Anonymous Customer Gives Waitresses $15,000 Tip After Overhearing Their Conversation

[1monster]

Random Act of Kindness: video at the link

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/03/amber-kariolich-tip_n_4717667.html

Over the weekend, three waitresses at a restaurant in Caledonia, Ill., each received a $5,000 tip from an anonymous woman -- and two of the waitresses weren't even serving her table.

Amber Kariolich, Amy Sabani and Sarah Seckinger had been discussing paying bills and financial hardships with each other while they worked at Boone County Family Restaurant on Saturday, WIFR reported. All three young women were shocked -- and extremely grateful -- when the customer approached them with the checks.

"I want you girls to take these to help with school and everything else in life," the woman told the waitresses, according to the Rockford Register Star. "Yes, you can take it. You put that in your pocket. God sent me here to help you."

[In_The_Wind]

1. Kick

[renate]

2. it's so easy to get the impression that the world is mostly horrible

And plenty of horrible things do happen, goodness knows, and I would never want to hide from the truth... but that's not the whole picture. I'm really happy to see something like this in the news. Thank you!!

[Lost_Count]

3. Bookmarking for later...

... to see who mocks her for the belief that "God sent her"

[Goblinmonger]

5. Do you think

God did send her?

[demwing]

11. Sent? Who knows. Encouraged? Yeah, absolutely

Now ask me to define God...

[Goblinmonger]

65. Well, if we are going to make words meaningless

then she could say tiramisu made her do it and define that dessert as whatever she wishes.

[demwing]

72. Adding context does not make words meaningless

it clarifies meaning, and increases understanding.

What does she mean by "sent"? Was she given a specific address, or was she simply moved to go out and find a few fellow travelers, struggling on their paths?

If she meant the latter if she was encouraged by a power she described as God, then (again) I absolutely believe God sent her.

We also need to consider what she might have meant by "God."

The all powerful, all knowing, creator of everything? The collective consciousness if the Universe? Love?

If she believes that love, or the spirit of love, moved or encouraged her to help those women, then who would argue?

Trying to understand what a person means, rather than fixating on what thy said, never diminishes meaning. Never.

And while we're talking about love and tiramisu,let me just say that I do.

[Goblinmonger]

76. To a large extent I'm with you on this.

I'm an English teacher with a Master's in Communication so I understand fully what you are saying.

What I have a problem with is when "God" is used to mean "consciousness of the Universe" or "love." If that is what one means (and I'm fine with people saying that those things motivate them--love certainly motivates me on many occasions) when one says "god," then the word "god" kind of becomes meaningless. It would convey more meaning if one then just used "love" or "sense of humanity" instead of "god." Using "god" distracts from what is actually the real motivating factor.

And I didn't just pick tiramisu out of a hat...I loves me some tiramisu. Wish I could go to Mike's Pastry in Boston and get some right now.

[demwing]

90. So you're upset over word choice?

many words have multiple meanings. There are different concepts of God all throughout the world, and the US is no safe zone.

For example, there are 2-3 times as many Hindus as there are Americans. Not only do Hindus define "God" differently than non-Hindus, but you'd be pressed to find a group of Hindus that all define God the same as each other.

To add to the definition diversity, some Hindus may worship dozens of Gods, each with dozens of personalities and incarnations (not to mention heads and arms), while many other Hindus define God as an impersonal universal energy, and others define God as a reflection of our own consciousness. This diversity of definition is nothing new. The earliest Hindu scriptures predate Christianity by a millennium, and Greek Democracy but a good five Centuries.

So tell me again about how the definition of God used to be so cleanly drawn, till folks started fuzzing it up some?

I ask because in your post #75 (http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024444273#post75) you relate your "favorite" Sam Harris quote.

Let's acknowledge and move past the fact that you have a "favorite" Harris quote, and focus on Harris' silliness. So he can't figure out how the addition of a hairdryer makes the claim more ridiculous or offensive?

If he's serious, he's either an insensitive shit-head, or the dumbest philosopher/neuroscientist ever. This makes me believe that he's not serious after all, and in all likelihood, neither are you.

I don't think you care about the "God" word at all.

