Rare VMax1700 Posted August 25, 2019 #76 Share Posted August 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Truluv said: Just verifying - does the "no tipping" policy also apply to hotel maids? Or hotel concierage? Is tipping EVER expected - if so, under what circumstances? Applies to them too! They are Service Industry Professionals and do not require tipping! This includes barmen/bar staff. Only time we tip is in a restaurant for very good service/food when we will round up a couple (1,2 or 3 max) of euro for a meal up to €40 or so and maybe, maybe $5 for a very good meal with matching service if the bill come to €50 or €60. Taxis - just round up. P.S. we feel absolutely no guilt in doing this and you should feel the same when here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare VMax1700 Posted August 25, 2019 #77 Share Posted August 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Truluv said: our prepaid hotel confirmation in Rome mentioned an 8 Euro tax per night that will be collected during our stay as an add-on. Can this tax be paid by credit card? Does it count as a VAT tax if planning to apply for a refund? it is 'City Tax' and is not VAT therefore it is not subject to refund. Unless you are staying in a very small hotel, then they will take credit cards. Easiest way to check is to read your booking confirmation and if it mentions that a credit card needs to be presented at check in to guarantee any additional charges, then they will most certainly take a credit card for the charge. Note that Visa/Mastercard are ok, but American Express is not widely accepted (except in large hotels!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truluv Posted August 25, 2019 #78 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Thank you! The answers have been very helpful! Can't believe I've finally hit my 30-day count-down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax129 Posted January 3, 2020 #79 Share Posted January 3, 2020 I really appreciate this tread. My husband is a restaurant server & relies on tips so he is a big tipper & we are going to Rome and cruising the Med in 2021. I'm a bit relieved as I'm trying to plan a budget & it's interesting to hear Europeans feel almost insulted by our over tipping. It's such a part of our culture. So glad for these other points of view! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Bonjour Posted January 6, 2020 #80 Share Posted January 6, 2020 On 1/2/2020 at 9:24 PM, Jax129 said: I really appreciate this tread. My husband is a restaurant server & relies on tips so he is a big tipper & we are going to Rome and cruising the Med in 2021. I'm a bit relieved as I'm trying to plan a budget & it's interesting to hear Europeans feel almost insulted by our over tipping. It's such a part of our culture. So glad for these other points of view! Glad you found the info helpful Jax. Before I went to college I worked for tips as well and ever since, I tip well; only because I know that life and it is what it is. But when I traveled, I feel responsible to do my best to respect the culture of wherever I am visiting, even if it's not so easy...and it isn't always, though it's not a big deal. Especially if we have the information ahead of time and can plan. Enjoy this part of the process, it's exciting and before you know it, you'll be on your way. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VitaminSea53 Posted January 9, 2020 #81 Share Posted January 9, 2020 I notice the website info for airport transfers in Rome states the following. It makes it seem like a gratuity is expected. I am confused. “Your quoted fare includes a private deluxe vehicle with a professional chauffeur licensed by the municipality of Rome, fuel cost (which runs approximately 20% of the fare) applicable tolls, insurance, airport parking fees, Italy’s 23% VAT tax. Gratuity is not included.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare VMax1700 Posted January 9, 2020 #82 Share Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, VitaminSea53 said: I notice the website info for airport transfers in Rome states the following. It makes it seem like a gratuity is expected. I am confused. “Your quoted fare includes a private deluxe vehicle with a professional chauffeur licensed by the municipality of Rome, fuel cost (which runs approximately 20% of the fare) applicable tolls, insurance, airport parking fees, Italy’s 23% VAT tax. Gratuity is not included.” The English language is a wonderful weapon! Gratuity is not included means exactly that - it is not included. Why is it not included - because it is not necessary. As mentioned previously in the thread, if you get exceptional service then feel free to tip a small amount. If the service is not exceptional then no tip is required or expected. Edited January 9, 2020 by VMax1700 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euro cruiser Posted January 9, 2020 #83 Share Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) 8 hours ago, VitaminSea53 said: I notice the website info for airport transfers in Rome states the following. It makes it seem like a gratuity is expected. I am confused. “Your quoted fare includes a private deluxe vehicle with a professional chauffeur licensed by the municipality of Rome, fuel cost (which runs approximately 20% of the fare) applicable tolls, insurance, airport parking fees, Italy’s 23% VAT tax. Gratuity is not included.” You are quoting from an English language web site (with no option for the Italian language) with a .com address (not .uk or .au or .it), the target audience is Americans and they are speaking "American" more than English. It feels comfortable to Americans, and don't we all want to do business with individuals and companies that feel comfortable? There are lots of professional drivers in Italy, but only a small percent of them are fluent in English, outgoing and comfortable chatting up strangers for hours a day. All of the car service companies that target the American business are competing for the services of this small percentage of drivers and one way to do that is to promise them that the company will do what it can to get Americans to tip. Edited January 9, 2020 by euro cruiser 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Despegue Posted January 9, 2020 #84 Share Posted January 9, 2020 These websites are basically scamming US citizens in making them believe that a tip is necessary. IT IS NOT. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ninjacat123 Posted February 7, 2020 #85 Share Posted February 7, 2020 On 1/2/2020 at 9:24 PM, Jax129 said: I really appreciate this tread. My husband is a restaurant server & relies on tips so he is a big tipper & we are going to Rome and cruising the Med in 2021. I'm a bit relieved as I'm trying to plan a budget & it's interesting to hear Europeans feel almost insulted by our over tipping. It's such a part of our culture. So glad for these other points of view! I waited tables many years ago and what brought the hourly wage down was that the government assumed the waiter was making at least 7% in tips off of the amount of sales for the night. So, if I served $100 of food/beverages to a table the government would assume I made at least $7 in tips from that table and I was taxed on that in my paycheck from the restaurant. Is that the case now? Just curious... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax129 Posted February 8, 2020 #86 Share Posted February 8, 2020 I do believe they Have to claim at least 8% The minimum wage for servers now in Florida is $5 an hour. It still pays better than some jobs though if you work in the right place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrJ Berks Posted February 28, 2020 #87 Share Posted February 28, 2020 On 1/9/2020 at 3:00 PM, Despegue said: These websites are basically scamming US citizens in making them believe that a tip is necessary. IT IS NOT. Totally agree no need to tip in Europe or Italy :Proper wages are paid, not the US slave rates which rely on tipping, the whole process of this is not required in 21st century Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lagerta Posted July 17, 2020 #88 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Well tips are definetely not obligatory but we always leave it if the service was good! And it's very good most of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran2020 Posted October 31, 2020 #89 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Not the first time I see posts on this forum about tipping - to tip or not to tip :). I personally think the European model is much better than the one we are used to in the US, it always gives you a choice - if you like the service, you can always give some extra coins, but this is not a must. I have been to Italy not just once, and I have never noticed anyone got insulted when I left 1-2 euros extra for a dinner, but on the other hand it was always clear they never made a big deal of it, I am pretty sure the service would have been same even if I just 'd paid my bill and that's it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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