IHOP served free pancakes a few weeks ago on “IHOP National Pancake Day Celebration” in hopes that customers would donate money to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. I, along with many other Harding students, witnessed how chaotic the restaurant was. I could tell the servers were having a terrible time. I asked my server what she thought of the day, and she sadly shook her head in discouragement.
“This is for a good cause, and it should be a positive thing for the kids,” the server said. “But because of the [negative] attitudes of the customers, it’s a terrible experience.”
Sadly, though the food was free, the customers were not tipping, and, according to my server, they were hardly donating.
I am a server myself. You can find me at Ryan’s most weekends. The worst part of my job is working Sunday lunches. Right at 12 o’clock, the church crowd rushes in. They’re loud and they come in large groups. They bring children who are hard to control. And as my section of 20 tables fills up in a matter of five minutes, I am once again reminded that sometimes Christians don’t act Christ-like.
The truth is my co-workers barely have any interactions with Christians. They don’t always see Harding students when we’re helping the community during the Day of Service. They don’t always see us when we’re donating money to charities, to missionaries and to our churches. They see us through the eyes of a server: a job in which patience, humility and compassion are required. Unfortunately, those characteristics are not always reciprocated.
The sad truth is we make less tips on Sundays than on any other given day, and I’m not sure why. Maybe they donated to their churches right before lunch. Perhaps people don’t realize that servers are paid $2 to $3 an hour and are expected to reach minimum wage with their tips. Either way, it doesn’t paint a good picture of Christians. Many servers are in tight financial situations. Whether they be single-mothers, college students or simply from a low socio-economic class, they are always fighting to make their lives better.
Not tipping is a huge problem. As Christians, we should always strive to be Christ-like. We should reflect God and his goodness. Restaurants and all the other businesses in the world should be excited when we, the Christians, are their customers.
I am always so thankful when a group smiles, encourages and gives me more than the expected amount for a tip. It’s those people who help keep my faith strong. Next time you’re at a restaurant, remember to try and make a positive difference in your server’s day. Whether it is giving a generous tip or just being friendly, your kindness will not go unnoticed.
