janisj

>>Actually I do have a handle on tipping in restaurants and in cabs. I follow the italian customs.

I am not taking my american tipping culture with me. Hence the question.

Sheesh. <<

Sorry -- I didn't mean my post to be snarky at all. But it does look that way

Your OP sounded like maybe you would tip left right and everywhere like many American do.

KayTKay

I would agree that everyone here is civilized. Civil, however? Especially not when one of the Fodors hot button, time to be condescending or rude about cultural differences buttons gets pushed. So glad I didn't ask what to wear!

Bvlenci - your last post was helpful, regarding what actually happens in Italy which is what I wanted to know. You solidified my thoughts about tipping or not tipping the driver who will be with us all day long.

Thanks to all those who actually answered my question.

I know what I plan to do now regarding drivers and tours.

Kawh - coperto to is like a cover charge, often pane and coperto or bread and cover. Servizio is the added tip. No, if servizio e incluso I add nothing else. If it is not I just round up to the next euro and don't ask for change. If service was exceptional I might leave an additional euro or two. With taxis I just round up. I've even had a taxi driver take less than the meter because he didn't have change.

colduphere

No shorts in churches. I read that here.

KayTKay

Janisj - thanks. I might have taken it as snarky. Sorry if I over reacted. When I sense condescension, even if it's not there, it sets me off. That's my hot button. I suspect that it is because I spend months, countless hours, researching these trips. Knowing the history and culture and even some of the language of the places we visit. It's a joy for me.

dulciusexasperis

KayTKay, here is the DEFINITIVE answer to tipping. Do what YOU want to do.

The whole subject of tipping just goes nowhere whenever it appears on any forum.

Whether you choose to tip someone or not is your choice, not anyone else's and regardless of what the local customs are. Tip if you feel you have reason to/want to. I often tip in the UK where many say it's not the custom. I don't tip in a New York restaurant where it certainly is the custom, if I didn't like the service.

I decide who I will tip.

colduphere

Worm on hook. Cast completed. Sit quietly.

Dickie_Gr

Nicolaus Copernicus got it so wrong.

The world in fact revolves around dull sex.

KayTKay

I almost always do what I want to do. .

And what I want to do in this situation is to follow the typical customs of the place I am going. It's my southern upbringing y'all. I was taught that you follow the rules of the house where you are a guest and you don't complain about the differences.

That's why I bothered asking.

Dickie_Gr

The world would be a better place if we all had a Southern upbringing!

vincenzo32951

Your friend equates needless tipping with being cuckold? Odd, I've never seen any movies or read any books where the plot revolved around needless tipping.

adrienne

<< ...or read any books where the plot revolved around needless tipping >>

Thanks, vincenzo! I was looking for a theme for my next novel and now I have one!

adrienne

<< No shorts in churches. I read that here. >>

You can get away with it if you tip the church bouncer!

Peter_S_Aus

Adrienne, the tipping threads on Fodors have often approached novel length, and incorporated as much conflict as War and Peace or the Rise And Fall of the Roman Empire.

There will be ample plot outlines on the tipping threads.

And here is a tip - always be kind to your mother

gigi69

As a mother and grandmother,I like Peters_S_Aus' tip the most.

Bokhara2

"And what I want to do in this situation is to follow the typical customs of the place I am going. It's my southern upbringing y'all. I was taught that you follow the rules of the house where you are a guest and you don't complain about the differences. "

Good one, KayTkay. We could ALL do worse than take a leaf out of your book!

adrienne

<< the tipping threads on Fodors have often approached novel length >>

As are the "what to wear" threads! Now we need a "what to wear while over tipping" thread!

Peter_S_Aus

I think that one might wear a somewhat confused and hesitant look.

gigi69

How about what to wear while trippin (think 70s)

constant

In general we don't leave tips here in Italy:
http://tuscany-toscana.blogspot.ch/2...-in-italy.html

See the correct info given by bvlenci above.

Here's the story with regard to restaurants:
http://www.tuscanyitaly.info/restaur...sintuscany.htm

drchris

KayTkay - I can't wait to read your trip report! I loved the one you wrote about the trip with your daughters.