A Tip For Those Who Serve
Years ago my wife and I used to take the kids to a little pizza place here in Harvey County. It was our idea of a big night on the town. We got the same waitress almost every time; a young girl who looked about high school age. Our kids were good young’uns, but like any other young family we made a mess; food on the floor etc. I’m one to tip okay anyway, but this kid was always nice and we made it a point to leave a little extra. My wife was a waitress when she was in high school and she hadn’t forgotten what it was like. We were just starting out and had a lot of debt at the time, but we figured we were better off than this child, and besides the service was always good.
When the kids grew up a little and started to go out with their friends we got out of the habit of going there. My wife and I didn’t much need to eat a lot of pizza anyway, and without the kids the outing wasn’t the same. We lost track of the young waitress.
Several years ago a young lady showed up at the office and asked to speak to me. They paged me and then brought her back to my office. “Doc, do you remember me?” she asked.
“You look familiar, but no kid, I can’t quite place you.”
“I’m Kathy. I was the waitress at Pizza Joe’s.”
“Well, son of a gun. Good to see you. What you up to nowadays?”
“I’m a nurse in Raleigh. I was just passing through and wanted to say hello. Back then I was struggling and working two jobs. I always looked forward to seeing your family. It wasn’t just that you tipped good, you didn’t fuss at me and treated me nice. I wanted to say thanks.”
I didn’t know what to say.
She pulled her wallet out of her pocketbook and showed me pictures of her husband and children. “When we go out to eat we try to act like your family. I appreciate you being nice to me, and the tips sure did help me get through school.”
I shook her hand and she went on her way. I thought about that for a minute. I can understand if a man doesn’t have anything and maybe he can be excused if he’s not too generous. But when I see a guy who owns some business worth eight million bucks be mean to a young waitress who works hard to make his life easier, and then stiffs her on a little tip, I can’t understand it. I want to walk over to his table and say, “Pal, what goes around comes around. For all you know that kid might be a nurse who looks after you in the nursing home some day. What’s wrong with you?”
I know one thing. That young lady and her husband are doing quite well these days, but I’m sure they haven’t forgotten where they come from, and I bet they still tip good, too.
Dr. B
Tags: tips for the waitress
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
April 26, 2010 at 6:09 am
That’s so wonderful, Dr. B! I also always treat waiters and waitresses nice, because I know that if I’m ever a starving writer working the tables at night, I’m going to want to be treated the way I treat them.
April 26, 2010 at 6:52 am
slightly,
I’m like you. I treat people with respect because it’s my nature, but I also never forget my luck could change tomorrow. I hope people will be nice to me if it does, and believe most of them will.
Dr. B
April 26, 2010 at 12:30 pm
You are right about coming around and going around. I always try to be polite to everyone. That is, unless they prove they don’t deserve it….Then, I still try my best to be civil and decent.
People in service always like to be appreciated. Even if all you can say is please and thankyou. They remember.
Some people forget…most of us were once that same person…trying to make ends meet.
April 26, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Cindy,
I hope the decent will inherit the earth but I am certain they will Heaven.
Dr. B
April 27, 2010 at 6:28 am
I just have to say: Wow!
I could really picture things up while you said, rather, wrote it. The Pizza Joe, a little corner, your family with young ones, you and the wifey, and the waitress, of course. Made me ponder about many things in general and nothing in particular; but then that many things got converted in to life…
Beautiful piece. Thanks for the share!
April 27, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Brown Eyed Mystic,
Hey, thanks for dropping by. I enjoyed your blog too. I find my effort to become a writer has allowed me to consolidate my thought process as to what I consider important. As a reader I found your blog did that also.
Hope you’ll watch for my book, “The Mandolin Case.” It is due out soon and I plan a semi-formal announcement in the next few weeks.
Dr. B
April 27, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Thanks for that.
I tend to tip a bit generously. More than that, I never forget one thing: I’m out entertaining myself (and whomever I’m with) and having fun, my server is on his or her feet working.
April 27, 2010 at 4:30 pm
gerryrosser,
I agree. If they are at work and I’m relaxing I need to be nice to ’em.
Dr. B
April 28, 2010 at 3:04 am
It’s wonderful that she found you and caught up!
I always behave respectfully toward people who serve me and I have taught my children to do the same.
April 28, 2010 at 6:44 am
blogmella,
I was touched that she remembered us. When folks get to my age they get to worrying they might land in the nursing home and no one drop by.
Dr. B