Tipping

In restaurants a service charge of about 15% usually appears as a separate item on your check.
A few restaurants state on the menu that cover and service charge are included.
Either way, it's customary to leave an additional 5%-10% tip for the waiter, depending on the service.
Tip checkroom attendants 500 lire per person, rest-room attendants 200 lire; in both cases tip more in expensive hotels and restaurants.
Tip 100 lire for whatever you drink standing up at a coffee bar, 500 lire or more for table service in a smart café, and less in neighborhood cafés.
At a hotel bar tip 1,000 lire and up for a round or two of cocktails.
Taxi drivers are usually happy with 5%-10% of the meter amount.
Railway and airport porters charge a fixed rate per bag. Tip an additional 500 lire per person, but more if the porter is very helpful.
Theater ushers expect 500 lire per person, but more for very expensive seats.
Give a barber 2,000-3,000 lire and a hairdresser's assistant 3,000-8,000 lire for a shampoo or cut, depending on the type of establishment.
On sightseeing tours, tip guides about 2,000 lire per person for a half-day group tour, more if they are very good.
In museums and other places of interest where admission is free, a contribution is expected; give anything from 500 to 1,000 lire for one or two persons, more if the guardian has been especially helpful.
Service station attendants are tipped only for special services.

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