Waiters at restaurants

Never have. Where did you get that story? That is very close to being just plain silly.

Please don't feed the trolls...

Doug, your right. Fell for the troll.

kim,

Hopefully this is not a "troll", but could you elaborate on where you "heard of this"???

I've NEVER experienced that type of service from a restaurant anywhere in Italy. I can assure you that won't be a problem for me if it does happen. The first Waiter that pulls something like that will not only lose his tip but also a lucrative dinner order (if you saw my girth you'd know why the order would be "lucrative").

There are lots of restaurants in each city in Italy, so I'm not too worried about that eventuality.

Cheers!

I think what happened is that whoever told Kim this got it confused with buying a coffee or gelato where you pay first and then get your food.

But you don't do that at a sit down restaurant.

I am a frequent traveler in Italy from top to bottom and side to side. This has never happened in all of my trips there. I do not dine at the temples of gastronomy, but I eat well. In fact, I think it is difficult to not eat well in Italy.

In most cafes or gelatorias you need to pay first at the "casse" and obtain a "scontrino" (receipt) and then proceed to the counter. The bar person will place a small tear on the scontrino and serve you. I thought this system was simply make work, but it has to do with their income tax laws. Income tax evasion is the true Italian national sport. A receipt proves you paid and they provided a taxable good or service.

Remember, this is Italy...conventional wisdom does not apply.

RB

I was just in Italy, I did have a question for next time I go related to the original question.

Some menus said Cover included. Others said Service included. Some said Cover AND Service included.

If it ONLY said Cover included, are you still required to leave a tip? Or do they all mean the same thing?

I assumed Bread included is the same thing as Cover included.

In response to the last poster:

Coperto or Cover is literally for what they put on the table, eg. tablecloth, napkin, and eating utensils. This varies but is usually 1.50 euros. Many restaurants have someone who picks up their dirty tablecloths and provides fresh ones every couple of days at a fee. Plus there's the guy in the back paid to clean the plates and forks, etc. Coperto pays for that and is not to be confused with service.

Servizio or service is what goes for the service you receive. That is not to say the waiter receives all of that, it depends on the owner of the restaurant but usually not. If the owner is your waiter and a service is applied then it will go to him/her.

Pane or bread is again something different. Literally for the bread you receive and if no bread is brought then it should not be charged. As a default mode they generally will want to bring bread as there is a great profit margin on it so if you do not want bread then say so as soon as you order. The profit goes to the restaurant and it should not be conflated as service or cover. However, if no cover is charged the bread profit would take care of the cover but they are distinct in the owner's mind.

If you are charged for all three of the above then maybe toss in a few euros more for your server directly. If you are not charged for any of the above then you the owner or server is trying to be especially nice to you and if you are pleased then a tip is expected.

And remember as a rule tip is less than the States, 7 to 10% is generally sufficient but as always if the service is superb then a tip is a nice thank you.

As to Kim's original question if a tip must be left in advance, no. if that was requested flee immediately because God knows what they may do with the bill.

Hope that helps.