Simon Calder's Helpdesk: How much should I tip in restaurants in Italy?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Q. How much should I tip in restaurants in Italy?
A. Somewhere between nothing and not much. Assuming that your meal, like most in Italy, is prepared with panache and served with style, then a nominal gesture of perhaps a couple of euros on a €50 bill is sufficient (that's 4 per cent, if you prefer percentages). But if it was merely adequate, or downright poor, then be comfortable about not leaving anything.
That advice is unlikely to be welcomed by waiters in restaurants in and around tourist areas, where they are accustomed to Americans leaving 15 per cent-plus and British travellers sticking rigidly to 10 per cent. But at a good, ordinary, family-run trattoria, and even the fanciest waterside ristorante in Portofino or along the Amalfi Coast, a modest tip will be regarded as sufficient.
Click HERE to email Simon.
You can also tweet him your questions @SimonCalder
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments