Emotional moment waitress moved to tears by customer’s tip
A waitress who had been out of work for months because of virus shutdowns has been moved to tears by a customer’s generous tip.
A waitress who had been out of work for months because of coronavirus shutdowns has been left stunned after receiving a huge tip as part of a pay it forward movement.
Katie Taylor recently returned to her waitressing job at a pub in Indiana when she served a woman who finished up with a $US35 ($A50) bill.
While tipping is standard in the US, customers usually leave between 15-20 per cent as a gratuity, but Katie received much more than that.
Heather Hotrum, the customer who had sat in her serving section, was also a waitress and she was taking part in a social media trend that tasks people with raising money and then using it to leave generous tips for their wait staff.
Katie had been nominated by a friend to receive the cash boost, which totalled $US330 ($A465) had been raised.
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Heather filmed the emotional moment Katie received the donation which left her in floods of tears and it has since been shared on Facebook.
In it, you can see her shock as Heather hands her the cash and explaining she had been in desperate need of a new pair of shoes.
“I tried so so so dang hard not to cry!!! I couldn’t hold it back!! PSA: grab a tissue!!
Just wait until you hear what she needed to buy!!” Heather wrote alongside the clip on Facebook, adding it was a “$35.00 bill, she was tipped $330.00!”
She went on to explain she was “overjoyed” to have helped Katie, thanking those who donated and explaining she was okay with the video being shared.
Reaction to the gesture had been huge with many praising the movement which is called “Venmo challenge” – named after a digital money sharing platform in the US.
“Wish I had 500 to give her !!! She looks sweet and GRATEFUL good job Heather ! Yall did good work,” one wrote.
“I got all teary eyed. That really hit me in my feels,” another said.
“I’m literally bawling right now watching this video,” someone else added.
Many more called it “amazing” and “thoughtful” adding they were having to redo their make-up because they were in floods of tears.
Taylor has since revealed she plans to help others who have been struggling in the future too in an interview with a local TV station.
“Be the most understanding, the kindest, most generous person you can be because everyone is struggling; and if you are in the position to help others, don’t hesitate to do that,” Taylor said.
She also said she was in complete “shock” at the gesture, calling it “awesome” and revealing she bought those new shoes she needed for work.
Continue the conversation @RebekahScanlan | rebekah.scanlan@news.com.au