Tipping in Italy/want to do the right thing

If recent threads on tipping in Italy are any indication, you are likely to get a variety of answers to your question! I personally put a lot of stock in what our Italian friends Ricky and Dario and Roberto da Firenze advise.

I would pay the guide and the driver the amount quoted and not give anything extra.
I will also acknowledge that even though I know Italy is not a tipping culture, it’s still hard for me not to tip because of our tipping economy in the US. So to counteract the tipping reflex, I keep up an inner monologue to remind myself “different culture, different norms” and I tip rarely if at all in Italy.

Here is an excerpt from a recent thread about tipping — from Ricky, who is a tour guide:

As said in other posts, I work as a touristic guide. 90% of Americans tip me. By other European I receive tips from the half, more or less. From Italians I have received a "real" tip once or two times in five years (I did tours with Italians almost every week): somebody left me the change (maybe they have to pay 24€ and give me 25€ without ask the euro back).

Usually before accepting it I remember that in Italy is not mandatory and necessary. If they say that they know and want to give it anyway I accept it and thanks the tourists. Sometimes I have even given back part of the tip because too high. And I never asked the tip to anybody.

How would you tip?

Zero, why paying more than the agreed price?

150€ for an half day tour (usually 2/3 hours) is a standard wage for a guide in Italy, so no further tip is required.
240€ for the car with driver seems a standard too for a full day, depends how many hours and kilometers.
Invite the guys for lunch and they will be glad.
As I told before: tip is not mandatory, but if you want to leave it is welcomed.

Thank you so much for your reply. I just wanted to make sure I'm doing the right thing when traveling :)

in lieu of a tip, depending on the length and time of the trip you might want to buy them coffees and/or lunch