I was on the Kansas City Chiefs message board and they were discussing tipping and I found this story.

A server at a Carrabba's Italian Grill in Kansas was shocked to find a note left behind by a pair customers praising him for his excellent service, but denying him a tip due to his "homosexual lifestyle."

The unidentified 20-year-old, who works as a waiter at the casual dining chain's Overland Park location, had returned to his section after the couple exited the restaurant to find the note scribbled on the back of the check.

Thank you for your service, it was excellent. That being said, we cannot in good conscience tip you, for your homosexual lifestyle is an affront to GOD. Queers do not share in the wealth of GOD, and you will not share in ours. We hope you will see the tip your fag choices made you lose out on, and plan accordingly. It is never too late for GOD'S love, but none shall be spared for fags. May GOD have mercy on you.

The server's mom, who happens to be a hostess at the same restaurant, told the paper the customers were lucky she didn't see the note first or "the claws" would have come out.

After word began to spread on the social web about the incident, many residents started coming in to express their support for the victim.

"This does not represent Christianity. I called them Pharisees," Dr. Marvin Baker, a local pastor, told KCTV. "God really loves us. And God does not advertise or promote hate. That is not love."

In a statement, Carrabba's said it opposes discrimination and believes "in treating everyone with respect."

Though he has refused to be identified or speak directly to the press, the server did release a statement of his own, saying "The offers to help pay me back are much appreciated, but not at all needed. I'd prefer to let my work ethic and my service do the talking, nothing else."

Customers Praise Server's Excellent Service, But Refuse to Tip a 'Fag'

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A friend of mine's daughter is a server in the Villages and she came home the other night and showed us her tip from a table of 7. It was a pamphlet on the ways to get to heaven. She said while she was serving the customers, they were very friendly and appreciative of her since they kept changing their orders. She was shocked when she got the "tip"....we told her it is unfortunate for sure and in the restaurant business you will meet all types..some good, some not so good, and some just downright rude.

My husband always "over tips" He believes that waiter/waitress work hard for a small wage and count on their tips for their yearly income. After reading this I will encourage him to continue to do so and hopefully it will make up for the ignorance of others. How sad for these hard working servers.

To redwitch's original post: I can understand some people being bothered by restaurants putting suggest tip amounts on the bill. It kinda bugs me a little - almost feels like the restaurant's telling me what to do. No matter - we always tip at or above what would be considered the generally acceptable ranges based on the service provided. But if someone who's bothered by the "suggested amount printing on the bill" practice, they should voice their concerns to management and not take it up with the server. Maybe those kinds of folks are just looking in the wrong place to vent their frustration............or they're just using it as a convenient way to stiff the server.

However, on another note............and trying to interject a touch of humor here - - - - :D - - - - If I can tell that a server has got a good sense of humor, here's something I'll pull out of the hat at times: When they hand us the bill, I'll point to the total and ask the server what 2% of that amount is. I'll tell them I need some help figuring up their tip. :shocked: The reactions I get are pretty funny, all the way from "I'm not real good with math - let me get a calculator" (and they're drop-dead serious!) to those who try to figure it up in their head to those who just break out laughing hysterically.............to the really sharp ones who quickly toss back a big number like $20 or something. Always trying to keep people on their toes!!! :wave: Never had anybody even be the least bit offended.

I feel for people who are in such a profession - I couldn't do it.........I'd be chasing the cheapskates out in the parking lot!!! :1rotfl:

Bill :)

DH has always been a good tipper. Both of us reason that the wait person is there working trying to make a living. Their job is hard and frustrating...why should we make it any harder? Life is too short not to be appreciative of the small things.

The restaurants have to put on suggested tip amounts because of foreign visitors who do not understand need for tipping. In many countries tip is included.

tipping whats wrong with people
 

I find it so disgusting that they would not tip their server because he was gay. They had no problem with him serving them their meals. The server is a much better person.

That is horrible behavior and inexcusable. Servers depend on tips and work hard for them. They deserve an appropriate tip, not an excuse. Some folks are just plain cheap.

[QUOTE=boomerbaby;769116]I find it so disgusting that they would not tip their server because he was gay. They had no problem with him serving them their meals. The server is a much better person.[/QUOTE

I agree. If the patrons so despised the fact that the server is gay, why accept his service? And how did they know he is gay? If they knew in advance that he was gay and had such an objection, why did they accept service from him? They could have moved to another server's area or left. And what's up with the use of the word fag vis-a-vis their almighty, self-righteous Godspeak? The whole leave-a-note thing was very passive-aggressive. Obviously didn't have the nerve to speak up initially. Cowards!

This really argues for the US restaurants adopting the European standard of adding the tip to the bill. It weeds out the morons. More often than not, you get good service, and the tip is deserved.

Well stated and true. I agree.

Maybe you make it clear by your tone and expression that you are joking around. I'll bet you do it nicely like that, just as you did here with emoticons...that's why no one felt jerked around...except a few.

