Tipping...

I know not everyone can do this, but I know of one surefire way to make yourself happy. Everyone knows that doing for others is good and makes one feel good about one's self and probably the world. Well, leaving an excellent tip is a good way to do this.

It may seem trivial, but believe me, I was a waitress for about a year. If someone leaves more than they're supposed to (15% or so), it can really make your day.

Joe and I are really good tippers. We always leave at least 20% tip. Sometimes we go way above and beyond that. Sunday is a good example.

Joe finally made it back from Miami a day later than planned (long story). We stopped in Gastonia to eat dinner at The Olive Garden. We got the spinach and artichoke dip for an appetizer and we each got the endless soup, salad, and breadsticks (with minestrone as our soup). Our bill came to about $25. Our waitress was very nice and she did a great job. Well, Joe had cash to pay the bill with. He only had large bills ($50 and $100). So, we decided to play a game that we really like. We call the waitress over to our table and then have her pick a hand. The $50 is in one hand and the $100 bill is in the other hand. Minus our bill, she's still looking at at least a 100% tip. Which is awesome.

Well, Rachel, the waitress, came to our table. Joe asked her to pick a hand and she surprised Joe. She laughed and said, "Both!" (She had no idea what he was asking her for.) Well, Joe likes to be surprised. He started to say that she had to pick just one, but then he decided to just give her both. He handed both the $50 and the $100 to her and we got up. She just thanked us and started to clear the table. Then she looked down and actually realized what Joe had handed her. Then she said, "Wait! You need your change." And we told her we didn't need change. She said, "Are you serious?!" And we told her that we were. She looked like she was going to cry. She stood there in shock as we thanked her and walked to the door.

That was probably not what someone would think of as a $150 meal, but it is always so wonderful to see the look on the waitress/waiter's face when they realize how much money they made off of a table of 2. :)

Hopefully she will pass on that good deed. Paying it forward, you know. I hope so.