nairb

There is not anything too special about what we have to eat. For several years it was at the Purple Cow so we had burgers. This year, since both boys were working, Jen, Emma and I went to IHOP (Emma's request). Like I said, there is nothing special about where we eat.

We prefer to leave a tip after our server thinks that we have completed payment. Always in cash! The tricky part is paying attention to how the tables are bussed. This year it was the nearest person. Our plan was not to tip the nearest person, but specifically our waitress. So, whereas in the past we'd leave the tips in a somewhat obvious spot, it would always be hidden enough for us to get outside and enjoy the sight. This year we had Emma take a tightly folded stack of money directly to the waitress. The only visibly bill was of low value. The waitress nicely thanked her headed behind the partition to her post. Meanwhile Jen and I watched from outside. We got to see her jump excitedly and run to tell her friend about the big tip she'd gotten. Emma got to hear all of this on her way out of the restaurant.

As we drove off we imagined how out waitress might be able to do something special with that extra cash. At the very least we thought she'd be that much nicer to people for the remainder of the night.