Waiter Served A Group Of Teens And Only Got A $3.28 Tip, Then Days Later This Note Showed Up
Reflecting on his own high school experiences and the thrill of dances, the server made a concerted effort to provide the teenagers with an enjoyable dining experience. However, he was initially dismayed to discover a mere $3.28 tip left by the group. Considering that many American servers depend on tips to enhance their earnings due to generally low base salaries, this small sum appeared to indicate a lack of recognition for his hard work.
Feeling disheartened, the server attributed this to the teens’ lack of gratitude, a sentiment that lingered with him until an unexpected turn of events took place a few days later.
In a surprising development, the server received a touching letter from the teenagers:
“About a week and a half ago, on October 7, my three friends and I visited this restaurant to celebrate our homecoming. It was an exhilarating experience for us to be here on our own, and everything was new to us. You were the best waiter we could have hoped for. You were kind, helpful, accommodating, treated us with respect, and even managed to adjust the food for my allergies! I wanted to express my gratitude for making our ‘grown-up’ experience so wonderful and enjoyable.
“I would also like to apologize on behalf of my group. Since we were inexperienced in these matters, our 13-year-old minds didn’t quite grasp how to handle the bill. You were incredibly helpful in splitting the check and accepting cash that we weren’t particularly fond of. The bill was fair, but we completely overlooked (and honestly didn’t understand) what a tip was, let alone how much to leave. We emptied our pockets, and all our money totaled $3.28.
“Unaware of how inadequate this amount truly was, we left, oblivious to the fact that we had not compensated you for your diligent efforts. Later, we recognized our error and felt terrible. We knew we had to rectify the situation.
“Therefore, in this envelope, you will find the appropriate 18% tip plus an additional amount for simply being outstanding. We are grateful for your assistance and patience, and we thank you for making our evening enjoyable. Thank you!”
This genuine expression of remorse and kindness not only corrected an unintentional error but also highlighted the profound appreciation of the teenagers, creating a memorable impact on the server.
What is your opinion on this sincere apology?