Homeless, Heartless, Helpless

I work at a restaurant in the downtown area. For the last couple of days, a homeless guy has been coming in. I haven’t been working when he has, but apparently, they’ve given him coffee and some rice and beans for free.

He’s come back in today during the evening rush, and my manager sees it.

Manager: “[Homeless Guy] is back. He started coming by at lunchtime but now he’s back three times a day. [Spanish Manager] told him to only come by for lunch but now he’s back all the time. He only speaks Spanish, so can you explain to him that we can’t help him tonight?”

Me: “You want me to say those exact words?”

Manager: “Just tell him what you’d tell any person who is loitering but not ordering anything.”

I go up to the guy and tell him this, and he smiles and heads out without any problems.

I am serving a table that was right next to this exchange so they must have overheard, as at the end of the night they stiff me on the tip, and left a note on the check saying:

Note: “It costs nothing to be kind. A hot meal can make all the difference. Do better.”

I worked a double today and I only made $60… so thanks?

I told the manager this and he asked me to confirm the table.

Manager: “They come in here all the time. Let me know next time they’re in the restaurant.”

The next week they’re back so I let my manager know. He heads over to the table.

Manager: “[Customer’s Names], so good to see you again! I just wanted to let you know that your feedback has been heard.”

Customer: “What feedback?”

Manager: “Last week, when you decided to make a point about us sending a homeless gentleman away by not tipping my waiter, who was just doing what he was told. Since you care so much about the disadvantaged people of our community we’ve started a scheme. You can pay for a whole hot meal tonight, and we will serve it to the homeless community. I’m sure you’re just as excited as we are about this amazing scheme.”

Customer: “Uh… well…”

Manager: “Because we simply can’t have any more misunderstandings like last week, where our poor waitstaff lose out on tips because of your strong desire to help the homeless, right?”

Customer: “Uh… right.”

Manager: “Excellent! I am so glad you see eye to eye with me on this. I’ll add $25 to your bill to pay for a hot appetizer and entrée for any disadvantaged person that comes by looking for a meal.”

The table stewed there in embarrassed silence the whole meal. They ate and left quickly, again not leaving a tip, but also never coming back. The homeless gentleman continued to come by every lunchtime for a free plate, but was surprised to get a hot takeout box on top of it for the next few days!