I think you're upset over the beliefs of the believer.

[Goblinmonger]

91. Well

You went from discussing the ever changing and flexible definitions of word to making some pretty bold decisions about what I'm thinking. I was/am trying to have a discussion about the word choice and why it was bothersome to me.

I don't know how the addition of polytheistic religions is the same as what I'm talking about. Yes, the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as current Hindus, believe in more than one god. But in those instances, it is still a personified concept. There is still a representation we can point to and call it god. That is nowhere near saying that god is love. Or the connectedness of humanity. No. Where. Near. And do you want to put a wager on what "god" she was talking about? Because statistically I'm the house on this one and likely to win that she is referring to the personal God of Abraham.

I think it would be interesting for you to expose the problems you have with Harris, but, perhaps, that is for another discussion.

Here's why he "can't figure it out" (spoiler: he can figure it out but is using rhetorical techniques to make a point--thought you could catch that)--Because if you are one to believe that there is a personal god and that god will literally talk specifically to one person, why couldn't that same powerful god not make the conversation come through a hair dryer?

I have no problem with this woman and her beliefs. But...1) if she is saying that god literally did something to make her do that, I don't believe that is true and she is conflating one thing with another which isn't a big deal for me but I'm not going to orgasmically gush over her and her special connection with god because I don't think that is reality. She seems like a cool person. Giving that money to those women was awesome. I don't need the god bit to think those things. 2) If she, as you seemed to indicate above, really meant not a personal god but the concept of love and connection to humanity then she should say that so people don't think 1. Or not, I don't care. But if she wants respect for her beliefs which are actually close to 2 than 1 (which I don't believe is the case) she should make that clear or I will continue to rest on my interpretation in 1.

[ohheckyeah]

35. Obviously she thinks so...

so who cares? She was inspired by whomever or whatever to engage in an incredible act of kindness. I don't care if she thought the tooth fairy sent her.

[Goblinmonger]

64. Well, if she thinks the tooth fairy sent her,

it might be argued by most that she needs a Power of Attorney to protect her assets because she may not be of sound mind to be making financial decisions.

[demwing]

67. Would you make that argument

about her belief in God, if you were given the opportunity and the means?

[Goblinmonger]

75. I am not saying that this woman,

because she believes god (whatever that means to her) sent her to do this, is legally incapable of handling her finances and should have a Power of Attorney forced on her. BUT, it does make me think/ponder of one of my favorite Sam Harris quotations:

“The president of the United States has claimed, on more than one occasion, to be in dialogue with God. If he said that he was talking to God through his hairdryer, this would precipitate a national emergency. I fail to see how the addition of a hairdryer makes the claim more ridiculous or offensive.”

[mr blur]

83. Excellent quote! nt

[japple]

51. Who the hell cares? If she thinks God sent her, that is what matters to her

--not what you or I think. At least she didn't attach all these strings to her gift like lots of people do, esp. christians and republicans.

[deacon_sephiroth]

8. count me in n/t

[JHB]

12. I won't fault the woman, but I'll believe God is involved when...

...the Koch brothers sent 5 grand checks to 10 million waitresses. And they don't bounce.
And start advocating for 1950s taxes.

[pangaia]

13. Exactly. Right on the money, so to speak.

[LittleGirl]

21. It would create a boom

for 10 million waitresses, most of them, single mothers too. !!!!

Can you imagine where that money would go?

I can.

First thing, the grocery store, the shoe shops and clothing stores. Then bicycles, second hand vehicles, school books and the opportunity to help their families move one step away from poverty. I can't imagine how much good would come from a gesture like that to 10 million waitresses. 5,000 dollars. O.M.G.

But that would never happen, would it?

Especially from those evil corporations. Nope.

I can see an individual or two paying it forward but a major corporation? bwahhaaa haaa. no way.

[father founding]

69. pay it forward to us

The corporations are already trying to figure out a way to get their hands on their money.

[JHB]

82. I'm afraid I don't understand your question, and I suspect...

...you didn't quite understand my comment.

