a personal choice, but some or most tip per single order (at the bar.)

*Oops, forgot about those who set up a bar tab. Then it's tipping on the final bill, I would guess.

Drink prices have outrageously increased. People I know have started to host "friends' night" parties at home. But, it's nice to have a social night out too; have a drink or two and not break the bank or get eye-bullied into leaving a bigger tip.

Added* We work hard too and want to unwind a bit once in a while, listen to some music, have a cocktail. We don't need to leave our salary on the table. No one should dictate how much tip is to be given.

One dollar per drink is the minimum customary in the US.
What I find annoying is the waiter bringing you the bill without being asked, which basically means “Leave now unless you order more stuff!” That is however the rude practice camouflaged into “good fast service” in every American restaurant. If a waiter in Italy brought the bill to the table with Italian patrons without being asked, at best, it would be the last time those people would go to that restaurant, at worst, it would start an argument with the waiter and possibly with the restaurant owner.
If you expect a waiter in Italy to bring you the check promptly without your asking, you will be waiting for a long time.

What I find annoying is the waiter bringing you the bill without being asked, which basically means “Leave now unless you order more stuff!”

Yes, that is pretty much the norm unfortunately. It's distasteful to bring the check when you are still eating your meal or even dessert and coffee. The waitstaff brings that "faux leather" bill holder and says, "Whenever you're ready." Hmm.

I don't know about the very expensive restaurants though.

If a waiter in Italy brought the bill to the table with Italian patrons without being asked, at best, it would be the last time those people would go to that restaurant, at worst, it would start an argument with the waiter and possibly with the restaurant owner.

Hilarious. Hands going about. Aprons flying.

One dollar per drink is the minimum customary in the US.

Yes, that's what I've been doing unless usually we're at a restaurant with the kids so don't encounter drinks at the bar etiquette very often.

So, when I know that the waitress that has served me every morning for 10 years has college expenses to pay, I shouldn't slip her a little extra to help out? Hmmm. Reading the posts after my question did answer my question. Its cultural differences ... not just in tipping, but in tolerance and acceptance of the cultural differences is culturally different. Very revealing. And Kathy, I'm with you. Well said.

So, that's not really tipping is it? That's a long term relationship of whatever sort where one old friend helps another old friend. You'd do the same regardless of what job she had?

10 years is a long time to be at college>
why do these threads about tip[ping always descend into a discussion about tipping culture in the US when what needs to be discussed is the tipping culture of the area the OP is visiting.

to the OP worry not one jot about not giving a tip, liberate yourself and have a tip free holiday .If you do start to feel guilty about not tipping then make a donation to a local charity .

So, when I know that the waitress that has served me every morning for 10 years has college expenses to pay, I shouldn't slip her a little extra to help out? Hmmm.

That is a completely nonsensical and disingenuous example to make. How many people have that relationship with the service people they encounter during their travels? As Nigel pointed out, you're not providing a tip you're simply financially helping out someone who has become a friend/associate.

Besides, why should it be your responsibility to finance her college education? She should be able to earn a wage paid entirely by her employer that should be sufficient for her to be able to fund herself.

emma, what an interesting observation. Two guesses I have are that (1) most of the Hollywood people have spent time waiting tables and are familiar with the job; and (2) its the most frequent contact non-working class people have with people who do do demanding physical work.
In US urban/suburban areas, I think we associate waiting tables as a "starter" job (except for higher-end restaurants) where teenagers and college students (we have to pay for college) work their way through school, then move on to something better. Its assumed that they are getting low pay and minimal if any benefits, and therefore dependent on tips to earn a decent wage, and that assumption carries over to other countries. My first trip overseas as an adult, I was astounded to find out the hotel housekeeper made as much money as I did in my office job, with full health care, day care, access to education, three weeks paid vacation, and no need for a car.

Tipping is so deeply engrained in US culture that it seems almost impossible to break that mindset. The questions that are usually asked here are almost never "what should I, as a relatively wealthy person give as a gratuity to a lesser paid individual doing a excellent job". It is almost always a version of "what is the local custom". I think we've heard loud and clear what the local custom is. No problems with giving someone something extra for exceptional service - I do that too. Bringing you your food on plate is not exceptional - helping translate the menu and finding something your kid will eat, is.

In the US, I think most people don't tip for "good service", they tip automatically because it is expected, and they dont want to upset the server. Good service is something totally different in Europe, and if you want American-style good service (fast, fast-out-the-door, refills, check right-away, automatic doggy bags, constant hovering, fake friendliness, etc.) and tip American-style then at least recognize that you're helping to make the place "touristy".

where teenagers and college students (we have to pay for college) work their way through school,

English, Welsh and Northern Irish students have to pay university fees (college) but it's in a form of a loan which they'll pay back once they earn over a certain limit. Scottish students receive free university education in Scotland and so do, in accordance to European law, other EU students studying in Scotland with the exception of English, Welsh and Northern Irish who, despite being EU citizens (at least for the moment) are oddly excluded from this law. However, if you're a Northern Irish student who is also entitled to Irish citizenship then you're entitled to free education in Scotland. And people wonder why some want to withdraw from the EU!

"I can't think of a similar situation in media from other countries."

Interesting and you're right. I'd never noticed it before, but it's true that "restaurant waitress" does seem to be a common motif in US TV and films. Alice is one, if that's still going.

But whilst it's more extensive in US, it does have equivalents. In British TV the equivalent would be the pub. All the main soap operas have one and those working there are key characters - e.g. landlady Mrs Walker, barmaid Betty with her hotpots or cleaner Hilda. And if ratings are failing a sure-fire storyline is to burn down the pub, or in extremis crash an aeroplane into it.

And its not just the soaps. There were pubs and bar staff characters regularly appearing in Minder and Only Fools..., etc. And the never heard landlord of the Hand & Racquet in Hancock's Half Hour.

So far as I recall nobody ever offered to "slip a little extra" to Mrs Walker. Probably nobody, even Mr E, would have dared.

Alice is one, if that's still going.

Interesting clip involving pay raises, tipping and cheating the customer with smaller servings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN2cfA45mUI