Tipping private driver in Italy

I would tip if he is an employee and does not own the car. $50.00 is more than enough if he is an employee.

I bet only the English version says so, not the italian one.

An italian customer would tip zero and they wouldn't dare to say anything about gratuities to an italian customer. But they know americans are used to tip and they scam you.

If you like to be scammed and you can afford to be scammed... well, be scammed. It's not a big deal.

We didn't tip our private driver from Positano to Naples. It was 200 euro. We did however, tip our Walks of Italy guides. They were wonderful and enthusiastic about their jobs.

You never need to tip for anything. I would avoid companies that mention tips because they are just out to take advantage of North Americans and our tipping culture. I'm sure the Italian website wouldn't mention anything about tip not being included because Italians wouldn't tip. You don't need to tip the driver, tour guide or waiter/waitress.

Donna

You wrote "Your book says...." You realize that Rick doesn't read these, right?

As for tipping, Italy is not a tipping culture. I would not tip your driver anything, nor would any Italian. (The English language billing is playing to your American sensibility, hoping to guilt you into tipping.)

Would not tip unless they end up doing something that is off of the itinerary or otherwise takes up additional time and then I would tip for the extra time an amount I felt appropriate.

For example I had a private driver pick us up at the Pisa Airport and drive us to a hotel in Florence.
For the ride itself I was quoted a rate, believe it was 140 euro and would not tip on that ride.

I asked them to stop at the leaning tower along the way and allow us 30 minutes to walk around, take pics. etc... ; for this extra service I tipped an extra 30 euro and the driver was very happy with that.
Since this is extra it is more of paying for extra than tipping and I would encourage you to look at it that way.

Sometimes the lack of tipping or overpaying can become a little odd for example I have run into a few cases where basics in the US that are often included are not included in Italy. Could be something as simple as an extra cup, or extra napkin and you can be treated rather harshly if you expect it to be included ; but often offer a small coin and you can gladly have them. So again I would say no issue with paying extra for extra, that seems commonplace and expected.

I think most of these replies are correct . . . in general, no tipping. However, professional guides I'm told are in a different category... so, you do tip them. I'll go out on a limb and say I may have read that in one of Rick's books. It's good question for the "boss" . . .

I've gotten some flack for moderate tipping. Fact is - and you will discover this - many are eastern European driver and servers. They are not knocking it back. No we don't tip 15% but on a full day car hire I would think 5 to 10 euro per person would be appreciated. You are spending a day with the guy and if he turns out to be cold and distant - well nothing, helpful and friendly, well 5 each. Over the top and accommodating and informative, well 10 per person sounds reasonable.

Waiters and servers, a meal for three over an hour and a half we would toss 15 or 20 euro to the excellent server. In places like Rome and Florence where you might walk by the small place a few times, not only to they remember and greet you - it makes for easy restroom stops, questions and interaction with locals even if you are not dining.

I will say if you happen to go to 4Leoni in Florence for dinner (make reservations) you will have a great meal. 140(?) euro of greatness (gluttony really) I thinks was our damage with the 2.5kg Florentine steak, another steak for wife, multiple sides, lot of wine, sodas desert for 3. We left 15 or 20 euro. You don't have to leave a penny. But that's true in the USA too. A great meal - great place.

Conversely Gusta Pizza in Florence. If you do not find it and eat there - well you are just missing out - don't miss out. Don't let the line scare you - it moves fast, many take the pizza to go. Its great. Just go with the flow be a local. There is a big glass tip jar on the counter by the pizza makers. Order your pies (kinda single and a half size) and drinks, get your number wait for a table and drop a few Euros in the jar. Nothing goes unnoticed. The next time you visit you will be remembered, squared away at a table quickly. Just sayin...

Hotels, bag guys a few Euros a bag. I round up. I'm traveling with my wife and 10 year old daughter. A smile a few xtra bucks for a second set of eyes goes a long way. In Venice the hotel staff who takes you to the room at the Danieli was a notable exception. Not only was a tip not possible it was completely out of character for the position. The luggage handler however got a tip, as did the room maids (who were brilliant). Breakfast we left nothing. It was included and at all locations would have been rude.

My rule - I'm myself. You should be too. That said it is true that tipping % is a bit lower than in the USA but I would never leave a few coins on the table. But that's just me.

We had a fantastic time last year.

PS: Lido is a gem if you make it to Venice.

Even if tipping in Italy is not the norm, I tipped a private driver that I used in September as he went well above and beyond, and provided exceptional service. I thought he deserved it.

Bud light's post should be on dictionaries under the voice "ugly americanism".
I can't understand why you can't leave things the way they were before your arrival.

By tipping you make things easier for tax cheaters and those who pay waiters under the table; on the long run you create places with worst service for locals, rubbish food and higher prices. Theme parks where no italian works anymore like central Florence. Or central Rome where 50% of waiters works without any right and written contract, except that they "can keep the tips given by american tourists".

I guess you just think: "Well, but that's the way of living I'm used to, so it must be the only right one. Who cares what happens when I'm back home?" May I do the same in US when dining out? "Sorry madam, I come from a non tipping country".

The idea of buying friendliness and greetings with tips is... awful.
Shouldn't a tourist that can't afford to tip be greeted the same way and enjoy the same kindness?
The sad thing is that you think they remembered the tip, while they remembered you. All customers the go back get the same level of kindness. Have you ever thought why italian waiters can't bring the bill at the table? Even if it's 3 am and you are the last guest inside and they just want to go home? Because you are a guest, not a customer.

Guides and drivers don't fall in another category: no italian would tip them. But they work with americans, a category of tourists that trusts those who speaks their language and, beeing honest people, are easily scammed.

I agree with darioalb.

No need to tip, and in fact you are just doing more damage than good. Waiters that get a living wage will stop getting that, because why make them a legal contract if you can stop paying taxes etc and just ket them keep tips?

And the fact that you are 'buying' good service is really sad, and reflects a mentality that money buys it all -

Well like I said, I've gotten flack before and I imagine I will get flack again. Luckily name calling generally puts the poster's opinion to the back of the pile. The "ugly american" IMHO is the name caller, the impatient and the uncourteous. All things we strive not to be, and it is not a hard strive.

The service is provided before the bill and the tip, not after..... just sayin...

As I said, be yourself, enjoy yourself!

"be yourself, enjoy yourself!" and respect the customs of other countries.
Bribery may be acceptable behaviour in some countries, but not in others.

I used to tip in my early days, but now I don't. I noticed that as travelers get more seasoned and more understanding and comfortable with the Culture, they don't tip in Italy. Even Rick Steves says that tippers should "zip it" in Italy.

It's actually best Not to tip in Italy. To the tipper here I say don't be yourself in Italy. Leave yourself here at home, the place that made you as you are. If you enjoy yourself here, then enjoy yourself here where you fit.

When you go to Italy try being who they are, learn and take on their values, their persona, their way of life. Learn to become who they are. Why else would you travel? I know this sounds trite and hokey, but it's Not. There's a deeper more satisfying personal travel experience awaiting you, it's so intimate, so personal that only you can define it.

Leave yourself at home. Go there open and willing to learn, come back a new self with added dimensions, a more complex self, why else would you travel? You have such a great opportunity here, stay in touch and let me know how things develop. There's a gift awaiting you.