Couple shocks restaurant staff by leaving a $2,000 tip for them all to share

A generous couple left the staff at the Silver Street Tavern a hefty tip. (Photo: Facebook)
A generous couple left the staff at the Silver Street Tavern a hefty tip. (Photo: Facebook)

Employees at Silver Street Tavern in Waterville, Maine were expecting a typical weekend night on Saturday. Instead, they were shocked to find out that one couple who had dinner at the restaurant left them a $2,000 tip on their $48.76 bill.

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The Portland Press Herald reports that the couple left a manager with only one instruction: to split the tip among the staff.

Samantha Clark, who waited on the couple, described them as an “older gentleman and his wife,” and she has no idea why they chose to leave such a generous gratuity.

The 21-year-old server said the couple was friendly and easy to wait on. However, at one point, the man told her someone took his wine glass by mistake. The bartender brought him a new drink, but Clark became worried when the gentleman asked to speak to a manager.

Instead of complaining about an issue, the anonymous man asked the manager to transfer their bill from the table to the bar so they could cash out.

“That’s one of the coolest conversations I’ve ever had with a table,” the manager told Clark, but wouldn’t reveal any further details.

Later in the night, the news was shared on Facebook. “So awesome, we had to share!” the post read. “Thank you to the kind gentleman who came in for dinner tonight and had such a great experience that he left a $2,000 tip, to be divided among all the employees who were working the shift.”

According to Clark, the money will be split between 14 staff members, including waiters, bar staff and the kitchen. Each person will get about $140.

“It’s a feel-good story,” Charles Giguere, the owner of the restaurant, said. “The staff is so appreciative, and I’m proud of them for engendering such a generous tip. Everyone is happy, and I hope [the customers] are too.”

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