Being a server at a restaurant is hard work.
On a typical shift, servers have to keep their energy level high and enthusiastic while remembering orders, carrying trays of hot food and drinks and always staying poised. Although many restaurants don’t pay huge amounts for what is a very stressful job, the waitstaff are often able to sustain themselves because of the tips they receive. However strange the custom of tipping may be in other countries, tipping is a very important part of the economy in the United States.
It also means that not leaving a tip is a big social faux pas.
That’s why it’s embarrassing to be caught without money for a tip, to say the least.
This is the situation that happened in one restaurant when three 13-year-olds came into a restaurant to eat before homecoming. Although the meal was good and the service was great, the kids had never been at a restaurant on their own before and forgot to bring the extra money they needed for a tip. Although they left what they had on them, it wasn’t enough for a “good” gratuity.
Still, they were determined to make it up to their server.
To make sure the server knew the full situation, they teamed up to write him a note explaining what had happened.
The letter was shared on Imgur by user Seminole where it has been shared many times. The note read:
“Dr Mr. Waiter, ‘About a week and a half ago, on October 7, my friends and I came to eat at this restaurant as our own homecoming celebration. It was an exciting experience for us to be here alone, and it was all new to us, and you were the best waiter we could ask for.
You were kind, helpful, accommodating, didn’t treat us like babies, and were even able to fit the food to all my allergies! So I wanted to say thank you for making our “grown up” experience so amazing and fun. ‘I would also like to say sorry on behalf of my group. Since we were new to all this, our 13 year old minds didn’t exactly know how to deal with the bill. You were super helpful in dividing the check up and taking our not-so-preferable cash. ‘The bill was reasonable, but we had completely forgotten (and frankly didn’t know) what a tip even was, let alone how much to give. So we emptied our pockets and all our money added up to $3.28. Not aware of how small this really was, we left, clueless, of what we had left you for all your hard work. ‘Later, we realized our mistake and felt HORRIBLE. We knew we had to make it right. So in this envelope you will find the correct 18% tip and extra for simply being amazing. ‘We appreciate your help and patience, and thank you for making our night fun. Thank you! – The 4 teenagers from that night.”
For his part, the server was very gracious about the entire experience—and now has the rest of his tip as well!
Above all, the fact that these kids recognized their mistake and went out of their way to correct it says a lot. Though it’s easy to forget the lives of others when we’re busy or in a hurry, slowing down and being our best selves pays huge dividends.
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