A Pennsylvania restaurant is suing a customer for leaving a $3,000 tip on a $13 meal, leading to financial and legal complications.
In a recent incident in Pennsylvania, a restaurant has taken legal action against a customer who left an enormous tip.
The customer left a tip of $3,000 on a meal that cost just $13.
This unusual situation has captured significant attention and sparked debate about tip culture in the service industry.
A customer left a $3,000 tip for a waitress
The story began when a customer visited Alfredo’s Café, a local eatery in Scranton.
The man ordered a modest meal that cost just $13. However, when it was time to pay the bill, he left an extraordinary tip of $3,000.
The gesture was intended to reward the waitress for the excellent service Mariana Lambert.
It really meant a lot to me because everyone’s going through stuff. It really touched my heart.
I still can’t believe it. I’m still in shock,” Mariana said.
The staff initially received it with great enthusiasm.
Matt Martini, an employee at the restaurant, approached the customer who left a large tip and requested extra identification.
After showing his ID, they observed that Smith had written an unusual note on the receipt, saying, “Tips for Jesus.”
It seems this was part of a social media trend, and Smith chose to participate in it.
Restaurant files lawsuit against customer for leaving $3,000 waitress tip on his $13 meal
However, the situation quickly worsened when, a few weeks later, the restaurant received a letter from Smith.
In the letter, he requested the tip money be returned.
Matt Martini, the restaurant manager, tried to contact Smith to verify the tip but was unsuccessful.
Since Alfredo’s Cafe had already transferred the $3,000 to Mariana, they had to pay it back out of their own pocket.
Employee Zachary Jacobson said: “Now we’re just left high and dry. And he told us to sue him. So that’s what we’re going to do, I guess.”
The local community tried to rally behind Alfredo’s Cafe by starting a GoFundMe campaign, but the restaurant refused the money and shut down the campaign.
The local community tried to support Alfredo’s Cafe by starting a GoFundMe campaign.
However, the restaurant refused the money and shut down the fundraiser.
Social media reactions
The lawsuit has sparked widespread debate and confusion on social media.
Many people are questioning whether the restaurant’s response was appropriate.
Some believe that the large tip should have been accepted with gratitude.
They think the restaurant should have managed it without taking legal action.
On the other hand, some people see the restaurant’s side. They think dealing with such a big tip could be hard for a business.
The tipping culture in the U.S. is appalling.
It relies on the customer to pay the wages of the staff whilst the owner throws them scraps, one user said.
Tips in the US are seen as actual wages for the staff! Madness!
Just pay them a living wage and then any tips are just a happy bonus, the second user commented.
I’m sorry but the restaurant totally deserve it.
If I saw that tip I’d query it instantly, suspecting that it was likely a mistake, the third user said.
Why is tipping mandatory? Instead of tipping why can’t they provide a better living rate of pay? Another user asked.