What is correct for tipping private car drivers and taxi drivers? Also, I understand that the gratuity at restaurants is included in the "pane e coperto" charge on your bill. I was in Italy several years ago and can't remember about tipping! I don't want to either overtip or undertip. Thanks for your help.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
I don't know about private cars, but with taxis I usually just round up to the nearest euro, and the driver is generally pleasantly surprised to get anything at all. That may be because I take taxis in Milan and speak Italian fluently; if you sound like a tourist, maybe they'd expect something, but still a euro or so would do it.
Re. restaurants, just a few euros here and there. Waiting tables is actually a decently-paid occupation in Italy, so the enormous tips that are expected in the States are not expected or needed here.
This subject poses questions we had on a recent Med cruise.
We dined in several locations in Italy, Greece and elsewhere. At the end of the meal, I presented my Amex card. The waiter came back with the little, tiny receipt (why are they so small?) and the amount was totaled at the bottom. When he gave me the receipt, I raised the question if service was included, but I never felt I really got a straight answer.
Most of the time, it was something like "you can tip however you want". Not being certain what this meant and wanting to do the right thing, I would note a 15% tip in whatever white space I could find on the receipt. Usually it was where I was supposed to sign my name.
When I got home and looked at my Amex bill, in some cases the extra tip was covered and in some cases it had been ignored. I felt badly in these latter instances but also I felt that at least I had tried.
Another custom in Italy which we found strange is when we were in restaurants where we were the guests of people with whom we were dining. The check never seemed to come, and when I iquired about it (I thought we might split it as is commonplace in the US), I found they had already paid it. In other words, they got out of their seat (I thought it was for a trip to the WC) and the bill was paid out of sight. I guess that is a commonplace thing, to do it that way over there, but I'm not sure why.
Posts: 27 | Location: Orange, CA, USA | Registered: 19 September 2003
ON the bill paying out of sight, there are two common reasons. One is to avoid an argument from guests over the bill. By paying in advance or out of sight of the guest, there is no argument. Another reason may be if the people taking you to dinner have a business relationship of any kind with the restaurant, they will probably just trade for the dinner. My winemaker friends all pay for their meals with wine delivered at a later time. Barter is alive an well in Italy.
As to tipping, this last trip I did less of it than I have in the past. There were places we went back to several times and there was really no diffreence in how I was treated from times in the past when we did tip more. I did not eliminate tips altogether but I left much smaller tips, just a few Euro. The exception were a few meals where the staff really went out of the way to make sure we were ahving a good time. We dined at Volpettti Piu and the whole staff hovered over our table, instructing us about the amazing cheeses, wines, iberico etc we were having. Even thought the meal was expensive (for eating at a tavola calda) I left €10 for the tip. It really was an incredible experience!
Thanks for the info. I guess we'll just play it by ear depending on the service, type of restaurant etc. Does anyone have tipping suggestions for drivers?
quote:Originally posted by dorian: What is correct for tipping private car drivers and taxi drivers?
No tipping at all. Both taxi drivers and private car drivers are usually the owners of the cars they use and the full amount of money you pay goes to them. Unless the driver offered special services that are not included in his job (such as helping you with the luggage or offering extra suggestions), don't tip them.
quote:Also, I understand that the gratuity at restaurants is included in the "pane e coperto" charge on your bill.
That's right, If the service has been exceptionally good, than you don't tip. We italians, when we want to tip due to an exceptionally good service, we leave just a few change coins per person (approx 1 euro).
quote:I don't want to either overtip or undertip.
In italy you can't undertip. You can easily overtip by giving any tip at all.
Alice Twain -- Te recuerdo Amanda / la calle mojada / corriendo a la fabrica / donde trabajaba Manuel La sonrisa ancha / la lluvia en el pelo / no emportava nada / ibas a encontrarte con el Ese cinco menudos / la vita es eterna en cinco menudos Victor Jara
Why is it that everyone who lives here in Italy keeps saying that tipping is not necessary here, yet so many people traveling here keep leaving American size tips? Waiters, drivers, etc will happily take your large tips, but they do not expect them.
quote: The waiter came back with the little, tiny receipt (why are they so small?) and the amount was totaled at the bottom. Not being certain what this meant and wanting to do the right thing, I would note a 15% tip in whatever white space I could find on the receipt. Usually it was where I was supposed to sign my name.
As noted in this quote - there is no space on credit card reciepts for a tip - this means they are not asking for one. As to why they are so small - why are they so big in the USA? If the owner of a restaurant or the waiter tells you that the tip is not included - they know you don't know and just want your money. We had this happen to a couple near us in a restaurant in Florence and all the other people just started laughing as the owner tried to get an additional tip - the locals sitting by them told them there was no need to tip him.