[toby jo]

15. Many years ago I was 'god'

I had a paper route in Akron, OH, early mornings, maybe 4-6 a.m. It was Jan., & I saw a woman walking down the road, so I picked her up, it was COLD out. She said she forgot her wallet, and was on her way to pick up her son or something, and ran out of gas, so I drove her home. She said god sent me to be there.

And all I could think was where was your god when you went out the door at 4 in the morning on a cold Jan day without your goddamn wallet?

Selective godding, I call it.

Nice of the woman to drop a tip like that. I'm glad she was moved.

[progressoid]

37. Selective godding

very good.

[ArtiChoke]

85. Keep being good, you're god at it, n/t.

[Glassunion]

17. Good idea.

[xfundy]

19. Oh. Good.

[morningfog]

59. Does your current name refer to number of previous DU screen names?

[Lochloosa]

63. And exactly what are you going to do with this information? Cast a spell?

[snooper2]

70. She did a good thing, if she wants people to believe

She's on a mission from god, who are we to stop her LOL

[steve2470]

4. wonderful story

Yes there are wonderful people in this world ! Bless you anonymous donor lady.

[Bigmack]

6. kick nt

[grilled onions]

7. It Restores Faith In Humanity

Money can buy grief or it can buy happiness. Hoarders, I don't think are ever happy. When you can't help out by money there are other ways to help and I think it is up to us to help make the world a better place. Those girls will remember this kindness for many years and when they prosper we all prosper.

[closeupready]

9. That's such a wonderful story. There is a video at the link, and

the one waitress said she had a little boy at home and this gift would mean she could maybe spend more time at home with him. K&R

[notadmblnd]

10. Wow, that's something I've always dreamed of doing

To have a large amount of money and just hand it out to people.

[LittleGirl]

22. me too.

I live for the day to do it too.

[passiveporcupine]

34. Remember the old TV show The Millionaire?

If you are old enough. I've always wanted to be that guy handing out the money. But, I'd rather we fix this broken system that allows some people to work full-time and still not make enough to live on.

[lpbk2713]

38. Michael Anthony passed it out for John Beresford Tipton.

A Million bucks was some serious change back then.

My, how times change.

[Mosby]

14. I find stories like this depressing

Maybe all poor people should have their stories told to rich people.

American society failed these women.

[Lost_Count]

25. Good evening to you, Debbie Downer...

[Science Crow]

33. Me too

The largesse of the rich should be nice, it shouldn't be necessary.

[Phentex]

58. I understand this sentiment...

the internet has made it possible to highlight these stories on a daily basis. On the bright side, people do care but it seems like some only care when the story has been pushed in their face.

[CFLDem]

16. Maybe because tis the season

but I hope they save enough to pay the taxes on the extra income.

[LittleGirl]

23. gifts under 10,000

are tax free to the recipient.

[aroach]

29. I believe it is $14000 as of 2013 (n/t)

[LittleGirl]

55. did not know that

it's been like never since I got a 10 k gift. ha.

[aroach]

26. It was a gift and not a tip

If they call it a tip then it is taxable but it clearly was a gift and not taxable since two of the waitresses were not even involved in serving the customer.

[former9thward]

27. Except there are no taxes.

It is gift income. No taxes under $14,000 of a gift.

[CFLDem]

39. Well that's good.

I always thought it was $1k. Learn something new everyday

[Ms. Toad]

77. ALL gifts are tax free to the recipient.

Donors must account for, and pay taxes on, their gifts to others. Recipients owe nothing.

(There are exemptions ($~14,000 to as many individuals as you want), and a very large final total - made up of all gifts over the exempt gift amount each year and what is left in your estate and not excluded.)

[xfundy]

18. This is refreshing.

God so often tells folks to hate, oppress, hurt or kill others. Hopefully this shows the therapy's been working.

[MindMover]

20. I live within 3 miles of the restaurant and eat there often ...

and know the waitresses that got the money ... just a wonderful gesture by a very fortunate individual ...

One of them is going to apply the money to her college tuition and return to become a police officer ...

[justiceischeap]

24. How much of that gift will have to go to taxes?

It's great this woman was kind enough to make this gift but I hope the young women keep taxes in mind now that this has been publicized.

