A heartwarming act of kindness at a fancy inner-city bistro left a young waitress in awe. A group of diners, enjoying a delightful meal of steak and pasta, surprised her with an astonishing $10,000 tip!
Lauren, a university student and the main waitress for the table of four at Gilson in Melbourne’s South Yarra, provided exceptional service that captivated the diners. When it came time to pay for their $500 lunch, one of them generously offered an astronomical figure as a tip.
Lauren was taken aback when the gentleman paying insisted that she should receive 70% of the tip, which amounted to $7,000. Touched by this unexpected gesture, she reportedly burst into tears of gratitude. It’s worth noting that tips at Gilson are typically divided among the restaurant’s 23 employees.
The generous tipper is believed to be a teenage cryptocurrency entrepreneur who owns two luxurious properties in Toorak, totaling $120 million. Lauren’s negotiation ensured that her colleagues received $3,000 to split amongst themselves, which meant each employee received $136.
Gilson, a hip Italian restaurant, is frequently visited by social media models, influencers, and reality television personalities. It’s a favorite spot in the bustling neighborhood, where high-net-worth individuals and renowned businessmen can be found.
According to Lauren, one of the waitresses who worked that Saturday, the restaurant staff was in absolute astonishment for half an hour after the group’s departure. She described Lauren as a terrific waitress and acknowledged the affluence of the region as a contributing factor to such a generous tip. The group that left the tip was not a regular one but rather a walk-in group.
In addition to reducing her work hours at the restaurant to part-time after receiving the unexpected windfall, Lauren revealed that the wait crew at Gilson is like a close-knit family who often share their secrets and celebrate one another’s successes.
Lauren admitted that she had to ask the gentleman to repeat the tip, just to make sure she hadn’t misheard the astonishing amount. Jamie McBride, the owner of Gilson, expressed his delight at seeing his employees receive this extraordinary recognition. He shared that it made the entire team feel special, especially considering that such surprises are not something they anticipate.
The generous tip also brought some welcome good news for Mr. McBride. In 2021, he was fined $204,000 for underpaying his employees. However, this act of kindness helped uplift spirits and bring renewed hope to the Gilson staff.
Being a part of this heartwarming story has truly left an impact on everyone involved. It serves as a reminder of the power of generosity and the positive effect it can have on people’s lives.
