Bottles And Cans You Not?

I’m next in line at the recycling centre, waiting to redeem the little slip of paper listing how many cans and bottles I’ve dropped off in exchange for some grocery money. It’s a LOT of cans, and I’m in a good mood, so when I see that the clerk has a tip jar for their staff fund, I decide to pay it forward.

Clerk: “And your total is $18.40!”

I pass back the loose change.

Me: “Here, keep that as a tip.”

Clerk: “Oh, thank you!”

Customer: *From behind me* “Where’s my tip?”

I turn and see an older man glaring at me. Stunned and partly assuming it was a joke, I gesture to his deposit slip on the counter next to him.

Customer: “No, that’s not mine! It’s my friend’s; I’m doing this for him!”

Me: *Realizing that he isn’t joking* “Well, that’s… very nice of you?”

Customer: “He’s at home because he’s in a wheelchair and can’t come here to do it himself, so I’m dropping bottles off for him! Where’s my tip?”

I’m speechless. The customer stares at me expectantly.

Me: “Uh… that’s very big of you to help your friend, but I think that’s something to talk with him about…”

And with that, I quickly walked out before he could raise any more of a stink. Seriously, buddy, why ask a random stranger for their recycling money instead of asking your friend for a cut?