Italy from the Inside

When you have to go, you have to go

Using the restroom in Italy- Italy from the Inside

When visiting big Italian cities keep in mind that public restrooms are easier to find near tourist attractions. Most of the time a small fee is required and there is usually an attendant (who expects to be tipped). Either way, always have some change with you. Remember: Uomini means Men, Donne means Women.

Besides, by law you have the right to use a bar/coffee house restroom, however many times they allow only customers to use their facilities (sometimes they lock the restroom and you have to ask the bartender for the key). For this reason, it is advisable, and certainly more polite, to get something at the bar before using the toilet.

{This is an excerpt from Chapter 15 “Miscellaneous information” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”}

The secrets of dining in Italy- Part 2

Servizio- Italy from the Inside

A menu showing the cost of the servizio and the cestino di pane (small bread basket)

In Italian restaurants many times there is a charge called servizio, which is a percentage for the service provided. In other words the tip (mancia) for the waiter (cameriere). This charge is automatically added to the bill (conto), and when this happens it’ll say servizio incluso or servizio compreso. If not, it will say servizio non incluso or servizio non compreso.

If the servizio is included and it’s more than 15%, then the tip is not necessary (unless you want to double-tip the waiter since he has been bravo). On the other hand, if it is not included, adding a 10% to 15% tip (mancia) will make the waiter very happy. You’ll find this information either on your bill or on the menu (see photo above).

Remember also that the tax is always included in the bill.

***DID YOU KNOW?
As the coperto, also the servizio also originated from the past when employment contracts didn’t exist and the restaurant staff was paid in percentage on orders from customers and tables that were served. The servizio was, in fact, the salary of the waiter, but this item remains even today, despite the waiters are paid regularly. ***

This is an excerpt from Chapter 3 “Italian cuisine and food establishments” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”}

The secrets of dining in Italy- Part 1

Coperto- Italy from the Inside

Menu showing the coperto

The majority of the Italian restaurants apply a fixed charge, called coperto. The coperto is applied for the simple reason that you occupy a set table (tavolo), therefore it is meant to cover all the expenses related to it (such as napkins, tablecloths, bread, etc.). The coperto is usually about €2 per person but, eventually, the cost depends on the type of restaurant.

*** DID YOU KNOW?
The coperto finds its origins in the inns and taverns of the past, where people stopped for refreshment during a trip or to take a break during a workday.
In many cases, customers would bring their own food prepared at home, which is why the innkeeper was charging a small fee for the bread and the seat that was used.***

This is an excerpt from Chapter 3 “Italian cuisine and food establishments” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”}