I'm planning a visit to Venice and am interested to know whether it is customary for service charges to be added to restaurant bills in Venice, or whether one should be prepared to add tips. If so, what percentage ?

I am from Israel and when I travel to Europe, I tip nothing !!!<BR><BR>They need to give my country more money and they don't, so I can be cheap too.

Most restaurants we ate in in Venice added service charge but not all, we gave an extra tip in any case though we did leave more if there was no service at all added to the bill.<BR><BR>Kavey

In Italy, many restaurants add a charge for using the silverware. This is obviously just another way to get more money out of you. But I would leave a small tip, just a couple dollars.

"They need to give my country more money<BR>and they don't" Why should they give your country more money???

10% is customary in Europe, but only for good service. Do Not tip for poor service. European wait persons make minimum wage or better, unlike American wait staff that makes $2.?? an hour.

Flo<BR>I disagree with some of the comments above. In Italy, a tip additional to the service charge on the bill (which goes to management)is expected imo.<BR>Any general guidebook will have a section on suggestions for tipping.<BR>Here are some other sources<BR>www.goaheadvacations.com/countries/italy.asp<BR>www.tipping.org<BR>www.luxurytravel.c om/cityguides/venice/etiquette.html<BR>

Tipping in Italy is not as customary as in the U.S. A service charge is always added and most Italians do not tip. Frequently small change is left on the table and it is acceptable to leave more but not expected.

When paying the bill, do you pay the waiter or the restaurant cashier? Does it depend on the place?