Tips Speak Louder Than Tracts
Daniel Holland of Relevant Magazine and Greg Koukl of Stand To Reason have both recently posted on this topic, but I thought I could add to the discussion.
I have never been a waiter, nor do I ever want to be. It’s not that I don’t like to serve people, it’s for this very reason. If I worked my butt off for a table full of people in fancy clothes and only got a 5% tip and a handful of tracts I would probably chase them to the parking lot and chew them out about exhibiting real Christian virtues like humility, patience, generosity, love, kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness. Then I would lose my job (and perhaps get arrested) and get even less tips.
I have known more than a few servers who hate working Sundays because they know they will have to serve the selfish and ungrateful after church crowd. And to a waitress that is scarier than a clown (clowns really freak me out). Because of this predisposition towards Christians our family always tips generously (over 15%) and I look for opportunities to do more.
The first thing I do is learn the server name and be sure to refer to them by name when talking to them. I like to get to know them, take an interest in them. I may even ask if they would like to pray with us. But my favorite times are when the service is poor (likely because they see my Bible on the table or see that we have just come from church) or the server is tired and visibly distracted. These are my favorite because they give me an opportunity to teach them about grace. I will usually write a brief note on the back of a business card or scrap of paper saying something like:
Sally, I can see that you aren’t having a great night. My wife and I took the opportunity to pray for you. Jesus has made all the difference in my life. Even when I was a sinner, he saved me. I pray that you can experience that joy. Thank you.
I then place this note on top of an extravagant tip (50% or more) and make it a point to find them and verbally thank them before leaving the restaurant. Now obviously (from a financial stand-point) I can’t do this all the time. But I always make it a point to know my server, tip well, and graciously thank them.
I don’t say this to pat myself on the back. I just wish that we as Christians had more empathy, patience, and love for total strangers. Because a few extra dollars and some kind words tell them volumes more about my God than a corny tract left on an otherwise empty table.
Technorati Tags: Serving, tipping, witnessing, love
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