[quote=CFrance;769157]Being so unkind and so cheap and so MEAN is not what I understand being a Christian is supposed to be.

Sometimes I think that we're done and we might as well be dead...

But...I'm stuck like a dope with a thing called hope and I can't get it out of my head.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0DusO6ipLw[/ame]

Note.

Girls, SGP Special meeting in Olive Garden Parking lot today at one. Bring your big ones.

Yo G, aren't those big ones usually permanently attached ??

OH.:1rotfl:

We watched a group of 8 people at the bar of Cane Garden the other night leave NO tip to the bartender after ordering a series of drinks, then changing their minds, then ordering again. We commented to him about the snub. He said you haven't seen anything yet. As for the fools who write notes to their servers, there day is coming. Karma is on the way....

There is a movement going on at drive-thrus of some fast food restaurants where you place your order at one window and drive to the next to pay. People are paying for the car behind them who just placed their order. it's been on the news. They dubbed it "paying it backward."

Just thought I'd inject a little positive news that points out the difference between these people and the mean-spirited customers at OG.

But I'll still get out the squirt gun, Gracie.:MOJE_whot:

I bet the gal writes notes on her check too.

Lady to hand out letters instead of candy to fat trick or treaters

Servers, waitress or whatever the politically correct term these days...these people work very hard at their jobs, for less then min. wage pay and rely on their tips to subsidize their incomes. I put myself through college years ago waiting tables. At the time a 15% tip was great and 20% fantastic. Leaving notes on your guest tab is simply rude. I think the note leavers ought to try a few shifts out on the floor. Maybe their attitudes would be different. It's a hard job with tons of opening and closing sidework on top of waiting your tables. I have total respect for those who wait tables...it ain't easy folks.

To the poster regarding non-caffeine, non-sugar drinks....sorry, I forgot who it was...the best solution is club soda. Put a twist of lime or lemon, and it's just like having a cocktail (well...sorta), refershing, bubbly, and has some taste. Depending on your sugar tolerance, you can even ask for a splash of juice, just a teaspoon, or so. That will really perk it up.

I gave up caffeine and artificial sweetners a while back, and club soda, and seltzer, have saved me from my Diet Coke withdrawals...lol.

Restaurant waitstaff need tips just to make minimum wage. Your restaurant bill is lower because your server is paid less than what anyone should be paid to make even a minimal living. Anyone who feels they cannot "afford" to add 18% to their restaurant bill should stay home and doing the cooking, serving and clean-up themselves.

I always tip at least 20%, never less than $5, no matter how small the bill. Can you imagine deciding when checking out at a grocery store that even though your bill is $100 you are only going to pay $82? That is exactly what you re doing if you decide to not leave a tip.

Finally, i would like to offer my gratitude to all the wonderful waitstaff at the restaurants around The Villages. I am always amazed at how you can do your jobs with such a great attitude, smiles and pleasantries knowing that your customer may not reciprocate since leaving a tip continues to be an option and not a requirement.

Please. NOT only tip well but THANK your servers. I have YET to get a subpar person bringing me food jere in this place. My very favorite as a group are the ones at Bob Evans. Most of them are well, quite grown up and certainly old enough to live here.

We live close to Bob Evans and it is a favorite place to grab a bite on a busy day. They are always welcoming and very pleasant. The food is simple and tastes like home. They employ a LOT of seniors there.

I have read all these comments and the entire issue is mind-boggling. First of all, let me say that in America it is the custom to "tip" but what one tips is entirely "PERSONAL". Not everyone agrees that 15, 18 or 20% or more is the accepted norm. Not everyone belives like you or I and that ranges from our beliefs in politics, religion, sex and "tipping". Is some one who only gets sex XX times a month/year short changed??? Or was that only X times! Now that would be a topic of discussion!!

Comments such as I tip 20% but a minimun of $5...So what,..I heard someone say I tip 30% and a minimum of $10??? Is this for real or BS, or are you trying to make someone feel bad or are you boasting your ego?? A person tips what they can afford or believes is right, and to critize someone for doing otherwise I think is wrong. The system we have grown up in is the real fault but I cant say its wrong..its what we know. Service workers work hard and should be paid an acceptable wage.

We are comming into the season where this issue will or I should say "may" apply to others. There is no right or wrong answer...just follow your instincts and do what YOU think is right.

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If I was a server and you left me a note instead of a tip you better check your soup next time you come here, You just might find a dead mouse in it , or maybe just a roach. your drink taste a little funny?

iT'S SO SAD THAT OUR SOCIETY IS GETTING SO PETTY . IF YOU ARE SO CHEAP THAT YOU DONT WANT TO BLESS SOMEONE OR CANT AFFORD BEST KEEP YOUR OPINION TO YOURSELF.WHY INSULT ON TOP OF INJURY.