Links:
My favorite seafood restaurant in Bagno a Ripoli, Florence.
A very interesting book on the American tipping system that I just started to read: One Minimum Wage by Saru Jayaraman.
If you prefer to read, keep scrolling.
Today I want to answer a question that I get asked all the time by my North American friends. ‘Should I tip when I go to Italy?’ The answer? No. Unless you really want to.
Italians don’t tip when they go to a bar, or a restaurant or a pizzeria. Workers in the service industry receive a salary, so they don’t rely on tips to make a living. And you can live comfortably on a modest income in Italy, unlike in the US , because not only is the Italian health care system is public and free for everyone, but also childcare is subsidized and readily available.
With that said, while in some cultures, like Japan, tipping is considered offensive and rude, if you leave a tip in Italy people won’t be offended, but pleasantly surprised.
So, if you want to leave a tip to show your appreciation, here’s my practical advice how to handle it:
don’t tip when you have a cappucino or a pastry in a bar/coffee shop. Nobody does that.
don’t tip for a quick lunch in a trattoria or when you have dinner in a pizzeria.
you can tip in a restaurant for dinner if you have an amazing experience. Keep in mind that Americans are famous in touristy places like Florence for over-tipping, so forget the 15-20% rule and tip 5-10% of your bill. I’m from Italy and I’ve never tipped in Florence. But last year I had dinner with my family in my favorite seafood restaurant outside Florence and my step-father, who’s American, but has lived in Italy for the past 40 years left a 5% tip to the waiter because they have know each other for a very long time.
Remember also that you can tip only with cash, not with credit card, by leaving it on the table or handing it straight to your waiter. Usually, tips will be divided between all the waiters at the end of the evening or the week.
The same rule applies when you’re booking a private driver or you’re using guides during your trip. They are professionals who will charge their fee directly to you or through the agency they work for, so again, no need to tip.
Because I grew up in country where you never tip, I’ve had a lot of awkward moments since I moved to the US.
I took my toddler once to get a hair cut. He was screaming and I was overwhelmed and I paid without tipping. It didn’t even occur to me to tip — I knew I should tip in bars and restaurants, but had no idea you should tip in hair salons as well. The hairdresser glared at me and I went home not quite understanding why she was so rude to me. I realized only later.
As a European, not only was giving tips brand new to me, but receiving tips was also quite strange.
When I hosted a series of regional cooking classes in my house, one time a lovely group of people left money on the kitchen counter at the end of the class. When I saw the money, I had no idea what it was for. I assumed at first that they must think I was undercharging for the class, and only later realized it must be a tip.
After 7 years in the US I still prefer the Italian system. I’d honestly rather pay more for a latte in a coffee shop, knowing that the waiter is receiving a salary, instead of paying less and then adding a tip.
I hope this has clarified any doubt you had on this topic.
See you next week.
Tipping in Italy