tipping policy

Thanks so much to each of you as this is all very helpful info. John

No need to tip anywhere. You can if you want for superior service. It's not the same as in the US. If you take a taxi, just allow the driver the extra change (say it's a 14.20 fare and you give him 15E) Service is charged at each meal..you will see it on the bill, ranges from 1E per person to 3E. Tip is basically built in.

thanks so much Ellen. I appreciate your help. My wife and I are going to Venice, Positano, Rome to celebrate 40th anniversary........wanted to make sure I tip properly.

Thanks so much Ellen.

Actually the service charge at restaurants is a percentage, generally 10% to 12%. It's clearly stated on the bill. Some restaurants, especially pizzerie or budget type restaurants, may state on the menu "service included" meaning that the price of each dish is inclusive of service charge. In that case you won't see a separate service charge (10-12%) on the bill. The 1euro to 3euro flat charge, is called "Coperto" (cover charge) or "pane e coperto" (bread and cover charge). It's a unique Italian feature that is no longer common in the rest of Europe. It's basically a per person flat charge for the cost of placing and using clean dinnerware on the table for each person.
The practice of charging for the "coperto" started in the Middle Ages, when people utilized restaurants to eat their own food they brought from home, especially when weather was bad and workers could not eat outdoors (think of the construction workers). The restaurateur then would charge the 'guest' for the seat 'covered' by the guest and the use of the dinnerware, hence the word "coperto". In a way, it is similar to the "corking" fee you pay also in the US if you bring your own bottle of wine.

We are just back from Tuscany and found a wide range of practice from nothing to everything being included. Seemed unpredictable. So just check the bill carefully and ask if uncertain and what is listed. The bread charge is common but many American tourist seem to find that objectionable. We general left the change on the table and took the bills. There were four of us so we often left an extra Euro or two if there was not much change coming back.

There is a huge variety of opinion on this topic among people who travel to Italy and people who live in Italy. (You're probably going to see what I mean in the responses to your question.) In my opinion, it seems to vary from city to city and from restaurant to restaurant. Here's what our practice was: We checked each bill to see what was included. If they included a coperto and/or a servizio, we were less inclined to tip anything. However, we usually left some amount as a tip, often in the 5-10% range, again depending on what was included on the bill. The more interaction we had with the waiter and the more helpful he/she was, the higher the tip. If all the waiter did was take our order, then we left little to nothing above the bill. Some restaurants, esp. in Rome, have gained some notoriety by charging non-Italian tourists a built-in tip. So you need to examine the bill closely. What is definitely true is that Italian waiters make a higher wage than their counterparts in the US, so they don't rely on tips to the same extent. Another difference you'll find is that if you pay at a restaurant with a credit card, there won't be a line on the credit card slip to add a tip.

You might also want to check out "Tipping Tips" listed on the Graffiti Wall.

I've read that unless restaurants state that the tip isn't included, hardly any services are to be tipped in Italy. The exception being porterage in some hotels. True??

Actually not all restaurants automatically add in the service charge. Some of the smaller, family run restaurants, bars, and cafes do not add the service in. I always check the bottom line to be sure. If it is not added I will add a little- 10-15%. Especially if I enjoyed myself, which I almost always do!

See what I mean? :-)

Although i competely agree with Frank, Ellen, and Roberto - anywhere from no tip required, to a minimal (leaving the coins, or a euro or two), and this seems to be the norm according to my friends that live in Florence. However, being American and accustomed to tipping, I usually left a little extra if I had a great meal, good service, and enough red wine :) similar to Michaels comments above. As recommended, check the bill for "pane" (bread charge) and/or "coperto" (cover charge) or "servizio", and if that's there, that should cover it, although as Roberto mentioned, very often "servizio" is BUILT IN to the food cost, so it covers the tip (you don't see the separate charge on bill though). If you'reworried, and it's budgetable, just leave a euro or two, and most important-
Eat, drink, be merry, and Have a wonderful time!!

Hey thanks to each of you who have sent info. I feel totally prepared and looking forward to a great trip. Happy summer to all.