Just asking, after living in France (I’m American but fluent in French) there wasn’t this constantly asking for tips. We just left Rome and are currently two days in Naples and every restaurant and bistrot we are pestered to leave a tip. Several of our tabs in Rome stated at the bottom in fairly large letters “Tip Not Included in Bill” in English! Not Italian but English. I’m wondering if all the Italians that were sitting near us received that same line on their bill. We did not see any native leaving a tip. Last night we went for a Neapolitan pizza and there were a lot of Italians in the place but the sever came over and said twice that the tip wasn’t included. Bought a cappuccino this morning and spoke French to my husband so the server wouldn’t think we were English speakers and he too demanded, yes demanded a tip! Like WTF?? Machestaiadì! I hate the tip fatigue that’s happening in the US, people want tips for take out and even to put veggies in your bag. It’s beyond ridiculous and now et tu Italy? It’s really taking the fun out of our first time here. We’ve always rounded up for coffee or if we go to a high end restaurant in France we leave a little more but this is everywhere. Kinda shocked tbh.
EDIT: thanks for the insight everyone. As our first time visiting Italy (we’re here for five weeks) this was a bit awkward because we definitely aren’t used to it. I’m a foodie and love to cook so my goal is to try the most authentic regional dishes I can and Italian friends have been a massive help. Since COVID, it seems the tipping culture in the US has escalated. I’m not cheap but I don’t feel someone making decent wages should be demanding tips and that’s everywhere, not just the US. As a retired nurse, I started when graduate nurses made hardly anything and in the medical field no matter how difficult our job is, tips are not expected nor accepted, of course nurses make better money now as they should. Wish teachers did. My state seems to pay severs well but it’s also a high cost of living state so there’s that. Italy otherwise has been wonderful, most of the people we have interacted with have been warm, helpful and friendly. I honestly don’t know how the Italians do it. Rome was literally overrun with tourists (in October! , what happened to shoulder seasons?) and we couldn’t wait to escape the crowds and get back to our quiet street in the Prati neighborhood. It was simply an observation and an honest question when this type of thing began, not to create rage bait or ill will. We did overhear an American couple (trying to forge through a small street and a huge tour group) asking themselves what they should tip their tour guide, €30 or €50. Oy vey. 😳
