It started as a normal workday for a 20-year-old waiter at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Overland Park, Kansas. However, after demonstrating impeccable service, the waiter discovered a message of hate left for him on the back of the guests’ check.
What started as a compliment from the couple (Thank you for your service, it was excellent) quickly turned vile: That being said, we cannot in good conscience tip you, for your homosexual lifestyle is an affront to GOD. Q***rs do not share in the wealth of GOD, and you will not share in ours. We hope you will see the tip your f** choices made you lose out on, and plan accordingly. It is never too late for GOD’s love, but none shall be spared for f**s. May GOD have mercy on you.
Apparently, the couple decided that their faith prevented them from tipping the waiter for his service, although they had no qualms regarding acceptance of his hard work and had no issue enjoying the food he served them.
“This is not Christian as I know it,” said Dr. Marvin Baker, a local pastor who leads a Bible study group for LGBT members. “God really loves us. God does not advertise or promote hate. That is not love.”
The server (and his mother, who works as a hostess) declined to appear in televised interviews, not wanting to out the hateful couple or cause a fuss. Either way, members of the community are flocking to Carrabba’s, requesting to be seated in the waiter’s section so that they can tip him for his service.
“The offers to help pay me back are much appreciated,” the waiter responded to the vast amount of local community support, “but not at all needed. I’d prefer to let my work ethic and my service do the talking, nothing else.”
Within a few days, the story of the hateful, anti-gay message had spread across the nation. Carrabba’s was in for a surprise when President Obama arrived a few days later unannounced, asking to be seated in the server’s section along with children he’d brought from the Muslim Outreach Program – a program aimed at making it easier for Muslim Americans to assimilate into American society, and improve their quality of life for their families. After enjoying his meal and speaking with the waiter, Obama shook his hand and left a generous tip.
Since the incident, the restaurant’s franchise company has spoken about about discrimination, but there is no work if service will be denied to the hateful couple of they return.
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