What’s the Roman etiquette in regard to tipping?
Tipping in the U.S. is mandatory because waiters and waitresses are paid below minimum wage. The first 8-10% of a U.S. tip simply brings the waiter up to living wage. This is not the case in Rome. Waiters make living wage by law. Thus, tips are intended to signal approval. I generally consider what I would tip in the U.S. and subtract 10%. So, if service was good, I give 5% instead of 15%. If it was exceptional, I give 10% instead of 20%. Don’t believe waiters who tell you that service isn’t included. Technically, they may be right: There is no “tip” specifically in the bill. But you need to think of the wider social picture.
Tipping in the U.S. is mandatory because waiters and waitresses are paid below minimum wage. The first 8-10% of a U.S. tip simply brings the waiter up to living wage. This is not the case in Rome. Waiters make living wage by law. Thus, tips are intended to signal approval. I generally consider what I would tip in the U.S. and subtract 10%. So, if service was good, I give 5% instead of 15%. If it was exceptional, I give 10% instead of 20%. Don’t believe waiters who tell you that service isn’t included. Technically, they may be right: There is no “tip” specifically in the bill. But you need to think of the wider social picture. The same goes for other services such as bartenders, hairdressers, and taxi drivers.
