What’s the rule for tipping in Italy? ⭐

 What’s the rule for tipping in Italy?

There’s no pressure to tip in Italy. Unlike in other countries, where a service charge is automatically added to the bill or a standard tip is expected, tipping in Italy is based on unwritten rules and is a personal choice.

Having said that, it’s absolutely not rude to tip in Italy. Actually, it’s a way to show service workers gratitude for doing an exceptional job.

If you’re not satisfied with the service, there’s no need to feel obligated to leave a tip. Plus, it’s customary to leave gratuities to staff only, and not to business owners. And if there aren’t gratuities for street food, tipping for food delivery is a nice gesture.

How to tip in Italy ?

If you decide to leave a tip, there’s no set amount or percentage you’re expected to give. But according to the unwritten rules I mentioned earlier, it’s considered polite to leave a small amount, such as rounding up the bill or leaving a few extra coins.

By the way, when I say coins, I mean anything from 50c and above. If you’re considering leaving anything less, then it’s better not to tip at all to avoid making a brutta figura (bad impression).

The way you tip is also important. Tipping in cash is best

Also, it’s usually better to leave a tip on the table than to hand it directly to the server. It helps keep things discreet, which prevents awkwardness or embarrassment.

Lastly, remember that tipping etiquette varies depending on what kind of place you’re visiting or what service you’re getting. You might tip more at an upscale restaurant, especially if the service was superior, but in a more casual café, a small tip will do (round the bill) .

Tipping in Italian restaurants

In Italy, it’s common for restaurants to include an additional fee, which can be either a coperto or servizio, on your bill. Although some sources may suggest that these fees serve as a substitute for a tip, this is not entirely accurate.

Coperto is not a tip but rather a fee that covers the use of tablecloths, cutlery, bread, and other essentials while dining (basically it’s the setup fee…). This practice dates back to Medieval times when people sought refuge in inns and restaurants to escape the cold and stay covered (which literally means coperto in Italian). The coperto fee, which is typically €1 to €3 per person, must be clearly stated on the menu and does not go towards the waiter’s compensation.

Servizio, on the other hand, is essentially a gratuity that some restaurants automatically add to large groups’ bills. It can range anywhere from 15% to 20% of the final bill. Be sure to check the bill for servizio fees. If they’re included, there’s really no need to tip on top unless the service was stellar.

After clarifying this, if you’re pleased with the service and would like to leave a mancia to show appreciation, the amount of your tip is entirely at your discretion. However, as per the unspoken guidelines I mentioned at the beginning of this post, let’s just say it depends on the size of the bill, your level of satisfaction, and the type of restaurant you’re in.

Generally, for a casual meal it’s common to leave a couple of euros or tell the waiter to keep the change (for example, if you owe €48, give €50). On the other hand, if you’re in a high-end establishment, you may choose to leave as much as 10% of the bill.

TIPPING IN ITALY WHEN ORDERING COFFEE AT A BAR

Here’s another tipping dilemma: do I have to tip for coffee?

Typically, you can  tip at cafés, especially if you order at the counter (round the bill with  small changes ). However, if you sit down to enjoy your drink, you can show appreciation for the service with a little extra on the bill ( extra 10% or more  )

Just rounding up the total or adding a small coin is enough. For example, if your cappuccino cost €1.20, you could just leave 30 centimes. Remember that, especially in big cities, some bars will raise menu prices for sitting at a table – something comparable to a restaurant’s coperto or servizio fee.

Tipping in Italian hotels

In Italy, tipping isn’t expected for short stays at bed&breakfasts or guesthouses. In bigger hotels, though, tipping the porter or friendly staff who serves you during your stay is always a nice gesture. Here are a few guidelines:

Porter: a €1 euro gratuity per piece of luggage is customary when the hotel porter carries your luggage to your room
Concierge: a tip between €5 and €10 is appropriate if the service provided you with top-notch recommendations or information that isn’t easily found elsewhere
Housekeeping: a thoughtful way to show appreciation for a spotless room is to leave a small daily tip of €1-€2 during your stay. Consider leaving the tip well visible in your room every day.

ITALIAN TIPPING VOCABULARY

Here are some terms and expressions around gratuities that might be helpful when you are at a restaurant or bar in italy :

Il conto per favore (The bill, please): in Italy, you will only receive the bill after you specifically request it from the waiter. In certain cafés, however, the bill may be presented to you when your drinks are served.
Mancia (Tip): this is the word we use in Italy to refer to a gratuity
Tenga il resto (Keep the change): this is what you say when handing the money to your waiter at the end of the meal expressing gratitude for the service provided; if they appear to be of a younger age, you can us the informal version, Tieni il resto.