The Strangest Tips Ever: Unconventional Forms of Payment in the Service Industry
In the world of service industry jobs, tips are a significant part of many employees' earnings. However, there have been some unusual and unconventional forms of payment that have left servers and waiters baffled, to say the least. Let's explore some of the strangest tips ever given, and why they were left behind.
Stranger Things: Cocaine as a Tip
Back in the 1970s, working as a cocktail waitress at a live music club, I served a group of fun people all night. When they left at closing time, I was surprised to find no tip on the table. Frustrated but not entirely disappointed, I went to the other staff members to ask how much they left me. However, the news was shocking – one of the fellows from the group came back and told me that they left something for me to find. It was wrapped in aluminum foil, left at the table.
At first, I didn't believe it, but he insisted that they left me a cocaine tip. I couldn't help but chuckle and tell the other servers about it right away. 'Turns out I wasn’t stiffed!' he said. I didn’t use cocaine and the table had already been cleaned, but the manager got a bit violent after hearing the news. The final straw for him? I didn’t need to stay and help with the clean-up as he went through the garbage to search for my tip. This story highlights the level of absurdity that can occur in the world of unusual tips.
From Cardboard to Needles
Even back in the early 1970s, working in a small diner, a customer decided to leave a piece of cardboard, perhaps 2 inches by 4 inches, and tried to leave it before we could grab it and stop him. To my surprise, he said that he had left it on purpose – as a practical tip. As I went to retrieve the cardboard, I discovered that it was in fact a pack of needles of various sizes and styles – from circular needles to heavy-duty needles for denim to tiny needles for silks or satins. I used those needles for years after that uncommon tip.
Unconventional Payment Methods
Humans come up with creative ways to compensate for their services, and tips are no exception. From cardboard to needles, these tips illustrate the lengths to which some individuals go in order to feel they have provided additional value. However, it's important to recognize that tips should be as straightforward as possible, whether it's cash, a credit card, or a check. Anything else could lead to misunderstandings and complications.
Conclusion
It's easy to judge such odd tips, but it's important to understand the context and intention behind them. Tips are a way of adding a personal touch that goes beyond the usual transaction, and sometimes, that personal touch leads to unexpected surprises. Whether it's cocaine, cardboard, or needles, these tips remind us that every customer or client is unique, and they might have unconventional ways of expressing their gratitude or appreciation.
As service industry professionals, we can often find these stories amusing and entertaining. They serve as a reminder that our work goes beyond simply serving food and drinks – it's about creating memorable experiences and connections that can lead to unique and unexpected outcomes.