Working on Thanksgiving Isn’t so Bad If This Woman is Your Customer

A woman having a Thanksgiving meal for one at a restaurant might sound lonely, but this particular diner had such a wonderful time that she felt inspired to leave a gigantic tip - for every single employee.

On Thanksgiving Day, a Florida woman came into a Chart House restaurant in Melbourne, FL. She had no family nearby, and had just gotten upsetting news about a family member's health issue. She entered the restaurant where she's a regular customer, to dine alone. Three hours later, she left in much better spirits, thanks to the staff's welcoming attitude.

"I just needed my spirits lifted and everyone at the Chart House did it," the woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told Florida Today. "It was hard for me to leave. They made me feel like a member of the family. They're always great toward me. I just felt like I owed them a lot of gratitude for making my day."

Her dinner came to $29.95, and instead of leaving a 20% tip - about six dollars - she left $835.

The incredible tip was accompanied by a note on a cocktail napkin, asking $50 to go to each of the two bartenders on shift, and the rest split among the 50 other employees working that day.

"I've had outrageous tips, I have had gifts as tips," said bartender Kim Gasperini, who has worked at the restaurant for over two decades. "But never the entire restaurant. That's what blew me away. People were just dumbfounded."

"I didn't do it to get praise," said the tipper. "I did it because I am grateful for what I have. I'm very blessed and grateful that they spent their time away from their own families to serve us customers. That's the least I could do."

Not everyone can afford to give such a generous tip, but if you're spending a holiday being served by someone, any sign of your gratuity - even just being friendly and kind - can make all the difference.

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