As I said in my first post, I have had my share of woes working as a waiter. I have about three years of waiting table experience under my belt. In that three years I have been "stiffed," yelled at, and have been asked the horrible question of, "uhh can we speak to your manager please?" But through all this, the worst situation I have experienced is being left a gospel tract in place of a tip. Here are the top three reasons why this should never be done.
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| His look says it all. |
1."Money talks, and Christians walk."
The average waiter in Texas gets paid about $2.14 an hour. So, every little tip becomes a critical addition to his/her monthly income. You sitting in their table means money for them. When no money is made from you sitting in that table you automatically become a waste of time. So whatever you leave in place of actual money becomes hated, ignored, or a joke. Thus the Jesus you represent also becomes hated, ignored and a joke.
2. "I have needs too!"
As a Christian in a restaurant you are put in a position to meet someone's needs. You could be a blessing to a waiter, who, in all likelihood, has been dealing with the needy, ungrateful, cheapskates of this world. Anyone is more apt to listen to what you have to say when you show him or her a little respect. Respect to a waiter is saying, you have served me well for the last 40-45 minutes; let me serve you with a 20% tip. You have no idea how many people will not even look a waiter in the eye, much less acknowledge that this is a person who has bills, tuition, or maybe a wife and kid.
3. Snuggie Evangelism
**People are so lazy that they invented a blanket with sleeves so that they wouldn't have to take their arms out from under the covers to do stuff i.e. get the remote, read a book, blog. Same diff. "I'd rather not talk to you or make any conscious effort to share my faith, so read this...at least it looks like money." Its simply lazy evangelism. Waiters have prayer requests. Why not ask? And surprise, some waiters are already Christians. But you will never know because you can't see past your need for a refill. Christians need to use their words. It may not end up in some crazy conversion right there in the restaurant, but you will be demonstrating God's love. John 13:35
It breaks my heart to see Christ's message of love, forgiveness and hope laughed at and thrown away. Make no mistake they all get thrown away (also due to their poor presentation and writing). I challenge all Christians reading this to change if this is you. To those representing well out there, keep it up. I might even challenge you/myself to step up your game and learn a little about your waiters, or at least pray for them.
**I am a proud owner of a Snuggie. I you live in a cave and have never heard of a Snuggie, and therefore don't understand my analogy, here is a video for you. Snuggie Commercial
