Almost everyone is aware that tipping waiters is customary, especially if they are excellent hosts. While the general rule of thumb is to tip 15 to 20% of the bill as a gratuity, Maurice Green went above and beyond, tipping his waiter $100. Green was persuaded to reconsider after witnessing the server’s reaction to the money.
Customer Gives $100 Tip But Immediately Changes Their Mind After Seeing The Waiter’s Reaction
A Young Man Named Johnny
Green was having dinner at a Don Pablo’s restaurant in Dallas, Texas at the time. And he’d noticed how hardworking and friendly the waiter who’d served him had been during that visit. The employee in question was a young man named Johnny, who, unfortunately, had been having financial difficulties.
A Young Man Named Johnny
Checking Up On Him
Green also interacted with his waiter because he suspected the man was not feeling good. So the customer inquired about his server’s day; however, after a sigh, Johnny admitted that it had been “kind of rough.” Green was unsurprised, saying, “I kind of sensed that.”
Checking Up On Him
Making His Day Better
On the other hand, Green had something in mind that, with any luck, would turn Johnny’s bad day around. Furthermore, it would assist the waiter in regaining financial stability. Yes, Green did leave a very generous tip: a total of $100.
Making His Day Better
He Was Speechless
Green is heard saying in a video of the moment as he passes Johnny the $100, “I want to sow into your life.” Meanwhile, Johnny takes the money and then looks down at the ground, speechless for a moment and holding back tears.
He Was Speechless
Very Thankful
“You just paid off my car, sir,” Johnny says after gathering his thoughts. He rubs his eyes and tucks the tip of the knife into his apron. A woman at Green’s table says “Aww” as the waiter leans over to shake Green’s hand, apparently noticing his reaction.
Very Thankful
Why He Did It
Green is also heard in the video explaining why he decided to give Johnny such a large tip. “I wanna sow into your life because I can see you’re working hard, and I think you’ve had a bad day. So, God told me to sow into your life big time.”
Why He Did It
Who Made Him Do It
Then Green reveals that the suggestion was made by the woman seated across from him. “Well, it was actually her,” Green says as he pointed to the woman at his table. He continued, “She said, ‘Give him 20 percent, plus add a zero to it.’ So, I said, ‘Babe, I’m going to do better than that.’”
Who Made Him Do It
A Merry Christmas
‘“I’m going to give him the 20 percent and then $100!’” Green went on to say, “Keep being who you are, keep being nice, don’t let people frustrate you, because people are not nice, and this family – the Green family – wants to bless you. Merry Christmas!”
A Merry Christmas
Overwhelmed
As Green speaks, Johnny wipes his eyes with a napkin, clearly moved by the stranger’s incredible act of kindness. The waiter, however, takes it upon himself to softly say, “Thank you,” in-between Green’s words of encouragement. The hardworking waiter was certainly in awe of what just happened.
Overwhelmed
He Gives Out Even More
But apparently, Johnny’s reaction convinces Green that $100 isn’t enough, as he withdraws even more cash. “You know what? We can do better than that. Here you go, another $100, here you go!” Green said as he holds the cash out for Johnny to accept.
He Gives Out Even More
Another $100
With that, the waiter covers his eyes with his hands, as if he doesn’t understand what’s going on. As Johnny finally accepts the bill, Green repeats, “Here’s another $100.” The waiter then takes a step back and hides his face once more.
Another $100
No Signs Of Stopping
But Green, who appears to be in the Christmas spirit, isn’t content to stop there. Green repeats once more, “You know what. We can do better than that, here’s another $100!” He miraculously pulls out another note and hands it to the bemused waiter.
No Signs Of Stopping
Got Blessed
Meanwhile, Johnny remains rooted to the spot, his face covered. Green exclaims in response, “Here you go. There you go, sir. Come on!” However, Johnny eventually settles in and gratefully accepts the final bill. Green then says, “That’s $300.” He added, “You just got blessed.”
Got Blessed
A Christmas He’ll Never Forget
“Merry Christmas!” Green cheerfully adds. Johnny then breaks down in tears and then proceeds to approach the generous diner and express his gratitude with an embrace. The spirit of Christmas certainly still lives, and this man is living proof of it!
A Christmas He’ll Never Forget
It Went Viral
Meanwhile, the touching encounter was recorded and later uploaded to the internet. Unsurprisingly, the video went viral, with millions of people watching the heartwarming scenes of Christmas generosity all over the world. Of course, an act like this is hard to come by, which is why it’s understandable that this video made the rounds worldwide.
It Went Viral
A Lot Of Comments
A lot of viewers felt compelled to comment on what they’d seen, with some even crying happily. Of course, as with any viral video that goes viral, some people have questioned the recording’s motivations. However, the vast majority of commenters recognized it for what it was.
A Lot Of Comments
They Praised Green
Many people have subsequently chosen to praise Green for his kindness to Johnny. La’shay Manning of Atlanta, Georgia, decided to explain how seeing the footage made her feel in a retelling of the story on the website SoShareThis. Let’s find out what she said…
They Praised Green
She Was Touched
She wrote, “I was very touched by what Maurice did. What makes the video so beautiful is knowing that there are still some good people in the world, knowing the fact that people can touch other’s hearts in unexpected ways. This was the most beautiful video ever.”
She Was Touched
They Deserve A Round Of Applause
Certainly, Green and his family deserve applause for what they did to brighten up the gloomy waiter’s day. We hope that Green’s act of kindness inspires a lot of people to do the same, not just during the holidays, but in their everyday lives as well.
