Tipping in Italy
By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 6 January 2024
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Something that causes no end of confusion, particularly to foreign visitors is the subject of tipping in Italy and as it's something I've been asked about so many times, I thought it would be a good idea to cover the main dos and don'ts in the hope of making life easier.
In the United States in particular but also other countries across the Western world, the idea of tipping is well-established and for the most part, we all know what we're supposed to do in certain situations, at least in our own countries. However, it's when we travel abroad that we can run into some difficulties if we don't fully understand the local traditions, culture and customs. Offering a gratuity is right at the top of the list for that confusion so please read on where I'll outline the main rules and/or expectations around the Italian tipping culture. |
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Where and when do we usually tip in English-speaking countries?
Before we get on to what happens in Italy, let's just have a think about those situations in which we are expected to tip in our own countries in the English-speaking world. More or less, the most typical recipients of a tip are below:
The amount or percentage that each one might receive differs from one country to another with the USA generally being towards the higher end and with a more structured set of expectations. The rules maybe slightly less clear in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and other English-speaking countries.
- Restaurant staff
- Taxi drivers
- Hairdressers
- Hotel valet
The amount or percentage that each one might receive differs from one country to another with the USA generally being towards the higher end and with a more structured set of expectations. The rules maybe slightly less clear in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and other English-speaking countries.
Who to tip in Italy
As you might already presume, the rules around tipping in Italy are slightly less clear than they may be in other countries but that's not to say that offering a gratuity isn't a long standing tradition.
In Italy, a tip is expected at the end of a meal in a restaurant, at the end of a journey by a taxi driver and to a valet in a hotel who carries your luggage up to your room.
The key word here though is expected, rather than demanded. Unless clearly-stated otherwise, there is no set amount required and no obligation to tip anyone if you don't want to. That might be because you feel the service given didn't warrant a gratuity, you may not have enjoyed a particularly pleasant rapport with the person in question or simply because you're not willing to pay any more than you have.
So just to give a summary in bullet points:
It should also be pointed out that there are many Italians who don't believe in tipping at all and who simply don't engage in the process.
In Italy, a tip is expected at the end of a meal in a restaurant, at the end of a journey by a taxi driver and to a valet in a hotel who carries your luggage up to your room.
The key word here though is expected, rather than demanded. Unless clearly-stated otherwise, there is no set amount required and no obligation to tip anyone if you don't want to. That might be because you feel the service given didn't warrant a gratuity, you may not have enjoyed a particularly pleasant rapport with the person in question or simply because you're not willing to pay any more than you have.
So just to give a summary in bullet points:
- Restaurant staff - tips are welcome but no set amount required or demanded
- Taxi drivers - tips are welcome but no set amount required or demanded
- Hairdressers - tips are welcome but no set amount required or demanded
- Hotel valet - tips are welcome but no set amount required or demanded
It should also be pointed out that there are many Italians who don't believe in tipping at all and who simply don't engage in the process.
How much to tip
A key part of my job is helping to organise private transfers and private boat tours, particularly in Southern Italy. It's during these conversations that I most regularly get asked about tipping and more specifically, how much to tip.
My standard answer to the question is that a tip is appreciated but not expected and the amount is entirely down to your discretion. It should be noted that in the situations I'm referring to, the client will have already paid for the tour or transfer in full so the dynamics are possibly different to other situations you may experience.
That said, the premise is the same: only tip if you feel a gratuity has been earned and base any amount on the level of reward you wish to favour the recipient with.
My standard answer to the question is that a tip is appreciated but not expected and the amount is entirely down to your discretion. It should be noted that in the situations I'm referring to, the client will have already paid for the tour or transfer in full so the dynamics are possibly different to other situations you may experience.
That said, the premise is the same: only tip if you feel a gratuity has been earned and base any amount on the level of reward you wish to favour the recipient with.
Who not to tip - petrol/gas station attendants
The idea of tipping at a petrol or gas station may seem a little strange to many English-speakers who have become accustomed to simply filling their vehicles up at the pump themselves and then either paying a cashier or using an automatic payment system.
While there are those same systems in place in Italy, there is something else that causes a lot of confusion. This is covered in greater depth in my refuelling a car in Italy article but I'll focus specifically on the tipping element of that here.
The confusion arises around the 'Self' or 'Servito' options that most gas stations in Italy offer. As you can probably surmise, the Self option means you fill the vehicle up yourself, while the Servito option means someone comes along to do this for you.
When you enter an Italian petrol station you'll see there are bays marked with different options and prices. In short, the Self pumps are cheaper than the Servito pumps. That's because the garage is offering you a service and charging you a higher amount for it. You may feel that it's not worth paying the extra amount for that service and just choose to fill up the vehicle by yourself.
If you choose to use their Servito service, you will be paying a higher amount for your fuel. So, the last thing you should do is to follow that up by giving the attendant a tip because you've already paid for this extra service.
While there are those same systems in place in Italy, there is something else that causes a lot of confusion. This is covered in greater depth in my refuelling a car in Italy article but I'll focus specifically on the tipping element of that here.
The confusion arises around the 'Self' or 'Servito' options that most gas stations in Italy offer. As you can probably surmise, the Self option means you fill the vehicle up yourself, while the Servito option means someone comes along to do this for you.
When you enter an Italian petrol station you'll see there are bays marked with different options and prices. In short, the Self pumps are cheaper than the Servito pumps. That's because the garage is offering you a service and charging you a higher amount for it. You may feel that it's not worth paying the extra amount for that service and just choose to fill up the vehicle by yourself.
If you choose to use their Servito service, you will be paying a higher amount for your fuel. So, the last thing you should do is to follow that up by giving the attendant a tip because you've already paid for this extra service.