Tipping in Italy - 2014
May 1st, 2014, 08:53 AM
#1
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Tipping in Italy - 2014
I just returned from my 5th trip (since 2007) to Italy.
I've rented an apartment in Venice the last four trips, all from the same owner. She is nice enough to leave a binder with useful info (wifi user data, where the nearest grocery/pharmacist/etc is, maps, etc).
This time, I was surprised to find the below included, regarding tipping. This is verbatim from the document she left in the binder:
<i>Tipping in Venice
Among Italian travelers, tipping until recently was considered the exception rather than the rule; however, the influx of foreigners in Venice has raised expectations among service industry workers.
The following guidelines, which apply to Venice, could be reduced in smaller cities and towns.
In an osteria or trattoria, unless the menu states that service is included, a service charge of about 12% may appear as a separate item on your bill. Either way, it’s customary to leave an additional 5% to 10% tip, depending on the quality of service and the number of servers involved.
When seated at a bar, tip about 10% of the bar bill.
Italians tip taxi drivers only under exceptional circumstances but in Venice, where boat drivers are often expected to hoist heavy bags on and off the boat, EUR5-EUR10 is reasonable per couple.
Railway and airport porters charge a fixed rate per bag but if porters are very helpful, tip an additional EUR1 per person.
On sightseeing tours, tip guides about EUR1-EUR2 per person for a half-day group tour, more if they are very good.
In museums and other places of interest where admission is free, helpful assistants should be tipped EUR1.</i>
Of course, you don't have to agree with it. I post it just as an FYI and you can take it or leave it. (My apartment owner is a native to Venice and has two apartments she owns besides the house she resides in- all in Venice.)
Buon viaggio!
I've rented an apartment in Venice the last four trips, all from the same owner. She is nice enough to leave a binder with useful info (wifi user data, where the nearest grocery/pharmacist/etc is, maps, etc).
This time, I was surprised to find the below included, regarding tipping. This is verbatim from the document she left in the binder:
<i>Tipping in Venice
Among Italian travelers, tipping until recently was considered the exception rather than the rule; however, the influx of foreigners in Venice has raised expectations among service industry workers.
The following guidelines, which apply to Venice, could be reduced in smaller cities and towns.
In an osteria or trattoria, unless the menu states that service is included, a service charge of about 12% may appear as a separate item on your bill. Either way, it’s customary to leave an additional 5% to 10% tip, depending on the quality of service and the number of servers involved.
When seated at a bar, tip about 10% of the bar bill.
Italians tip taxi drivers only under exceptional circumstances but in Venice, where boat drivers are often expected to hoist heavy bags on and off the boat, EUR5-EUR10 is reasonable per couple.
Railway and airport porters charge a fixed rate per bag but if porters are very helpful, tip an additional EUR1 per person.
On sightseeing tours, tip guides about EUR1-EUR2 per person for a half-day group tour, more if they are very good.
In museums and other places of interest where admission is free, helpful assistants should be tipped EUR1.</i>
Of course, you don't have to agree with it. I post it just as an FYI and you can take it or leave it. (My apartment owner is a native to Venice and has two apartments she owns besides the house she resides in- all in Venice.)
Buon viaggio!
May 2nd, 2014, 05:38 AM
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Yes, I understand that ignorant Americans have caused this awful shift in expectations.
It's such a curse- perhaps if we try harder to discourage Americans from being so damn generous, we can nip this in the bud. Let's try, shall we?
It's such a curse- perhaps if we try harder to discourage Americans from being so damn generous, we can nip this in the bud. Let's try, shall we?
May 2nd, 2014, 07:19 AM
#6
Good feedback Sarge.
I struggle with the whole culture/taboo thing. If I go to Sicily should I commit violence and corruption or should I import my culture of honesty? Similarly should I force tips on people who expect their employer to pay them a living wage?
I guess we all have to make these decisions, just a little tipping and corruption then.
I struggle with the whole culture/taboo thing. If I go to Sicily should I commit violence and corruption or should I import my culture of honesty? Similarly should I force tips on people who expect their employer to pay them a living wage?
I guess we all have to make these decisions, just a little tipping and corruption then.
