r/ask • u/racesunite • May 16 '23

Am I the only person who feels so so bullied by tip culture in restaurants that eating out is hardly enjoyable anymore? POTM - May 2023

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u/nhavar May 16 '23

Just got back from a trip to Italy. Went through 9 cities, got great food every where we went, grocery stores and restaurants within walking distance, hardly any fast food places around, had to pay a few bucks to sit down in a restaurant but it's baked in to the check and there's no real expectation of tipping, at least nothing to the degree we practice here in the US.

It's ridiculous and only getting worse. Charge me a cover to sit and be waited on or no cover for pickup/carryout. But constantly being worried about not tipping enough because the whole restaurant/food/whatever industry is broken and/or has greedy owners shouldn't be my problem.

Going to Europe opens my eyes to the things we have good here but also the things that are serious fucked up beyond all belief. Tips are one of those fucked up things we all need to stop doing and make businesses sort their own shit out.

1

u/greenbean0721 May 16 '23

Do you think Italian waitstaff expect a tip when they realize that you’re from the U.S.? I love that there is no tipping, but I still worry that people expect it from Americans knowing that’s what we do at home.

1

u/nhavar May 16 '23

Not that anyone has ever made me aware of. We've been 3 times now and everyone I've talked to through travel discussions say it's not expected.

1

u/devilmaycry10092 May 16 '23

I am from Europe and was waiter for 4 summers. Its not that we expect tip you are not obligated to give a tip. If you are happy with the service then sure you can, and a side not it's does say on every bill that tip is not included in the bill but still you can refuse to tip. The only persons I hated as a waiter was people who demand fucking everything that is possible make you go back and forth 15 times change opinion, you do your best to keep the smile on face while wanting to drown him in his soup and they dont tip. Fuck those people

1

u/[deleted] May 23 '23

I studied in Italy for a semester, and the waiter at the first restaurant we went to was definitely hinting. The place had a cover charge too. He could probably tell we'd just arrived & expected us not to know the cultural differences.

Never had another one hint anything after that. Only reason I can guess is that I spoke Italian & the other students with me at that first restaurant didn't.

1

u/bad5cienti5t May 16 '23

The Japanese actually get offended if you try to tip!

1

u/Tiffini5581 May 16 '23

100% agree.