Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Kindness Karma for a Waitress at an Italian Restaurant


--by Dazie, posted May 29, 2008

This is my first post here as I have just joined and what a wonderful way to start off!

I was working as a waitress in an upscale Italian restaurant where the majority of the patrons were the sort who pay little or no attention to those around them. One evening, I had been having an absolutely horrible day as I had just received an unexpected bill that was already past due.

As I was standing in the entry way to the building, a young man appeared. He walked up to me and asked if there was any work that he could do to earn twenty dollars because he needed to get home.  Having recently moved and being from a small town, I had never really encountered something like this before, so I asked him to wait while I went to the back of the restaurant to ask my boss.

As I explained the young man's plight to my boss (also the owner), he told me in no uncertain terms that he had nothing for the man and that he was to leave immediately.  I returned to the man and explained what my boss had said. His face fell and he started to tell me that he had a family emergency in another state and had no means whatsoever to return on such short notice.  He just really needed to get home!   I completely understood how he was feeling being so far from home myself.

Looking at his saddened expression, I asked him to follow me into the restaurant. I went behind the counter to my tip cup and discovered that I had only made five dollars so far that evening.  We had only had one pick-up (that is where the money had come from) and the other tables that I had were nowhere near ready to pay the bill.

I handed him the five dollars and explained it was all that I had and I hoped it would help him in some small way. He smiled and thanked me.  As he was walking out of the building, one of my customers jumped up from his table and followed him out. They spoke for a moment and he then returned inside to his table.

After the table had left, I went to retrieve the check card book.  He had left me a twenty dollar tip!  He enclosed a note saying that he had overheard my conversation with the young man and had no doubt that I would have given the money if I had it.  So he gave the young man the remaining fifteen dollars he needed, as well as leaving me the tip.

Throughout the rest of the week, I had many tables come in and ask for me to wait on them.  Every single table that asked for me left me at least a twenty dollar tip.  By the end of the week, I had enough to pay the bill that I was so worried about. It seems the customer had told his friends the story and encouraged them to stop by to see me and help me out!

Isn't it amazing how far the ripples created by one act of kindness can go?

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Readers Comments

anonimus wrote: You have such a big heart,and your kindness came back to you ten folds.Yes its amazing how far such a ripple can go.what a wonderful story,thanks for sharing..Good day:-}:-}:-}
rainflower wrote: You sound like such a caring person,how kind of you to give your last dollar,and how kind of the man who gave the young man the fifteen dollars and you a tip. You really don't know where you will find kind people. It really is amazing,I love this site it gives me hope and raises my spirits
Basant wrote: Very nice story. An act of kindness is always good.
jojomcb wrote: this is a case of what comes around goes arounfd is a totally awesome way. God bless
sidney wrote: It was a sacrifice well worth & well meant, it was also well received, not only by the recipient of the 15 dollars, but by all the people around you. This goes to show that we
never take time to think of the implications of our actions & how far reaching they are; whether good or bad. Its' uplifting to know that there's alot of good still in this world.
Jeannette wrote: What an amazing story. If you are willing to help others who are in need, God will meet you needs.
mailman451 wrote: thank you vor that story. there is a God he had that kind of a man there at that restaurant at that exact moment. at hearing range. What goes around comes around. . God bless you and this is nice.
Andrea wrote: What a wonderful way to start my week! Thank you for sharing your story I love hearing that we have not lost all kindness!
Terence wrote: This is indeed a beautiful act of love
galwaygirl wrote: It is true "give and you shall be rewarded" May you continue to shine your goodness on the needy and may your cup always filleth over.

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