Houston waiter receives $5K tip

[Doomsday101]

A Houston waiter was given a $5,000 tip after a couple heard his car was destroyed in a thunderstorm.

Greg Rubar, who has worked at D'Amico's Italian Market for 16 years, said he was especially shocked as tips are few and far between at the restaurant, the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday.

"Nobody ever gives me anything," Rubar said, adding initially he was hesitant about taking the money.

The couple, which wishes to remain anonymous, has been going to the restaurant for eight years and is often waited on by Rubar.

Rubar recalled, "He said, 'I'm not going to be giving you a tip for a while. Take this money. Go buy yourself a car."



Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012...stroys-his-car/?test=latestnews#ixzz1wMKS2izI

 

[JBond]

Nice to hear about something good. Most people that have the means are willing to help others.

Very nice, said D'Amico: "What this tells me is that there are people out there willing to help people."

D'Amico said he got to the restaurant about 30 minutes after the couple had already left (he knows them but wouldn't name them because "they're both real humble and they wouldn't want to come forward"). He said Rubar tried to give the money back, but "they wouldn't hear of it."

The gift - technically not a tip since it was not attached to a bill - underscores the relationship his servers have with his customers, D'Amico said. "We have customers who care about us and have a relationship beyond 'May I take your order please?' "

Rubar said he's still rattled by the incident. "The next time I see them I want to offer to pay it back. To me, it would be more of a gift if it was a loan," he said.

 

[Doomsday101]

Nice to hear about something good. Most people that have the means are willing to help others.

They did tell him not to expect any tips for a while. :laugh2:

No that was really nice of of this couple to do that and yes it is nice to see not everyone is screwed up

 

[JBond]

I hope he does not forget to hold back 25% for taxes....or he could use Turbo Tax and blame any inconsistencies on that.

I love feel good stories. I know things like this happen every day. I wish these types of actions got more play in the media. Most people are good people.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hope he does not forget to hold back 25% for taxes....or he could use Turbo Tax and blame any inconsistencies on that.

I love feel good stories. I know things like this happen every day. I wish these types of actions got more play in the media. Most people are good people.

Why uncle sam did not help him wait that table. :laugh2:

 

[rynochop]

Cool story, I read an article earlier how Mark Zuckerberg left a big fat ZERO for a tip at some restaurant a few days ago. But, who knows, if the service sucked, dont leave one. (not trying to restart the tipping debate)

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

That's awesome.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

By the way, if you ever want to see some exploited workers, go to a restaurant. Most of them are not there because they enjoy the job. Working with food and worrying about if people's stuff is perfect is stressful. I have respect for the fact some people do tip well. I worked as a waiter for 2 years. It was one of my first jobs. But it taught me a lot, and it motivated me to not have to do that again.

 

[DragonCowboy]

Cool story, I read an article earlier how Mark Zuckerberg left a big fat ZERO for a tip at some restaurant a few days ago. But, who knows, if the service sucked, dont leave one. (not trying to restart the tipping debate)

to be fair, that was in Italy, and I don't think people necessarily tip in European countries.

 

[MonsterD]

OMG Crazy ranch soggy fries lover lady is going to appear now, ohhhh!!!!!


:donthear:

 

[Teren_Kanan]

OMG Crazy ranch soggy fries lover lady is going to appear now, ohhhh!!!!!


:donthear:

Yeah she needs to explain to us why no server deserves such a tip.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

should have kept it quiet and then not declared it

 

[Tabascocat]

should have kept it quiet and then not declared it

No way around it if it was left on a credit/debit card as a tip. If it was indeed left on a card, then I imagine the manager made him tip out on it too, usually about 10% to busboys/hostesses/bartenders in the amount of $500.00 give or take.

If it was a gift as in a check or cash, then I don't think he needs to declare it to anyone including the IRS.

 

[Doomsday101]

No way around it if it was left on a credit/debit card as a tip. If it was indeed left on a card, then I imagine the manager made him tip out on it too, usually about 10% to busboys/hostesses/bartenders in the amount of $500.00 give or take.

If it was a gift as in a check or cash, then I don't think he needs to declare it to anyone including the IRS.

Now that it made news he does. :laugh2:

I doubt they gave it to him as part of the credit card charge since the reason was to help him get a car since he was damaged by the storm we had in Houston

 

[Tabascocat]

Now that it made news he does. :laugh2:

I doubt they gave it to him as part of the credit card charge since the reason was to help him get a car since he was damaged by the storm we had in Houston

Just read the article. It was cash that was left there for him to get a car and not a tip for waiting on them that day. In this case, all of the 5k is his

As for taxes, I don't think he has to claim it as it was just a gift. When I was younger in college, my dad would throw 1-2k at me for food and entertainment occasionally. I never once claimed that so I do not see how this situation is different.

Good for him, being kind and nice does indeed pay off sometimes.

 

[JBond]

Just read the article. It was cash that was left there for him to get a car and not a tip for waiting on them that day. In this case, all of the 5k is his

As for taxes, I don't think he has to claim it as it was just a gift. When I was younger in college, my dad would throw 1-2k at me for food and entertainment occasionally. I never once claimed that so I do not see how this situation is different.

Good for him, being kind and nice does indeed pay off sometimes.

I believe you can give up to $10,000 as a gift without tax implications. After that the greedy government wants a big chunk for doing nothing.

 

[TheKey]

I give credit for the guy wanting to take it as a loan...hard workers are hard to find these days, especially ones not looking for a handout.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

to be fair, that was in Italy, and I don't think people necessarily tip in European countries.

they usually include the tip in the bill