sumocomputers

My questions DO NOT have to do with additional tipping, nor pane e coperto; but specifically "Servizio" or Service Charge, and its variations in Italy.

I have read a lot online, and I am still a little unclear on the 4 possible scenarios, listed below, and more importantly, what action you should take, if any. Can you help me clarify?

1. "Servizio Incluso" - No Line Item Should be Added on the Check - Tip built into the price of each item on the menu

2. "Servizio 15%" - Line Item Added on the Check for 15%

3. "Servizio Non Incluso" - Is it legal for them to add a Line Item in this case? If not, what if they try to add it on the bill?

4. Nothing stated on the Menu - No Line Item Should be Added for sure - But again, what if they try to add it on the bill?

Thanks,

Kris

jamikins

I have never experienced #3 or 4. I am currently in the US and they have suggested tips broken down by % on some bills here...but I havent seen that in Italy. Usually it will be included, or come as a line item, but these things have been stated up front on the menu somewhere. I havent had anyone just add a line item for it...

If they tried to add something that wasnt stated on the menu I would just ask them about it and if they cant show me where it is on the menu then I would ask them to remove it.

flanneruk

The answer to 3 and 4 is "it won't happen"

Italian law requires a menu, showing prices and any surcharges, to be displayed outside the restaurant. Italy being a civilised country, of course, those prices must be NET. It's a criminal offence, as it ought to be everywhere - and is in all CIVILISED countries - to impose extra charges (like service, or sales tax) that aren't specifically indicated and calculated on that externally visible menu.

Other anti tax avoidance laws require restaurants to use technology for producing customer invoices that makes undeclared supplements practically impossible.

Not only are cases 3 & 4 impossible in theory, I've not encountered them once in almost 50 years of going to restaurants in Italy.

sumocomputers

I appreciate the replies.

I agree #4 should never happen, and I have only read of 1 scenario online of this.

However for #3, "Servizio non Incluso", I have seen this mentioned several places online, either in writing, or more commonly in verbal form. The hope is that Americans will then feel compelled to tip big. It sounds like either way, I am probably not going to see it much.

I already have some tactics ready to employ after a lot of reading:

1. Ask for the menu in Italian, as sometimes the stated Service Charge is only on English Menus
2. Only order specific items from the menu, and confirm exact price of each item
3. Ask for the Ricevuta Fiscale, and even insist on it (I know what they are supposed to look like)
4. Tip a little depending on service (typically 1-2 Euro, possibly 5-10% MAX)

Thanks

Kris

nytraveler

It seems to be that you are really overthinking this.

Have been to Italy many times and this has never been a problem. Not saying it is impossible - but if you avoid the tourist traps (those places right near major sights that have menus in 14 languages - or, god forbid, pictures of the food) -you should not see this anywhere.

As for tipping in the US - that is a whole other issue - and if the waitstaff got a living wage (versus $2 per hour and a free meal it wouldn't be necessary) - but that's not the system we have. And the government charges sales tax on top of everything - except unprepared food in a market - the % depending on the specific city and state. That's one of the reasons we travel - to see other ways of doing things.

StCirq

I'm not sure why anyone needs any special "tactics" to eat in Italy. Or what you mean by "only order specific items from the menu"-isn't that what everyone does? And confirming the exact price of every item is pretty much guaranteed to tick of a waiter and make you seem like a hostile customer.

What are you so worried about?

sumocomputers

@StCirq

No, not everyone orders specific items from the menu. Often you ask the waiter or chef to bring you whatever is good and in season. Or The waiter offers you things off-menu. Or something that goes by weight and expensive (like Fish or Steak), where the weight usually comes out more than what they originally said.

As far as confirming, I meant that when you get the bill just confirming that it matches what you saw written, that's all.

And what am I worried about? Well, here are 3 articles (out of many) that caused me to be concerned. Though I am not concerned any more, just well prepared.

http://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/tra...ating-in-italy

http://www.parlafood.com/grano-and-t...service-charg/

http://www.reidsitaly.com/planning/m...ffs_scams.html

jamikins

I would really not worry about this...there are so many things in life worrying about...this is not one of them. You can get scammed anywhere and find articles on scams for pretty much anywhere. Go to Italy and enjoy, you really don't need to stress about this.

StCirq

Well, if this is a concern of yours and you want to ask the waiter to bring you special seasonal items or things that are priced by weight, you need to know the language. Simple. But it's NOT an assumption that if you don't you'll get scammed.

Agree - this just isn't something to get all hyped over. Go, eat, enjoy.

janisj

Sumo: I honestly think you have nothing to worry about. I do think you are WAY over thinking things. What you are worried about w/ restaurant bills/service charges just isn't an issue.

What are you going to do in the few other situations where you actually <i>might</i> be scammed? Like DCC for instance??

Sassafrass

Things like this can happen in many places. Cabbie in NYC refused to unlock the trunk and give my DD her luggage until she paid nearly twice the original and appropriate price. Late at night, not much she could do. While annoying, they don't happen too often and life is too short to spend much time worrying about them.

There will always be other times when people do something extra and don't charge. A taxi driver in Barcelona had a set price for taking us from our hotel to a dance venue, then insisted on taking us to see some of Gaudi's architecture all lighted at night. He turned the meter off, said he was going off duty, and would take no extra money or tip for any of it.

If you can take precautions to prevent being scammed, great. Otherwise, relax, eat, drink, enjoy it. In the end, things seem to all equal out.

sumocomputers

Appreciate all the advice.

I will enjoy myself, and not worry about potential scams.

As much as I love using credit cards for the convenience, I plan on using cash whenever feasible (and avoid DCC altogether).

Thanks,

Kris

Ackislander

I have twice had a variation of #4, once in Venice, once in Rome. I reported on them here . In neither case was the line on the bill, but I was pursued to the door by a hostile waiter wanting a tip.

I raised unholy hell in both instances. I also decided to always to have enough cash for any meal I eat in Italy. If things seem at all sketchy, I now pay in cash, exactly what is written down -- unless I want to tip.

bilboburgler

gosh, just back from Italy and used cards virtually all the time. DCC is easy to avoid, just don't pay it man