A Lot of "Awwws" Up in Here

We’ve all heard, “a little goes a long way.”  But in the hospitality industry where we generally feel unappreciated by those we serve, a kind little gesture, even a teeny tiny one, goes much further than a long way.  

I greeted a table of three consisting of a couple and a female, all of whom were about my age.  They were a captivating threesome.  The couple had this familiarity about them and the single girl was strikingly beautiful.   I greeted the table the same as I always do.  However, intrigued as to why I felt like I knew them, I had to find out.  “You two look familiar.  Have you been in here before?”  The guy laughed and responded, “Yes.  You actually waited on us (pointing to his girlfriend and himself) last time we were here.  We were the embarrassing couple celebrating our nine-month anniversary.”  

Oh yes.  The nine-month “anniversary” couple.     

I remembered them vividly at that moment.  Very sweet couple.  I remembered their reservation notes read they were celebrating an anniversary.  So naturally after I became privy to this information, I greeted their table by saying, “Happy Anniversary!  How many years?”  The guy answered, slightly uncomfortable, and stated they were actually celebrating nine months of being together.  Awww, to be in love…  cue the hearts beaming out of their eyes and up and around their faces…

Now that I’d figured out how I knew them, they were my “cool table” of the night.  As servers, we always hope to have one or two cool tables every night (ideally, of course, every table on every shift would be cool.  But we all know the odds of that happening are slim to zero).   Cool tables are like waiting on your friends: they know you (even if it’s just from the last time they dined), they’re chill, they’re polite, they’re fun and they’re in a good mood.  The key is you don’t feel stressed about them.  And, as you would expect, cool tables tip well too.  This memorable threesome was my one cool table of the night. 

After playful rounds of appetizers, entrees, and several rounds of drinks, it was time to bring out the dessert menu.  As I was walking over with the menus, I suddenly remembered their first visit when I gave them our famous chocolate dessert for their “anniversary.”  They were surprised I remembered what they had.  I asked if they wanted that again or a different one this time.  The single, beautiful female immediately piped up, “I want chocolate.  My boyfriend and I broke up today. I would actually love some chocolate.”   I made the universal “Awww…” sound and said to her, “I’ll definitely bring that chocolate dessert out for you.  And I’ll give it to you on the house of course.”  They were stoked and thanked me.  I looked at the newly single beauty and said, “And I wouldn’t worry about a thing.  You’re gorgeous.  You’ll have another man in no time.”  She grinned and said, “Awww… thanks,” back at me.  She blushed. 

After they all relished in their chocolate heaven, it was time to drop the check.  They said thank you a hundred times to me and eventually strolled out the door.  When I went to pick up the credit card slips, I noticed the beauty had written on the bottom of hers.  It read, “I had a really bad day today.  But you made it better.  Thank you.” 

Cue the “Awww…” again.  She didn’t have to write that note.  But something inside of her felt like she should.  I only assume it was because I actually did make her day better and she wanted me to know, in hopes to make my day better.  It only took a few seconds to write that note to me, and I will never forget it.

I haven’t written anything in over a month.  Tonight, when I sat down to write, I racked my brain about which encounter I wanted to share with others.  I’d taken a few mental notes over the past few weeks about story ideas, but this one just kept popping up. 

And so I delved in.  Because even the littlest gesture does go a long way, even perhaps forever into the future.  I feel it’s my responsibility to pass it on and put it out there into the universe. 

Because it’s my obligation to pay it forward, to serve humanity. ~ HK ~