gra·tu·ity \grə-ˈtü-ə-tē, -ˈtyü-\
: something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service; especially : tip
The other day, I sat waiting for my food at my local drive in. After a bit, my food arrived, carried by a skating carhop. Promptly, she and I traded food and cash. As I handed my payment to her, I waited for her to reach for her change-counting doodad so I could tell her "keep the change," but she didn't even give me the chance! Without a blink or a nod or even a questioning look, off skated the carhop with my "tip" in tow. Part of me wanted to push the red button and ask for my change, the rest of me knew better and just drove away.
Then, a couple days later, I sat down to eat at a busy restraunt in town. Our waitress was prompt, no-nonsense, and cut to the chase. She got our orders just right and she got them out quick. For her promptness at least, she earned our gratitude. But when it came time to take our check, she noticed the green stuff laid neatly under the edge of a plate, obviously a tip. She had the audacity to ask if that was hers, and the gall to stuff it in her apron right in front of us when we said "yes!" After that, I watched her do the same at the other tables around us.
I have learned a lesson from a carhop and a waitress:
Gratitude is a privilege not a right. Be thankful when you get it. Don't grumble when you don't.
In Matthew 6, the Bible tells us not to "blow a horn" before ourselves when we do good things, because if we demand the attention and thanks of the people around us, that's all the thanks we get. But if we do our good quietly and don't demand attention for it, we get a bigger tip. The God of the universe, who is, by the way, the best tipper ever, will give us his reward.
Remember that gratuity, by definition is voluntary. It is, by nature, a grateful gesture. Something given beyond what is required. The nicer you are to someone, the more likely they are to thank you, but don't be miffed if you don't get it! Don't be rude and even ask for it! Remember that even though the tip may be figured into your restraunt bill or expected by your waitress, in life, gratuity is not included. God is watching though. God is listening. He sees everything you do. So......
"when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." Matt. 6:3-4
I have learned a lesson from a carhop and a waitress:
Gratitude is a privilege not a right. Be thankful when you get it. Don't grumble when you don't.
In Matthew 6, the Bible tells us not to "blow a horn" before ourselves when we do good things, because if we demand the attention and thanks of the people around us, that's all the thanks we get. But if we do our good quietly and don't demand attention for it, we get a bigger tip. The God of the universe, who is, by the way, the best tipper ever, will give us his reward.
Remember that gratuity, by definition is voluntary. It is, by nature, a grateful gesture. Something given beyond what is required. The nicer you are to someone, the more likely they are to thank you, but don't be miffed if you don't get it! Don't be rude and even ask for it! Remember that even though the tip may be figured into your restraunt bill or expected by your waitress, in life, gratuity is not included. God is watching though. God is listening. He sees everything you do. So......
"when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." Matt. 6:3-4
I do not tip the car hops because they make minimum wage... Not server minimum wage! Actual minimum wage that people at McDonalds or the grocery store make.
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