We’ve all been there: we’re eating out in a foreign country and the question arises: how much should I tip? Or, do I have to leave a tip at all? You have probably heard people say that you don’t tip in Italy. Well…that’s not exactly true. Tipping customs around the globe are different and they depend on cultural as well as economic factors.

In the U.S., for instance, tipped workers get a meagre minimum income and the largest part of their salary comes from tips. What is the tipping culture in Italy? Is tipping customary in Italy? When it comes to leaving a tip (la mancia) in Italy, the decision is mostly delegated to the customer, although there are non-written rules and common habits everyone should follow.