Okay, fam: the customer is not always right. Frankly, more often than not, the customer is an idiot. However, when you’re working in food service, you have to repeat this mantra to yourself repeatedly on a day-to-day basis just to avoid having a pulmonary embolism. From getting stiffed on tips to fielding unreasonably high-maintenance requests, a restaurant server expertly fends off bullsh*t on the regular.
But, every so often, a particularly delightful customer will come along and make up for all the jerks.
Imgur user seminole was recently a server for a group of 13-year-olds who were celebrating homecoming at a local restaurant. Despite offering great customer service for their large group, seminole was annoyed to discover that the young teens only left behind $3.82 as a tip. Under normal circumstances, this incident would have simply become one of many infuriating food service stories.
Fortunately, the teens realized their mistake and took steps to make amends.
The 13-year-olds left a note for seminole, written in marker, apologizing for the misunderstanding — apparently, it was their first time dining out alone, and leaving a tip was a somewhat mystifying concept.
The teens brought a belated 18% tip (plus a bit extra) as a way of saying “thank you.”
Seminole posted a photo of the note to Imgur, accompanied by the caption:
Nothing more frustrating than when I get little to nothing for a tip and the customer is smiling and thanking me profusely as they exit. These kids came back another day and left this for me at the front desk, with $18 and some change. I’ve been serving a long time, and nothing like this has ever happened to me, or anyone. I don’t know how you learned or educated yourself on tipping, but I really appreciate the effort and kindness. I hope your Homecoming was fantastic!
While I’m a little concerned at the teens’ confusion over how much a tip should be (it feels like something you’d figure out before dining out alone??), I also have to give these adolescents major props on giving credit and kindness where it’s due.
Hopefully, their homecoming was less awkward than their dining experience …