Rick Steves says it's not necessary to tip in Italy. Does anyone live there? What do you do? Thanks.
Posted by
San Francisco, CA (USA)
494 posts
If you feel the absolute need or, believe your service was EXCEPTIONAL, you can leave the balance of coins from your charge or, a few Euros. There is no expectation for tips, a typical American sized 15-20% tip would be viewed as quite odd and daft, not to mention your unawareness of the local wage scale.
Posted by
Racine, WI
69 posts
We just spent two weeks and I only tipped once... Our taxi driver from Rome to the airport this morning.
It's a flat rate 50 euro but he was very helpful with my kids and their bags. So I gave him 52.
Otherwise, nope.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6194 posts
Lots of discussion here:
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=6m&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Tipping&utf8=%E2%9C%93
Tipping is neither expected nor necessary
Please don’t force our/your American customs on to others in foreign countries
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15238 posts
Zero percent is the typical tip Italians leave.
If you want to leave more than zero, your only option is hard cash, because the credit card slip you will be asked to sign at the end of your meal does not have the dotted gratuity line where you can add an amount, like you would do in America.