Zuckerberg and Roman tipping culture

[jen kalb]

pretty remarkable tempest in a teapot

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology...

[penny07]

I don't care if tipping is not customary in Italy. If you are Mark Zuckerberg you can spare 20% of your bill!!!

[vinoroma]

That is like saying "i don't care you drive small cars here bcs your streets are narrow, if you are mz you can give the peeps you meet a big SUV"

[ospreycove]

One must acknowledge; that "an uber wealthy American tourist" whose name is now a household word,, might be expected leave a few coins on the table, but considering that this guy shows up at the NASDAQ, for his company's IPO in a hoodie, maybe he is not all that worldly..............

[jen kalb]

what difference does that make we could mostly all spare that amount but its a question of custom. He's under no compulsion to spread the wealth .In a way its endearing that he's acting like a normal person.

[allende]

Amen.

[ttoommyy]

Agree with jen kalb, except for the "endearing" part. :)

[ospreycove]

Since my last tome was disappeared by the munchkins at CH; I will end the discussion of Zuckerberg in this way. The Euro Zone needs all the economic help it can get: if it is done through excessive overtipping by tourists., so be it. I think the EU countries should push a program of" PleaseTip To Save The Euro".D'accordo???

[DeppityDawg]

No need to spend precious bail-out money on an official advertising campaign. I think we can expect to see a spontaneous grass-roots movement leading to greatly increased instances of rip-offs and robberies targeting tourists.

Please bring plenty of cash and carry it conveniently in your back pocket. Or just leave it in your rental car or hotel room along with your jewelry and your fancy touchscreen gadgets. We'll take care of the rest.

[ospreycove]

Flashy Bling also is advised!!! Bring your best!!!!!

[Tuscanlover]

This is getting silly!

Leave Zuckerberg alone. He can do what he likes with his money just as you can with yours.

Of course he is not very worldly - he's American isn't he.

[steve h.]

Sounds like MZ got it right.

[twyst]

I guess the moral of this story is "when in rome, don't do like the romans" ?

[Tuscanlover]

But he did do like the Romans if, indeed, it is common not to leave a tip in Italy!

I keep reading that the Italians don't leave tips not that I take much notice since I usually leave one. I do, however, try to remember not to leave a tip if a service charge is already included.

Leaving a space on the bill or credit card receipt (for a tip?) when service is included is the THE big rip off.

[minchilli]

It found it very unprofessional that the owners of Nonna Betta would actually photograph the signed receipt of a private individual and then hand it over the newspapers.(which I think is actually against Italian privacy laws) And on top of that, comment on the fact that he left no tip. Not really the way to attract more customers.

On the other hand, the actual photograph of the newlyweds that has been making the rounds (slightly blurred shots of them eating in a restaurant) was taken at Pierluigi, which is much more accustomed to high profile customers and hasn't commented.

www.elizabethminchilliinrome.com

[barberinibee]

Wait! Wait! This news report misrepresented what happened, if other news reports are to be believed.

The owner DIDN"T criticize the Zuckerbergs at all. He told the press it was normal not to leave a tip in Italy. Furthermore, he said when he finally recognized the adorable couple who were lovingly feeding each other fried zucchini blossoms, he approached them and asked if they were indeed the Zuckerbergs, and found them very pleasant people. He said they were so appreciative of the fried zucchini flowers they ate, he is thinking of re-naming them "fiori fritti di zuccaberg".

I'm sorry I can't remember where I read this, or I'd provide a link.

[DeppityDawg]

The restaurant has a blog entry about this, apparently written by the owner/manager, who really just sounds like someone who was surprised and delighted to see these people in his restaurant.
http://www.nonnabetta.it/fiori-di-zuc...

It is kind of inappropriate to upload photos of someone's credit card receipt to the internet, but at least we have confirmation (if any were needed) that credit card slips in this part of the world do not normally have a tip line, and that [insert very high percentage here] of people who pay by credit card just get up and leave without fishing for loose change, much less a 15-25% American tip, to leave on the table.

[mbfant]

A 15% tip, or even higher, is not appropriate in Rome, but some cash on the table is always appropriate. Restaurants are not allowed to put through credit card charges for an amount different from the total of the receipt, which is why the tip needs to be in cash.

I agree that it's outrageous to publish somebody's receipt.

[barberinibee]

Be funny if Mark Zuckerberg had expectations of privacy on the internet.

[The Professor]

Now THAT's funny!

[vinoroma]

YEs, Nick has his ear at the pulse of Roman blogs and twittersphere - this has been discussed, along with his restaurant and drink choices :) it really was mentioned by several italians that he left no tip, but more in a "all americans do, why didn't he" way. In the corriere della sera article was no mention of the owner being surprised about no tip, only that he regrets not having declared the guests honorary "grandchildren" of nonna betta.