Photo: Curious Appetite
Depending on what corner of the world you are reading from, tipping may not be something that really comes to mind when you travel to a new country. Especially if you’re from Australia – a country where tipping isn’t standard practice. Perhaps you’re one who might leave a few coins in a jar on the counter just so you don’t have to put them back in your pocket, but the idea of calculating percentages based on the time, place and service is completely foreign to some not from North America. In the states, tipping is absolutely expected. If you are an outsider visiting the states for the first time, it’s not uncommon to be incredibly flustered trying to calculate a tip in a restaurant, even if both the food and the service had been shockingly mediocre!
But when it comes to Italy, to tip or not to tip is a very different question. If you’re from the states- tipping comes naturally, while for others, it’s a little more sporadic. This post is an amalgamation of our experiences and those of all the locals we have met over the years.
So, with that in mind, let’s get into the nitty gritty of tipping in Italy.
Should I tip in Italy?
We think so, however this decision is entirely up to you. Tipping in Italy is neither expected nor sought. That’s not to say that it’s not appreciated. Who wouldn’t appreciate a small gesture of appreciation? Wages are lower in the Italian service industry than in countries like Australia or the UK. A lot of people working in the restaurant industry are seasonal, casual workers, especially since they often go hand in hand with the tourism industry. The money they make in high tourism season often has to tide them over when they return to their home towns and work is scarce over the winter months.
Regardless of whether you agree with tipping or not, it is not a common practice in Italy to leave much. And there is a misconception from foreigners that coperto (cover charge) is part of a service fee. Or that restaurant workers have it so great and get paid so well, that a tip is not necessary. Who started this rumor?
It is true Italians are not calculating tips every time they eat out or catch a cab. We think if everyone left some change, it would create a little change in terms of dignified earnings which are hampered by a variety of limitations in the local labor system.
Overtipping is considered a tourist practice, and it might lead to some staff expecting tips from every foreigner they meet. On the other side of the coin, it could make up for the fact that locals should be tipping and changing this cultural abnormality, considering how grueling the work is and how underpaid and unreliable the work it.
Yes, residents are entitled to healthcare (and it’s not completely free), but unless they aren’t just a seasonal worker- they aren’t getting all the perks (sick pay, vacation, maternity leave, etc) outsiders tend to glorify about hospitality and service workers in Italy compared to the conditions in their home country.
It would be different if their pay was extra high to cover these perks missing, but wages comes out to minimum in most cases. Which is why we do encourage people, locals and visitors, to tip even if it’s just a euro or few. Especially considering the current climate of rising energy and living costs.
NOTA BENE: If you are planning on tipping, be sure it goes to the right person. If you are tipping a waiter for good service, give it to them directly. If you’re tipping the cook staff, be sure to let the person know. Otherwise, you risk coming off as a confused foreigner who doesn’t understand the euro and has overpaid their bill. In this case, the money will just end up in the cash register.
Tipping in dining establishments
This is probably the most common place to tip in Italy. If locals are out with friends and the bill comes to €47, for example, the common practice is to usually just leave a €50 note and not worry about the three-euro change.
If you’re using a credit card, it can be tricker. A generous rule of thumb is to tip 10% of whatever the final bill is and only if you’ve really enjoyed your experience. Since Italian bills don’t have space for a mancia (tip), be sure to have some cash on hand.
Before you leave a tip, keep an eye out for the following. They are incredibly common, especially in tourist areas and they might influence your decision.
Coperto – This charge dates back to the Middle Ages, when customers would spend endless time inside inns and restaurants so that they could escape the cold and stay “covered” (coperto, in Italian). Coperto usually ranges from €1 to €3 per person.
Servizio – Some places put this on the bill in lieu of “coperto” but usually it’s the same means. It can also be considered a tip, but we’re not sure if this actually goes to the workers as extra pay. It can amount to anything between 15 and 20 per cent of the final bill and might be added automatically depending on the type of establishment. The menu should clearly state if a servizio fee will be added to the final bill. Personally, we would see any establishment adding a percentage based servizio to a bill (for than what a typical coperto amount would be) as a red flag of a tourist hotspot since it’s not terribly common.
Pane – This means bread and it’s usually included in the coperto or servizio. Where there is no coperto, you can expect to pay between €1 and €5, depending on the quality of place. In theory, you don’t have to pay for it, but I’ve never seen anyone send their bread back.
Photo: Curious Appetite
Tipping at bars, enoteche and cafes
This is less common and the general rule is if you’re standing up to drink your espresso like the locals, you don’t tip. The same applies for cocktail bars and enoteche (wine bars). That is, unless you’re getting table service. Then whether you’re drinking coffee or Spritzes, you can leave a euro or two. Again it's nice, but it’s not expected. Some coffee bars, wine and cocktail bars around Florence have started to leave tip jars, we hope they are honestly splitting among the staff.
Tipping at hotels
If you’re going to tip for one one service in Italy, it should be to the porter who carried your bag up three flights of stairs. If you’re feeling generous, you might to the housekeeping if they left the room spotless. For the latter, we suggest you to leave the tip in your room or ask the staff at the counter to give it to them at check-out.
When it comes to the concierge, leave a tip if they give a really good insider scoop on a local restaurant or a way to avoid the crowds, but the hotel staff at the front desk typically aren’t casuals and usually have fairly paid, permanent positions, so the decision to reward them is up to you.
Photo: Curious Appetite
Tipping in taxis, spas, gyms, hairdressers or other service industries
We personally have never tipped a hairdresser or a manicurist and I wouldn’t recommend you do either unless you really love tipping. Taxis- yes since their job is rather demanding and why not offer them a coffee in the form of a eu coin?
Tipping a tour guide or driver
Sure. We’re probably not super objective when it comes to this one, so I’ll be blunt. If you truly enjoyed the tour and felt like the tour guide or driver went out their way to really make the experience special- yes they are welcome. We won’t quote amounts since we are too close to the sun to be able to suggest this with complete objectivity- so we’ll leave this judgement up to you!:)
A remarkable tour guide or driver is a special gift- they help make your memories! All the best we work with are incredibly passionate about their job and have studied long hours to gain their expertise, master English and develop relationships with all the people and places you visit.
Plus they are acting as concierge telling you where to hail a taxi, making dinner suggestions for you, translating, helping you buy wine or other souvenirs, giving you suggestions on what to see after your tour- guides are hospitality! They do all of this to ensure you have the most genuine and enjoyable visit possible and if that’s not worthy of a tip then what is, frankly? ;)
Want some more tips on tipping in Europe? Check out this podcast by Paris-based author Lindsay
