Say you're a single mom to three kids who works hard as a waitress at a pizza parlor that pays a measly $2.89 an hour ... plus tips, of course. Sure, some nights you might take home $60-$100 in tips, but that's no guarantee. Then one day, a couple whose bill comes to a grand total of $42 leaves you ... $458! What on earth ... Would you buy it?
Hardworking single mom to three Kristen Ruggiero, who has worked at Uncle Tony's Pizza in Cranston, Rhode Island for 15 years, couldn't believe it was happening to her when it did. But it's true -- two extremely generous patrons left her a 1,000 percent tip. Because they could and because she deserved it.
Ruggiero's co-worker, Christine Lamoureux, told the local news station:
We were just so happy for her because she deserves it out of anyone at this place the most. Because she's a single mother of three and she works so hard and she's just an amazing person.
Sounds about right! Especially when you consider what Ruggiero did with the extra cash: She was able to "pay a couple of bills," as "it's tough, you know, struggling day by day." And she has also able to pay for a couple of trips to Six Flags with her kids. Aww!
When you hear a story like this, you can't help but think about what a difference a generous tip could make for a server when you're dining out.
Maybe it's because I briefly dated stingy guys who were nightmarish, neurotic, nitpicky tippers, but one of the small but lovely traits I so admire about my fiance is that he always -- unless we were majorly aggrieved somehow -- tips very generously. And it's almost always noticed and appreciated. And he just does it because he feels like it's the right thing to do -- even in circumstances where it's not necessary or customary. I like to think if we were ever to win the lottery or come into some big bucks, we could offer even heftier tips like this one ... You never know whose day, month, or even year you could make by just being even a bit more altruistic.
Check out this video for more on Ruggiero's story ...
ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather
Does this make you want to give better tips?
Image via ABC6.com
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Comments 22
My sister was a waitress for years and they work their a$$es off. Hats off to such a generous couple. If I have the money, I always try to tip above the "customary" amount because it is hard to do that kind of work and deal with rude, judgmental people and keep a smile on your face.
Pat McBison - A single mom of 3 could easily be a widow or someone whose husband left her. So what's she supposed to do? Give them up? Living on tips is not always easy. You never know for sure what you're going to bring home. Now, waitstaff is charged a minimum 15% of the bill for tax purposes by the IRS. Doesn't mean they always make it. I'm curious if you are one of the folks who think teachers should be paid based on test scores.
Pat McBison, people like you are the reason waitstaff deserve the tips they get... just saying. Have YOU ever tried to balance a tray loaded down with about 10-15 pounds worth of food and dishes? If not, then you have no right to say its "not a skill." I have worked as both a waitress and a bartender, because those were the jobs I could find at the time.
As for your comments about her "choice" to have three children, not all single Moms have never been married. My mother found herself as a single parent after my father went to jail for child molestation. People have all different kinds of back stories. So before you judge, maybe you should think about that. How do you know that this woman isn't a widow who's husband was killed in Iraq or Afghanistan? Get off your high horse.