Well, it happened to another server: instead of an actual tip that could be used to pay for rent and groceries, they received a religious pamphlet explaining the virtues of Christianity. We’ve all gotten them and we all hate them, especially if it’s the only tip on the table. A good soul might get you into heaven, but it won’t satisfy your landlord.
The server who received this “tip” sent it to me and the big surprise with this flyer is that it had the name and address of the church on the back of it. So I called them and recorded the conversation:
I won’t post the name and address of the church because I don’t want to be accused of harassment or cyber bullying again, but I did want them to know that they can spread the word of god all over the place and they can leave as many flyers as they want to, but servers need money too. It’s not okay to leave a piece of paper in lieu of a tip.
The inside was full of bible verses:
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
In other words, the more you give, the more God will love you. So if you’re going to give your waiter some paper as a tip, make sure it has a picture of one of our forefathers on it, preferably Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton or Andrew Jackson. If you’re going to leave bills with George Washington on them, more is better than one.
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
In other words, the person you are leaving a flyer for may already be a Christian or just straight up a better person than you, Christian or otherwise.
Proverbs 11:20
They that are of fraudulent heart are abomination to the Lord.
In other words, don’t leave the flyers that look like money, because that’s just rude and misleading.
I doubt my phone call will make any difference in the world, but it did feel good to let someone at the church know how servers feel when we get these as tips.
The Chef Hates You
My local cafeteria-style restaurant (slide the tray down the line style), where I go relax with a cup of coffee on my only day off, gets flooded by church-goers on Sunday, and I usually see those pamphlets on the booth tables, left conveniently for the 16-year-old bus boys just waiting to be saved. One such busboy laughed when he saw one, but picked it up and put it in his pocket. About 30 or so minutes later, I got up to drain some of the coffee that I drank, and saw a nice religious pamphlet on the urinal. When I asked that particular bus boy if he had done that, he just smiled and moved on…
Heather
I’ve received plenty of those things in my 3 years serving, and I can honestly say not a single one came without a real tip. Usually a pretty generous one too. Guess I’ve been lucky. I have had church people, though, that gave me lousy tips without a pamphlet
Amy
First of all, you look fabulous. Secondly, you were very nice to the lady who answered, and third…I think your call will help. Xox
Kasey
I used to wait tables for a short time. Sundays were always the worst. Not only did we have the church crowd, we actually opened 30 minutes earlier than usual to serve brunch. We had a policy of no large party reservations during brunch. Well, we had a manager that wasn’t thinking, or couldn’t see behind the dollar signs, who booked a 30 top for brunch. They all had just come from church and it was their monthly lets go out and enjoy fellowship together event. Two of us worked and when it came time to pay they started walking around the room rather than letting us clear up their money. If you get up from the table I don’t where you were sitting to make sure you get the correct ticket. People that were served by the other server were handing me their money for change. It was frustrating and stressful. By the time we finished I ended up with a total of $20 for a day’s work and only had the 1 table. They were there for almost 2 hours and almost no one tipped over $1. My earnings that day wouldn’t fill the gas tank on my car. If you can’t tip appropriately, stay at home to eat. If you are with a large party stay seated until the server has processed your ticket and returned your change or cc slip. Then you can walk around all you like.
Elsa
I have left tracts before but NEVER without a good tip. These people were misguided.
Kristin
I got these sometimes when I worked in Michigan. I hattttted them! We all had a wall of shame where we tumbtacked them onto the board. Don’t worry about my soul, I’m gladly going to hell if they are all in heaven.
Sandy
Hope I hate those pamphlets I myself does not practice church and I find it insulting when someone leaves that on the table because I feel it is insulting because I don’t practice it and they’re trying to force it down my throat well what if I went up to them with a baggie of drugs and said here you go you know what they will say I feel insulted I don’t do drugs well exactly I don’t do religion
Dammit
Ugh, so glad I’m from New England. Never in 17 years have I had to deal with that shit.
Laura Parrish
She should take that flyer to that church and attend a service and when they pass around the tip tray…….. I mean OFFERING plate, leave that and a small note that tells them “Thanks for your sermon, here’s something to pay the church’s electric bill!” With a big OLE smiiley face.
Laura
She should take that flyer to that church and attend a service and when they pass around the tip tray…….. I mean OFFERING plate, leave that and a small note that tells them “Thanks for your sermon, here’s something to pay the church’s electric bill!” With a big OLE smiiley face.
Kim Hess
I love you Darron for contacting the church, you truly are a rock star!!!
Donna
I use to waitress at a mom and pop diner (now closed) in North Carolina. I made $3.50 an hour. I was the only waitress one night that was so dead, it was already a waste of money to be open.
I got 3 tables (in 7 hours) and all 3 tables tipped me with that instead of cash.
freewhitebaby7.0
NC born and raised here. Most of us don’t care for the fundy shit. I’m sorry you went through that, but those Bible thumpers don’t represent many of us at all.
Dana
Our church printed up invitations to our extra Easter services. Our pastor encouraged passing them out but said only to leave one for a server if you were a good tipper. He added jokingly if you didn’t tip well don’t tell them your a member here.
Rick west
Thats awesome! I went to my wifes familys church and the pastor actually preached about this exact subject and said that 20% will at least get the servers attention andvsaid exactly what you did about the flyers not paying bills. He spent a good ten minutes on it. Wish they all would!
Gilda
Reprehensible. I am a follower of Jesus, imperfectly, and my usual tip is 15-20%. I don’t go to sit-down restaurants often (once a year, maybe), but I do order delivered meals frequently, and I tip the delivery staff. If you can’t afford to tip, don’t go out, or order something cheap enough that you have enough left over to tip. I can’t believe how stingy people can be.
Maggie
Well god bless ya for trying. Lol. Well done.
Julie
Whoever left that pamphlet without a tip is an idiot. I’m just going to say, based on the bible verses included, it appears to me that it was intended to be left with a monetary tip, as a way to communicate the spirit in which that monetary (hopefully a substantial one) was given. I don’t think that person’s religion made them an idiot – I think they were that already.
Deb
What a dreadful woman! It almost seemed like she was going to send out a posse of Christian wacks to confront the server or the restaurant. Then, she becomes almost reasonable since Darren has a bigger voice and she’s doing a CYA in case you are that important, which you are.
Geoff
If there is a hell (besides being quadruple-seated), there is a very special place in it waiting for these people.