[former9thward]

28. There are no taxes.

It was a gift. No taxes of gifts under $14,000.

[justiceischeap]

30. Cool! That's great then.

I just remember stories of people when stuff on Wheel of Fortune or Price is Right not knowing they had to pay taxes on stuff and then getting into real financial trouble down the road from it.

[former9thward]

32. Yeah, I know.

But game shows are not considered gifts. Basically like winning money in Vegas.

[hughee99]

40. Couldn't the IRS argue that it was a tip, not a gift?

If not for the other two, at least for the woman that actually served her? I'm not saying they will, but they've made some pretty bad PR moves in the past.

[former9thward]

42. They could argue 20% of the bill was a tip.

Beyond that it would not be reasonable especially give the other circumstances.

[hughee99]

44. Thanks. I'm not exactly sure how that works.

I can't imagine there's some IRS agent out there looking to piss in the cornflakes, but I've been surprised before.

[Ms. Toad]

79. Actually, they could argue the entire amount was a tip.

Although an identical amount given to two individuals who were not waiting on the donor would suggest gift, rather than tip.

Tips are not limited in quantity. There is a presumed amount for purposes of ensuring that taxes are paid on tips - since they typically are not reported. But every person who receives tips is obligated to track (either via their employer or independently) the amount received and report it as income. Most don't (in my experience preparing taxes I did not have a single person report any additional - or a shortfall - in tips).

[DesMoinesDem]

41. It was a tip, at least for one of them, but probably all of them

because they were working and it came from a customer. You have to pay taxes on tips.

[former9thward]

43. No it was not a tip.

Even the IRS would not embarrass themselves making that argument. It was a gift.

[DesMoinesDem]

45. A customer gave money to a waitress. That is a tip.

Even the article calls it a tip. You better believe the IRS considers it a tip.

[former9thward]

46. I would love to place a bet with you.

Except I know I would not get my money.

[DesMoinesDem]

47. I don't place bets with anonymous people online.

[Hosnon]

49. What service did the waitress provide to justify a $5,000 tip?

Seriously. Under what circumstances would that be reasonable compensation for services performed by your server?

[WillowTree]

53. Ummmmm.......Not to state the obvious or anything, but.......

.......the headline of this thread reads "Anonymous Customer Gives Waitresses $15,000 Tip......." (emphasis mine).

Just sayin'.

[former9thward]

54. Is the C+ journalism graduate an accountant?

Or a tax lawyer? Maybe doing headline writing on the side? I doubt it. Tax Courts don't decide cases based on how someone write a headline.

[DFW]

57. Exactly

My dad was one very hotshot journalist (president of Washington's Gridiron Club). I grew up around journalism. Usually, it's not even the writer of the article who writes the headline. The headline is usually done by someone else entirely. To grab attention for a gift to a waitress, you call such a gift a "tip" to attract the reader's attention. However, as the donor clearly stated that the gifts were after hearing the waitresses' conversation, and not for extraordinary service at her table, the only way the IRS could construe this as a tip would be if there were one very nasty IRS agent looking for trouble with his or her superior down the line. As was pointed out elsewhere, equal gifts were made to two waitresses who had not even served the donor. Ergo: not a tip.

Besides, as all three recipients were in dire financial straits, they will just be plowing the money right back into the economy (see Thom Hartmann's excellent video clip on the Ripple Effect).

One time, about 30 years ago, some people I know were at some cheap food place (a Lums, I think) somewhere in the middle of nowhere, had had a long day, and were a little rowdy (or so at last one of them told me--I wasn't there). There were four or five of them, and the bill came out to less than $10 (like I said, 30 years ago). The tired waitress was nevertheless cheerful, and put up with all their antics with a smile. They left her a $50 bill and left, but watched from outside as she cleared the table. They said she was dancing around the room when she saw their "tip," and said it was worth every cent just to see her reaction.

[former9thward]

66. Great story, thanks!

[yuiyoshida]

87. Question...

Don't some restaurants have a policy where each waiter/waitress has to share their tips in a big pot..so everyone gets a share? That 50 dollar tip might make her dance, but if its dived up by 7...she might not be dancing so hard.

