Tipped To Be Racist

A couple comes into the store and buys some items.

Female Customer: *To the male customer.* “No, don’t get that brand. The Mexicans buy those ones, so they must be gross.”

She catches my eye as she says this. I am clearly Hispanic.

Female Customer: “You one of them illegals?”

Me: “I was born in Texas, ma’am.”

Female Customer: “Ah, so your parents snuck you across before you were born, huh? They should change the law so they can’t allow that.”

Me: “Not that it’s any of your business but my mother was also born in the US, and her parents were from Venezuela.”

Male Customer: “Drug runners then, ha!”

Me: *Trying to hurry it along, gesturing at their items.* “Is this everything?”

They make their purchase, and it comes to $19.89. The customer hands me $100.

Male Customer: “Keep the change, you might need it for when you need to bail an uncle out of jail, ha!”

They head off, leaving me both confused at the large ‘tip’ combined with their awful racism. It all makes sense two hours later when I see him come back in.

Male Customer: “I… uh… was here earlier.”

Me: “Yes, sir, I remember.”

Male Customer: “I thought I had paid with a twenty, but I… I think I paid with a hundred.”

Me: “Yes, sir, I remember. You told me to keep the change.”

Male Customer: “Well… uh… that was a mistake. Can I have my change back?”

Me: “I’m sorry, sir, but I just came back from my lunch and in that time, I donated your generous tip towards a charity that helps lawyers who help migrants trying to stay in the US.”

Male Customer: “What! I… uh…”

Me: “Your donation was greatly appreciated, sir! If you feel that you would like to take this matter further, please write to our Corporate HQ.”

The customer looked angry but stormed out. My revenge was petty, but oh so worth it. I (or my manager) never heard from Corporate.