I would never tip at the bar I go to all the time for coffee or an apperitivo - it would be an insult. If I go out to eat I always leave a tip - 5 Euros max. In the Marche nobody tips so 5 bucks is a big deal (but not enough to make a fool out of yourself)
I have been a waitress which is probably why I d o tip. I always get tips when I work --- I suppose because I do give people good service and I do think it is my "responsibilty" that they have a good enjoyable and relaxing meal. The people that worked with me use to get a little mad because they never got tips --- then again , they do nothing to deserve it- many times I have worked with people that act as if they are doing the clients a favor by serving them.
quote:Originally posted by Bill & Patty Sutherland: Why is it that everyone who lives here in Italy keeps saying that tipping is not necessary here, yet so many people traveling here keep leaving American size tips?
Because those who tip are not Italians. When in Edinburgh I had to fight to make Luca understand that we had to tip, and coounting out the tips was a big trouble for both (how much should we leave, in purcentage, and in coins? >_<).
Kel: At bars you can tip, if you really care. In many places there are large glasses, usually water-filled. Where you can leave a coins (5-10 cent will do). Also, in southern Italy (in particular in Naples and nearby towns) there is the tradition of "caffè pagato". When you stop at a bar, you can leave the money for a coffee. you actually buy an extra coffee and the bill (scontrino fiscale) is left on the bar for those too poor to afford a coffee.
Alice Twain -- Te recuerdo Amanda / la calle mojada / corriendo a la fabrica / donde trabajaba Manuel La sonrisa ancha / la lluvia en el pelo / no emportava nada / ibas a encontrarte con el Ese cinco menudos / la vita es eterna en cinco menudos Victor Jara
I did the internet equivalent of "biting my tongue" when I read Paulmj's post about the small space on charge slips in Greece and Italy. Paul, you must be a kind soul, determined to charge a tip even when there's no space to do so! But I immediately wondered... "why didn't he just leave a tip in cash?"
My friends in the restaurant business here have broken me of the habit of "charging the tip." Servers and owners much much prefer cash tips. I believe charging a tip to Amex ends up costing the owner a service fee of some kind.
My personal philosophy about tipping in Italy is... it couldn't hurt. I tip porters and will often leave an envelope at the end of my stay with a few euros for a desk clerk who's been especially helpful or friendly. I always leave a few euros for the server at a restaurant, a euro for a taxi driver, leave a few coins at the bar... you get the point. I understand the Italians around me aren't tipping, but I'm an American and I frankly am not concerned if someone thinks I'm foolish for tipping. The reaction I invariably get is one of thankfulness, and no tip I've ever offered has ever been refused.
Posts: 442 | Location: New Rochelle, NY | Registered: 05 March 2002
The reason many Americans (like me) look for a place on the tiny receipt to add a tip is because that is the way it is done everywhere in the US. The reason Americans believe a tip is expected is because this too is the way it is done in the US. When a US visitor to Italy or elsewhere in Europe is on a cruise ship (as we usually are), you're in the country 2-3 days at the maximum and have no way of nailing down local customs. You do what you are accustomed to doing elsewhere. Fortunately there are resources (like here) to find out about local customs. For most cruisers, not too much effort is made to learn this stuff because tomorrow you'll be in France and the day after that in Spain.
Posts: 27 | Location: Orange, CA, USA | Registered: 19 September 2003
Yep, that's one of the great things about travel; you learn the rest of the world is not like the part of the world you call home, in case you didn't know that before.
Posts: 442 | Location: New Rochelle, NY | Registered: 05 March 2002
Even thought tipping is not expected here, please know that we do tip from time to time - at restaurants and bars that we frequent.
If you feel the need to tip - then do so - it will be appreciated. The service should be no better or worse if you tip or not.
quote: When you stop at a bar, you can leave the money for a coffee. you actually buy an extra coffee and the bill (scontrino fiscale) is left on the bar for those too poor to afford a coffee.
Alice - we have never heard this before, but it is a most wonderful gesture.
We tip, in Ialy and everywhere. We get invariably better service when we return and then we tip again. Nothing like making eye contact with a good professional waiter in terms of rewarding service as a repeat customer.
Rounding up is a long standing manner of tipping in Italy. In the early 90's we were a large international group in a well known restaurant in Rome. Our Italian friend and member of the group collected from everybody their dues (total was over 900 US dollars equivalent) and then left on top of the exact bill 4000 lira. When I asked why he did not leave more or why leave anything at all instead of about four bucks, he replied: "This is how we do it!". Since then, I have been many times back in Italy, but I have never tipped by rounding up; if the service was good, I tip in cash what I feel I should add, not what the folklore says I should do.
