Why You Shouldn’t Tip in US Dollars in Italy

A Respectful Reminder to American Travelers in Italy –While sipping my morning espresso and scrolling through my social feed, a post from La Bandita Townhouse in Pienza, Tuscany caught my eye. It wasn’t a flashy promo or a photo of rolling vineyards — it was a respectful, clear-eyed reminder to American travelers: please don’t tip in US dollars.

La Bandita at La Bandita Townhouse

“A respectful reminder to our beloved American guests: please don’t tip US Dollars. The gesture of appreciation is of course welcome, but (leaving aside the unpleasant current aspects) the blithe arrogance (or ignorance, or laziness) does not go unnoticed. As a traveler here, you have easy access to Euros at competitive rates at any bank machine which are everywhere. While for Italians here, US Dollars are practically useless. Most Italians working in basic hospitality jobs are not themselves global travelers, and have limited banking services that do not include global currency exchange. In our area, there is one place, an hour drive away that will exchange US dollars to locals (and at rates that would shock you). In cities, exchange kiosks are in disappearing and inconvenient and unpleasant. A couple times a year I ask our staff, their family and friends to bring in what US dollars they have, and I give them Euros at favorable rates. Without this access to an American with a US bank account, those US Dollars you give in appreciation often end up in a jar on a shelf at home for years. And remember, that with any legitimate Italian business, workers here are paid living wages by law, and tips are simply extra. So give freely, if you want, with no obligation, but do so in a way that conveys the real value of your appreciation. “

See the post on Facebook:

I’ve been living in Italy for over 20 years, and I must admit — I’ve never encountered this. I once worked at an American-style restaurant in Milan, and while we did get the occasional over-generous tip, it was always in euros. But reading La Bandita’s post, it’s clear this is becoming common enough for them to address publicly. And I applaud them for it.

The post was written with admirable tact. It acknowledged the kind intent behind tipping, while firmly explaining why leaving dollars in Italy is simply unhelpful. Unlike popular American destinations like Mexico or the Caribbean, where tipping in dollars is welcomed, in Italy it creates more hassle than help. As La Bandita explained, Italian hospitality workers are not typically global travelers. Most don’t have access to currency exchange services — certainly not for small amounts of cash. Those tips in US dollars often end up sitting in a jar on a shelf, literally useless.

La Bandita’s tone was just right — clear, kind, and confident. They made their point without shame or sarcasm. They even addressed a subtle but important reality: workers in Italy, especially in licensed hospitality businesses, are paid living wages. Tipping is not expected, and certainly not relied upon, as it often is in the U.S. A gratuity here is just that — a gesture of extra appreciation, not a substitute for wages. And that’s why, if you do tip, it should be in a form that has real, local value.

I haven’t had the pleasure of staying at La Bandita Townhouse, but this one post has intrigued me. I’d love to speak with the owner — once their high season winds down — and learn more about their approach to hospitality, and perhaps share their perspective further with MilanoStyle.com readers.

The post left me reflecting on how small gestures, like tipping, carry different meanings in different cultures. What seems generous in one place can be misguided in another. Travel isn’t just about visiting new places — it’s about understanding them.

So, dear travelers: tip if you feel moved to do so. But do it in euros. Let your appreciation have value in every sense of the word.

Celia Abernethy
Editor, MilanoStyle.com

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