A North Carolina waitress recently shared a shocking experience where she was given a Bible verse in lieu of a gratuity from a customer. Regardless of one’s beliefs, this behavior is simply unacceptable. Tips are a crucial part of a server’s income, and replacing them with a discriminatory message is disgraceful. Even if the service isn’t up to par, it’s essential to tip appropriately because many servers earn a meager living. In fact, the average salary for a waitress in North Carolina hovers around $17,000, which is alarmingly close to the 2014 poverty line of $12,000 as reported by the Institute for Research on Poverty. It’s vital to always leave a tip.
This particular incident, however, goes beyond just a missed tip. The waitress, Emily Carter, recounted her experience to the local news after a customer left the message “lev 20.13” alongside “praying for you.” This reference is to Leviticus 20:13, which states, “If a man also shall lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” Is this really the kind of message that needs to be sent to a complete stranger?
Carter had been serving a table of two women at a popular café in Charlotte. While one patron left a tip, the other opted for the Biblical lecture. The troubling part is that the woman seemed to assume Carter’s sexual orientation without any disclosure from her. Carter never mentioned her sexuality; it was purely an unwarranted assumption from the customer.
In addition to the hateful message, Carter noted that the customers were unfriendly during their visit. “They wouldn’t engage with me at all, and their demeanor was just rude,” she expressed. Feeling hurt by the experience, she decided to share a photo of the receipt on social media, expressing disbelief that someone would treat her that way because of her identity.
This incident took place shortly after North Carolina enacted the controversial House Bill 2, which has been widely criticized for its anti-LGBT stance. Carter remarked, “There’s a lot of hate in Charlotte right now.” Many artists and organizations, including Ringo Starr and Cirque du Soleil, have canceled events in protest of the law, and various states have imposed travel restrictions to North Carolina in response to this legislation. The law mandates that individuals use public restrooms corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificates, a move that has sparked widespread outrage.
It’s important to recognize that many people you interact with daily, including those who serve you food or share public facilities, may belong to the LGBTQ+ community. Instead of allowing fear and prejudice to dictate actions, we should foster understanding and support for everyone. Remember, tipping is not just an obligation; it’s a fundamental way to show appreciation for the hard work that goes into serving us.
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In summary, the experience of Emily Carter highlights the need for compassion and respect in our interactions with others, regardless of their sexual orientation. It serves as a reminder that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and that tipping should never be used as a means of discrimination.
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