And we always tip porters, and chamber maids, etc., of course all subject to correspondingly good service. This may be the only opportunity we may have to say "Thank you!" to these people.
N.B. Recently we met the same Italian friend mentioned above at Alla Rivetta in Venice and noticed his tip was more generous than it used to be. O tempora, o mores!
Posts: 5576 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 26 May 2002
Hey Paulmj, I'm in sync with you about those tiny receipts sans tip line. I am not sure there is a trifocal out there that can read those things and I put everything I can on AX for FF miles. My husband and I find the question of to tip or not to tip confusing too. We tip, probably way too much.
I am a bit disturbed at learning that our tipping and squinting at tiny little receipts identifies us as Americans who cannot adjust to social customs of another country. I have long had my wardrobe issues worked out, must now concentrate on other areas so that I may "fit in".
Posts: 1416 | Location: on the Alabama River | Registered: 22 July 2002
I have never had a concern about "fitting in" in our travels. I am an American and proud of it. I wouldn't necessarily walk around with an American flag on my T-shirt, but at the same time would never, ever do anything to disguise my nationality. The last people I would want to impress otherwise would be waiters and other tourist service people who make a living from the money spent by us 'Ugly Americans'.
I ask for ice in my drinks, and if all I get is two cubes, I insist on more. I resent paying for water in my glass and for bread & butter with a 100 euro meal. We like to have dinner at 6:30, and if a particular restaurant doesn't get going until 9:00 PM, we'll go somewhere else. I like air conditioning on a hot day in a taxi, and I make sure the cabbie knows this before I get in.
Having said all this, and after dozens of trips to Europe which we have thoroughly enjoyed, I still do everything but kiss the ground when we get home.
Posts: 27 | Location: Orange, CA, USA | Registered: 19 September 2003
Whooa - I was joking. I must have a strange sense of humor or at least should learn to use those cute little gremlins to imply such. Is there one that looks like a little imp, or a joker or should I request one with a dunce hat?
Posts: 1416 | Location: on the Alabama River | Registered: 22 July 2002
quote: must now concentrate on other areas so that I may "fit in".
There is no real need to try to "fit in". We have been here 5 years and we are still - and always will be - "stranieri" - foreigners. Please understand this is not a malicious term, it is simply the word all Italians use to describe people who are not native Italians.
So dress comfortably, tip as much as you want (it is appreciated, just not expected), dine at 6:30 (although sadly, you will miss some really good restaurants that are not open at that time) and ask for ice (most all restaurants will happily give it to you).
quote: I am an American and proud of it. The last people I would want to impress otherwise would be waiters and other tourist service people who make a living from the money spent by us 'Ugly Americans'.
Although we made a concious choice to live here in Italy, we, too, are proud to be Americans. The Italian people love the Americans - the only Americans they do not love are the "ugly" ones, but then the "ugly" ones are probably "ugly" even in the own American hometowns. We, too, have never found the need to "impress" waiters and tourist service people, but we have found that "simple courtesy & respect" is a two-way street.
Last thought - Italy's economy is not based soley on tourism, but tourism is a large business here - so please come.
When you get the little piece of paper to sign, it has already been run through the machine, so there is no way to add more on to the total unless they still have your card!
a little change is all that is needed.. one or 2 euro is 2,000 to 4,000 of the old lira and if a waiter has 10 tables, that makes quite a difference in their wages! But even my Italian husband who never tips, leaves 5 Euro max. which is quite a bit!
quote: I ask for ice in my drinks, and if all I get is two cubes, I insist on more. I resent paying for water in my glass and for bread & butter with a 100 euro meal. We like to have dinner at 6:30, and if a particular restaurant doesn't get going until 9:00 PM, we'll go somewhere else. I like air conditioning on a hot day in a taxi, and I make sure the cabbie knows this before I get in.
"A ciascuno il suo..." I'm a big fan of ice, AC, and early dining, too. But when I travel, I try to "go with the local flow." So if there's no ice, that's okay. No air? I'll deal. Dinner at 9? I'll adjust. That's the great thing about "slow travel". Spending a week or more in one place really allows one time to adjust to and enjoy the local ways. Boy,someone should create a web site dedicated to slow tra... oh never mind!
Posts: 442 | Location: New Rochelle, NY | Registered: 05 March 2002
We Americans just can't get over the habit of tipping. In italy, there is usually a service charge of 12-15% included in your bill, so tipping is neither customary nor expected, but you can leave a small tip (no more than 5%) if the service was really outstanding.The staff appreciates even a small coin left at the table.
Posts: 108 | Location: Redding, California, USA | Registered: 15 July 2003
Topic Closed
Thanks for your help.