They Deserve A Round Of Applause
A Similar Story
Many more people, like Johnny, are waiting for their big break. Cayla Chandara was one of these people, and she was working two jobs just to get by. A generous couple left her a $400 tip one day. But she had no idea that this was only the beginning of their generosity.
A Similar Story
A Young Woman Named Cayla
Cayla Chandara is originally from California, but in 2015 she relocated to Hawaii across the Pacific Ocean. The young woman had plans to attend college once she arrived. However, she wasn’t prepared for what was to come as soon as she got there.
A Young Woman Named Cayla
Things Got Tough
Things became difficult for Chandara after she arrived in Hawaii. She struggled to pay her bills and keep up with her studies because she couldn’t seem to make enough money. As a result, she had no choice but to drop out of school and work instead.
Things Got Tough
Working Two Jobs
Chandara had to take on two waitressing jobs in Honolulu to make ends meet: one at the Cheesecake Factory and the other at Noi Thai Cuisine. And she still had a long way to go before her school debts were paid off.
Working Two Jobs
A Life-Changing Day
The majority of Chandara’s waitressing shifts went off without a hitch, but one particular day in 2017 will undoubtedly stay with her for the rest of her life. In fact, the young lady’s life was forever changed as a result of it.
A Life Changing Day
Talking To The Customers
Chandara was working at Noi Thai Cuisine when she struck up a conversation with a few of her patrons. Chandara found herself baring her soul to the diners after meeting the couple in question. What she didn’t know is that her encounter with those people would forever change her life.
Talking To The Customers
How They Started Talking
What caused this to happen? The couple was curious about life in Hawaii, so Chandara was asked how she came to live on the island and how she liked it so far. In response, the young waitress explained how she was barely scraping by on 80-hour weeks.
How They Started Talking
Giving Up On Her Dream
During her talk with the Australian couple, she mentioned to them how she had to give up her dream just to get by. Chandara told KHON, “I told them I moved here for school, but I was kind of in a little bit of debt and I couldn’t go back to school, because I couldn’t afford it.”
Giving Up On Her Dream
Didn’t Think Much Of It
Chandara spoke, and the couple listened intently. They continued eating their meal after Chandara returned to work. And until she came to collect the couple’s bill, the waitress didn’t think much of the encounter. After all, a small chat with the customers usually doesn’t lead to anything.
Didn’t Think Much Of It
She Couldn’t Believe It
Of course, the couple had paid their $200 bill before leaving the restaurant, but Chandara couldn’t believe her eyes when she examined their bill more closely. The generous couple had left a $400 tip. She couldn’t believe what just happened and just started tearing up.
She Couldn’t Believe It
Tears Running Down
Chandara told Honolulu Civil Beat: “There were tears streaming, no words at all. Just hugs,” She continued, “I went back to work in tears and all my tables were crying because I told them what happened. We were all crying and hugging. It was a cool experience.”
Tears Running Down
Giving Her Thanks
The waitress told KHON2, “I just thought it was so generous of them. I never get tipped that big. I had to say thank you,” She continued, “During dinner, they told me where they were staying, so I ran there after work to see if they’d still be there.”
Giving Her Thanks
Giving Her Token Of Appreciation
Chandara showed up at the couple’s hotel with a card and a bouquet of flowers to express her gratitude. The overjoyed waitress assumed that was the end of the story, but what happened next was truly incredible. So much so in fact, that even you would be amazed by what happened.
Giving Her Token Of Appreciation
They Paid Her Loans
The following day, the couple went back to see Chandara at work. They appeared to have one more act of generosity up their sleeves: they wanted to assist the waitress in repaying her student loans so she could return to school.
They Paid Her Loans
How Much They Offered Her
They were offering more than $10,000 to help out the poor young woman who had to give up on her dreams of studying. Chandara initially refused; it was simply too much for her to bear. However, after further discussion, she agreed to accept the money as the couple had requested.
How Much They Offered Her
Paying For Her College
She told Honolulu Civil Beat, “I told them they couldn’t do that for me but they really wanted to,” She continued, “They said it would be just as good for them to do it for me. Then they took care of my current loans and balances and they’re going to pay for the rest of college.”
Paying For Her College
She Still Couldn’t Believe It
KTLA spoke with Chandara. She admitted that the gravity of their actions hadn’t yet dawned on her. She said, “I was like, ‘No way, you don’t have to do that for me. I just wanted to say thank you,’” She continued, “I still don’t feel like it’s real. I want to run around in the streets.”
She Still Couldn’t Believe It
They Wanted Nothing In Return
And believe it or not, the generous couple demanded nothing in return. Chandara expressed her desire to learn how she could ever repay their kindness, but all they said was, “Be your best possible self, dream big, and strive for your goals.” And so that’s exactly what she aims to do.
They Wanted Nothing In Return
Going Back To Studying
Chandara now wants to return to school to study liberal arts and business, and she’s determined to succeed in their honor. She told KTLA, “I want to make them proud,” she added, “I will take this opportunity with an open heart.”
Going Back To Studying
Remaining Anonymous
The two strangers who assisted Chandara requested anonymity. It’s enough for them to know that they’ve given one young woman a second chance at life. And, thanks to their generosity, Chandara may be able to realize all of her ambitions. This story is certainly heartwarming, and we only wish that this inspires others to do good for other people too.
Remaining Anonymous