It is not very common for Italians to give huge tips. In fact, Italians don't give tips at all. There have been stories of tourists leaving tips on the table only to be followed by a waiter with the money: "Excuse me Mister, you left this!" That is why there is an option to not give tips. They already include the service charge in the bill. This is 20% of the amount.

<b>Tipping in restaurants</b>
This is called the 'coperto' or the cover charge. It depends on what kind of restaurant you are in. The coperto ranges between 1 to 3 euros. This amount is automatically added. The common understanding is that this goes to the waiter or waitress who served you. That is not the case. This goes to the owner of the restaurant.

Now if you find the service outstanding, then you can round up your total bill. If it is really excellent, a good tip is 10 euros. This will definitely make the staff happy. By doing this, you are giving the tip to the waiter or waitress. However, you must know that you are not obligated to do this because the service charge is already covered.

<b>Taxi drivers</b>
Giving a taxi driver tip for his service is considered to be unusual. But this is greatly appreciated especially if you ask him to help you with your luggage as well as to provide you with the information you need about getting around particular places. You can also tip hotel porters and hotel concierge, especially if they made your stay really enjoyable.

About the Author:

Ken Sand updates Dirt Cheap Rome, the Rome travel guide for tourists on a tight budget.

Author: Ken Sand