So I've received many things over the years in place of money for a tip: T-shirts, books, half a bottle of wine, a drink waiting for me at the bar after my shift, drugs, etc. But I got something the other day that inspired me to take a break from the wine education and talk about this.
I served this couple a late lunch the other day, a couple that was obviously fairly well off. The BMW keys were on the table, the watches were nice, and they were leafing through a home furnishings magazine for the affluent. They were very nice, paid with a gold AMEX (which we technically don't even take), and complimented me on my service. But when I retrieved the credit card slip, a biblical verse was what was written in on the tip line- and there was no cash or any monetary tip involved. I have received prayer cards in the past but they were usually accompanied by at least a couple of bucks. Not this day. Just a preachy prayer pamphlet that basically attacked Catholicism, the religion under which I was raised.
First, remember that servers make between two and three bucks an hour. As much as I like to have a drink after work and I especially appreciated that half bottle of vintage Dom Perignon, what if I didn't drink? And even if my soul needed saving, religion certainly doesn't pay the rent.
Second, if I was religious I would have been offended. As friendly as I may be, the transaction between the server and guest is purely business, so lets keep the tip in a universal currency please? Cash works. And 20% is always accepted. Til next time...
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