Tipping in Italy (or To Tip or Not to Tip: That is the Question)

tipping Seasoned travelers know that when dining out in a foreign restaurant, one of the biggest cultural conundrums is simply this: To tip or not to tip - what is the answer? Depending on where you go in the world, tipping your waiter can be anything from a kind but unnecessary gesture to customary to compulsory. So in Italy, which one is it?

In most sit-down restaurants, especially the nicer ones which have no counter service, you may find both “il coperto” and “servizio incluso” written on the menu. “Il coperto” is the cover charge, which is generally one or two Euro, and which takes care of things like bread before the meal and a glass of tap water. “Servizio incluso” means that service is included, meaning they’ve already figured in a tip for you - it’s usually around 15% - so the total due on your final bill is all you’ll owe. If the service has been particularly outstanding or you’ve had an exceptional experience, leaving a couple Euro on the table is a lovely gesture to let the waiter know.

Tipping after a meal is only done if you don’t see “servizio incluso” on the menu, or you specifically see “servizio non incluso” (service not included). In those situations, a 10% tip is fine, left in cash on the table or handed right to your waiter. If you eat “come gli Italiani,” or like the Italians do - standing at the bar to grab a quick bite - no tips are necessary. You may see people leaving odd change in a dish by the cash register, and if you feel so inclined, you’re more than welcome to do the same.

Much of the time, when you’re in a foreign place and you want to try to fit in, doing as the locals do is a good choice. In the case of tipping, however, that doesn’t always work. Many Italians never leave a tip beyond the “servizio incluso” or even when service is not included. But here’s the thing - they’re Italians. If you try that, you’ll more than likely get away with it, but your behavior (should it be deemed inappropriate) will be blamed on your nationality. This is where we get things like the “ugly American” syndrome. In other words, if you’re going to carry the flag for your country abroad, represent it well.