Yes, tipping is a common custom in Rome and Italy in general, though attitudes and norms vary somewhat across different services.
Here’s what you need to know when it comes to tipping in Rome to avoid awkward situations:
- At restaurants, a “servizio” charge is often already included in the bill. If not, tips usually range from rounding up the bill to leaving 5-10% for exceptional service.
- At cafes and bars, Italians generally leave anywhere from 10-50 cents for the baristas when ordering quick drinks at the bar counter. Sitting at a table may incur extra charges.
- In hotels, it’s fairly common to leave €0.50-1 tips for bellhops, room cleaning staff and other helpful service. Higher end hotels often garner 10-15% tips.
- Taxis drivers rarely get tipped by Italians but tourists generally round up the fare by 1 euro or some spare change.
- Gondola rides in Venice cost €80+ so visitors often tip gondoliers 10% of the fare, or €1-2 euros per person.
- Hairdressers, porters, tour guides also appreciate small tips of a couple euros or 5-10% of service cost.
The key things to remember are:
1. Exceptional service warrants higher tips
2. Italians themselves generally tip very modestly or not at all, so small gratuities are sufficient and
3. Some charges/fees for amenities or table service may already be built into bills at restaurants and hotels
Table of Contents:
1. Where Did the Tradition of “Tipping” Originate?
2. Tipping Traditions
2.1. Tipping in Restaurants and Cafes
2.2. Tipping in Hotels
2.3. Tipping Cab Drivers, Gas Station Attendants, and Tour Guides
3. My Personal Tipping Experiences in Rome
Origins of the Tipping Tradition
Although called different things across cultures, a tip essentially refers to an extra amount paid to service staff on top of the bill. This concept has been around for ages.
14th century German chronicles mention the term “trinkgeld,” literally meaning “drinking money.” This referred to small sums given as a token of gratitude to folks who helped carry free water from city wells. In 14th century England, the term “underwriter” emerged, meaning “insurance” for prompt service. This referred to small sums left in brass boxes in coffee houses.
Nowadays, tips signify modest gratitude for fast, quality service. Tips are not fixed amounts and guests decide for themselves whether to tip. Small acts of gratitude for good service and friendly attitudes are always appreciated.
Tipping Traditions
In Italy, an oddity is that tips are often already included in restaurant bills via mandatory service charges. The “servizio e coperto” line reflects this pre-added amount.
The coperto charge originated in the early 1900s when people commonly brought food from home into taverns, only buying the wine. This allowed taverns to attract more customers.
The coperto supposedly reflected the costs for using plates, utensils and tablecloths. Now the coperto is typically 1.5-3 euros per person or 10% of the order, but can be higher at fancy restaurants. It’s good to ask about it ahead of time to properly budget.
In most other cases, tipping for good service is common practice in Italy.
However, Italians themselves see tipping as unnecessary. Only for exceptional service might locals leave 10% or more. To encourage swift service, their tips rarely exceed a couple euros. In groups, the tip amount is split between everyone. Italian servers, cab drivers and hotel staff rely heavily on generous tourist tipping.
Tipping in Restaurants and Cafes in Rome
Patrons not only want good food at restaurants but pleasant service and atmosphere too. Excellent service merits a 5-euro tip, quite sufficient to satisfy the waiter.
The order amount is irrelevant. Good service warrants appreciation whether serving exquisite dishes or a simple plate of spaghetti. Of course, if you wait excessively, receive inattentive service or subpar food, you needn’t tip for a spoiled experience.
First-timers should know that even ordering one coffee at a cafe table may incur a service charge. That’s why Italians often drink standing at the bar but leave small change for the barista.
At obvious tourist traps near the Vatican, Colosseum, Pantheon or Piazza Navona, shocking coperto fees of 10+ euros per person appear.
Tip: Don’t hesitate to ask about coperto fees when sitting down and scrutinize prices first.
Tipping in Hotels in Rome
Tipping is increasingly commonplace in hotels in Rome providing seamless, discreet service. Such hotels incorporate expenses into room costs, allowing greater guest freedom. With no obvious person to tip, gratitude can be tricky.
In traditional hotels in Italy you may still encounter a flashy doorman to greet you. Rarely do Italians tip them but during holidays like Christmas or Easter, 1-2 euros is appropriate. Bellhops receive around 0.5 euros for taxi or luggage assistance.
Typical gratuities for room service food/drinks, laundry services or attentive cleaning are 0.5-1 euro. Tourists often base tips on hotel star ratings, with more luxury meaning higher tips.
Recently, politely leaving packaged snacks/drinks for housekeepers has become appreciated.
Tipping Cab Drivers, Gas Station Attendants, and Tour Guides
Various services remain popular across Italy. Fixed taxi fares stay relatively affordable for locals, so tips generally top out around 1 euro. Drivers earn decent wages already.
Gas attendants providing window cleaning or pumping assistance merit around 0.5 euros, especially since you’ll likely frequent that station again. Their help is invaluable for unfamiliar foreign drivers.
A gondola ride, for example, costs 80 euros for 30 minutes. The spectacular experience warrants tipping your gondolier about 10%, or 1-2 euros per person in a group. Other reasonable gratuities include 0.25 euros for porters, 3-5 euros for hairdressers and 5-10% of the total for tour guides.
Tipping in Rome shows appreciation but remains optional. Don’t forget people’s dignity when showing gratitude.
My Tipping Experiences in Rome
Unfortunately, decent service at many Roman restaurants is sorely lacking. When facing slow service, avoid getting visibly irritated as that won’t help. Just accept it, relax and have some wine! You’ll encounter similar attitudes with hotel staff, cab drivers and guides – good service is hit or miss. When I experience excellent service in Rome or anywhere else in Italy, I make certain to tip.
