The inspiration for this mission is one particular tip I received when I was working at a teensy-tiny 7 table pizza joint when I was 15 years old. The owners were odd and somewhat creepy, but I loved (LOVED) the pizza and didn't mind waiting tables. I quickly learned that business men at lunch were good tippers, especially if you paid extra sweet attention to them (yeah, yeah…I was young and still testing those feminine wiles). For the most part however, you didn't get giant tips from a $20 tab…the beauty of pizza is its convenience and looooow price!
However, one day while I was working an extended family came in and took up nearly the entire restaurant (all 7 tables…some of which sat 2!). Their orders were abundant and complicated…the drink refills were never ending. BUT, since they were the only patrons in the restaurant, I could pay extra special (not sweet, no feminine wiles utilized) attention to their needs. I worked really hard that day, and since it was such a big party their bill ended up being a little under $50. When the time came to pay, the patriarch of the family pressed a single bill into my hand and told me to keep the change. Thinking it was a $50 I didn't even look down until after the family had left and I was starting to clean up their "large family" sized mess. :)
Imagine my 15 year old surprise when I looked down and saw a $100 bill sitting in my hand. They had tipped me MORE than what their food cost. I was astounded by their generosity–and that moment taught me to treat each of my customers with the same high regard…because you never know who is going to tip you well. :) Please forgive me, I was 15 and had not yet thought of treating ALL people with the same high regard just because of basic human respect. 15 is a hard year…are you with me?
On the flipside, I now have a soft heart for servers and people in food service. It is a hard job, with few perks, and SUCH a low hourly pay. They depend on tips for their livelihood, and with the downturn in the economy I have seen and heard of many people starting to tip lower than they previously did. This week, I'm out to change that for just one server. :)
I plan on going to a nice restaurant and just ordering a decaf coffee and being SUCH an easy customer. :) Then, I'm going to leave a tip that isn't proportional to my order. How much? I'm not sure yet.
Will you join me in my adventure in some way? It's easy, enjoyable, and can involve as much or as little money as you wish. If so, email me an account of your visit and a picture of your receipt and tip (and maybe yourself, because posts are MUCH more fun with pictures!) and I'll feature you on Saturday. Let's interact, dear readers. Go out on a limb with me!