17 Heartwarming Times Service Employees Received Massive Tips
Working in the service sector isn’t easy. You often have to deal with rude patrons, you might spend hours on your feet, and some people don’t tip as generously as they should.
While there are many bad tippers in the world, humanity is always trying to redeem itself. Generous people exist, and sometimes they show up when you least expect it.
Many of the people on this list were going about their regular jobs on what seemed like average days when they were suddenly given a massive pay increase. With tips topping 1,000% or more, the workers on this list certainly felt appreciated.
1: It Could Happen To You
The 1984 Nicholas Cage movie, It Could Happen To You is based on a true story. Phyllis Penzo had been waiting tables for 24 years at Sal’s Pizzeria in Dobbs Ferry, New York, when a police officer left her a lottery ticket as a tip.
Penzo probably wasn’t all that excited about the ticket initially. After all, its chances of being a winner were slim.
However, it was Penzo’s lucky day. The ticket ended up being worth $6 million, which she split with the police officer for a handsome $3 million tip.
2: The Luckiest Scratcher
In 2018, a local Denver man tipped his Uber driver with a $5 scratcher. It inadvertently led to a $140,000 tip.
The Uber driver played the initial scratcher to win $30, which he used to buy additional scratchers. He continued to do this a few more times before landing on a $140,000 win.
3: Winner, Winner
A $92,350 tip in 1995 would be the equivalent of $184,661 today, according to the Federal Reserve’s inflation calculator. That sort of cash could make a big difference to someone earning minimum wage.
That’s the exact amount one Ontario waitress received when a restaurant patron left a lotto ticket as a tip. The ticket turned out to be a winner, scoring the server a massive gratuity.
4: A New Car
Tips aren’t always money-based. Sometimes, restaurant patrons leave other things to show their appreciation for good service.
In 2013, a Waffle House server received a Dodge Durango as a tip. The unique and incredible gratuity came from a restaurant regular who appreciated the server’s consistently good service.
5: Big Cash
A big cash tip is usually worth celebrating. However, in this case, the server was rightfully worried when she first received it.
A waitress and mother of five in Moorehead, Minnesota, found one of her tables left her $12,000 cash in a box. Police seized the suspicious tip in connection with a drug crime. However, at the conclusion of their investigation, they returned it to the waitress.
6: Storm Saviors
Greg Rubar was having a tough time in 2012. A career server, he’d recently lost his family car to a vicious storm.
When restaurant regulars learned about Rubar’s loss, they decided to help. They left him a $5,000 tip with a note that told him to go buy a new vehicle.
7: Depp Does It Right
Johnny Depp frequented Gibson’s Steakhouse in Chicago while filming Public Enemies. And, after one of his dinners, he decided to leave an especially big tip.
Depp reportedly gave $4,000 to his server in 2009. The server went on to say Depp was one of his favorite famous patrons because he was humble, soft-spoken, and didn’t require too many special requests.
8: A Big Domino’s Delivery
Working as a delivery person for Domino’s usually means you’ll make tips, but they’re not going to be very big. However, in 2014, one Domino’s Delivery guy was in for the surprise of his life.
Upon delivering an order worth less than $13 to Indiana Wesleyan University, James Gilpin was ushered to the stage of a chapel filled with 3,000 students. Having just received a lesson on generosity, they tipped Gilpin $1268 plus over $70 in gift cards.
9: God Bless!
Khadijah Muhammad was picking up a few extra shifts at Cheddar’s in Knoxville, Tennessee, when she became the recipient of a much-needed good deed. Muhammad was having a rough year, having just lost her mother, and she was behind on her electricity bill payments.
The extra shifts turned out to do more than Muhammed could have imagined. In addition to her regular wages, one couple left her a $1,075 tip with a note that read “God Bless!”
10: Charlie Sheen’s Big Save
In 2014, NFL running back Sean LeCoy made the news for all the wrong reasons. He reportedly left a measly 20-cent tip for service at PYT Burger.
Charlie Sheen heard about the bad tip and decided to do something about it. He went to PYT Burger, found the server, and tipped them $1,000.
11: A Lesson in Generosity
One Sunday, a reverend in Pickerington, Ohio, gave a sermon on generosity. The congregation was so inspired by the reverend’s words that they asked to put together a collection plate for someone in the community.
Next, they called and ordered a $5.99 pizza. When the delivery driver showed up, they tipped her the money they’d collected, which amounted to over $1,000.
12: Beckham’s Big Tip
David Beckham joined his LA Galaxy teammates for a few beers and bar snacks at Joxer’s Daily Pub in Culver City. The professional athlete reportedly only drank a mineral water, but he still opted to grab the bill.
The total tab was only $100, but Beckham decided to add an extra zero. The kind gesture resulted in a tip of $900 for the server.
13: In Loving Memory
Losing a loved one is always challenging. But rather than wallow in grief, the friends of Shea Mower, who had died in a tragic car accident, decided to honor his life by paying it forward.
In celebration of his life, Mower’s friends went to the local Outback Steakhouse on what would have been his 34th birthday. There, they left a $500 tip for the server in his memory.
14: Swiftie Spirit
Taylor Swift has a lot of fans. Swifties, as they’re often called, don’t just love the singer’s talented vocals or inspiring lyrics. They also love the way Taylor carries herself.
Taylor made her fans proud in 2013 when she left a $500 tip at Ralph’s Italian Market in Philadelphia, PA. The bill for her late-night dinner was only $800, which means she tipped over 60%.
15: Knows What It’s Like
Amy Schumer knows first-hand how hard it is to wait tables for a living. Before making it big, the comedian spent hours on her feet serving food and drinks to hungry restaurant patrons.
So, when she learned her server at Peter’s Clam Bar was also a struggling student, she decided to help. On a $49 bill, she left a tip of $500.
16: Just Nice People
When a couple orders a pizza, a sandwich, and a pitcher of beer, servers don’t expect a massive tip. That’s especially true when the couple looks unassuming and average. But you should never judge someone on looks alone.
Server Janice Ruggiero learned this lesson in 2012 while working at Tony’s Pizza and Pasta in Rhode Island. A couple came in, ordered the standard fare, and then tipped $458.
17: A Regular Day
CeCe Bruce was serving one of her regular patrons on a regular day. She didn’t expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, but then the patron shocked her.
Bruce brought her customer the bill just like she always would. On this day, it was just under $6. When she came back to clear the table, she was shocked to find that the regular customer had left her a tip of $446.
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