[DFW]

88. This was 30 years ago, pretty late at night

And I couldn't tell you how many other people worked at this place, nor what pooling policy, if any, they had.

I've heard that some restaurants do have a pooling policy, but whether this was the case at a Lums someplace in Maryland, or wherever it was, in 1981, I couldn't tell you.

[Ms. Toad]

80. News reports often get the details wrong.

It does increase the risk that the IRS may notice and at least question the gift - but it wouldn't be definitive.

[passiveporcupine]

31. While I don't believe in God

I most certainly believe in serendipity, and the good hearts of people.

[JDPriestly]

36. Sounds like the generous lady wants to vote for a higher minimum wage.

I'm with her.

[niyad]

48. thank you for sharing this. being reminded that there is a decent side to humanity is always a

good thing.

[busterbrown]

50. Above:" Selective Goding” is used..

Exactly!!! Great story, but for me its a huge distraction... I believe that this woman was a woman of God and felt compelled to help these girls.... I doubt and I don’t know for certain, but I have a hunch this woman leans towards a dis- like for Govt. and our safety net programs..

I know she might not be at all, but I know there are plenty out there that feel the Church and Charitable people helping one an other are the true answers...

[grahamhgreen]

52. +1.

[Orsino]

74. The slight whiff of prosperity doctrine spoils an otherwise nice story.

Having lots of spare cash does not make one godly. Usually quite the reverse--witness all the waitstaff around the world who weren't so blessed.

But perhaps I'm supposed to shut up and applaud God?

[deutsey]

56. That's truly wonderful

but we need to move beyond these kinds of individual stories of people getting the money they need toward making it a societal way of sharing the wealth most of us helped to create.

[Glitterati]

60. Anonymous? When writing a check? NOT

Bwahahahahahahahahaha!

In case the reporter didn't notice, her name was on the check - twice. Printed on it, then signed by her. Otherwise, said check would be uncashable, and not a gift to anyone.

Not to mention, a poor waitress walking into a bank with a $5,000.00 check to cash it would likely be arrested for the assumption that she stole said check and is trying to pass it for cash.

[ScreamingMeemie]

61. Anonymous can mean,"Please don't give out my name..." said to the waitresses.

[Dorian Gray]

62. I give anonymous gifts to charities

Basically, the charity knows who I am, but I request that they don't tell anybody who I am.

[Jefferson23]

68. What an outstanding thing to do. K&R

[packman]

71. Warms the heart, but

I am still looking forward to the day when waitresses, fast food workers, and all workers do not have to say, "Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." These heart-warming tales of the poor downtrodden workers being "gifted" by more well to do people strike a nerve in me and remind me of the rich riding thru the streets of Paris a few centuries ago tossing coins out their carriage windows to the starving masses. Then came the Revolution.

[Auntie Bush]

78. I love that article except for the last line.

"God sent me here to help you." She's a wonderful woman anyway.

[awoke_in_2003]

81. A christian who lives by their beliefs...

very refreshing.

[Hulk]

86. The crumbs fall off the table...

How wonderful. Guilt eventually gets to most people.

[1monster]

89. I don't think that we have enough information about the customer who made the gift

to be so cynical about it.

She might be someonw who gives what she has out of the goodness of her heart rather than out of having an excess of money.

She may have worked very hard all her life for that money. She might be someone who was once in need herself and only now is in a position to help others.

She might be filthy rich or she might just have come into some money and wants to pass on her good fortune.

I don't have much myself, but I give when I can. No, it isn't $5,000 checks for three women, but I've gone to my bank and taken out $20.00 to give to the handicapped homeless man sitting on the curb when I've had less than $100 in that bank... And I've bought a meal and given $20.00 to other homeless people when I didn't have much.

And if ever I'm in the position to be able to give out large amounts of money to strangers, I will do it... Not out of guilt, but because I've gone hungry a few times in my life. And I know, that there but for the grace of god, fate, nemisis, karma, the force, or what you will, go I. I'd like to think that if I ever walk that road, someone would lend me a hand too.

The customer committed a random act of much kindness; she shouldn't be shamed by people who can't see it for that.