Waitress' tip denied; homophobic note left as gratuity
November 15, 2013
A waitress in New Jersey who previously served in the Marines received an offensive note from a family who denied her a tip because of her "gay lifestyle." Now, she is speaking out against those very people whose freedom she once defended. (on.aol.com)
Huff Post Live
A waitress' tip was not only denied; a New Jersey diner wrote a homophobic note on the server-ex-Marine's dinner receipt, Wednesday, in protest of her homosexual lifestyle. Since posting the hurtful note on an LGBT website, Dayna Morales has received an outpouring of support, according to a Nov. 15 Huffington Post report.
The egregious waitress-tip ordeal took place Wednesday at the Gallop Asian Bistro in Bridgewater from the moment Morales greeted the family of four: a woman, man and their two children.
What happened next reads like something from a Punk'd episode. However, this really took place in the 21st century.
When the waitress introduced herself as Dayna, the woman at the table expressed shock and said she thought Morales looked more like a "Dan" (due to her short hair).
Dayna got the drift of the woman's offensive comment, but remained professional until the end. And when the family departed, the waitress went to the table to collect the signed credit card receipt for the $93.55 bill. Instead of a tip, the waitress found a note the women left behind.
It read: "I'm sorry but I cannot tip because I do not agree with your lifestyle and the way you live your life."
She then took the receipt to her manager, who was terribly moved by what had just happened.We're a family here. It's the most outlandish thing I've ever heard in my entire life. There's no reason for anything like that to happen," said general manager Byron Lapola in a Today interview.
Later, Morales made a post on the "Have A Gay Day" blog which read:I'm a server at Gallop Asian Bistro in Bridgewater, NJ and THIS is what happened to me today. NEVER in a million years did I think this would happen...I am THOROUGHLY offended mad pissed off and hurt that THIS is what her kids will grow up learning and that I served in the Marines to keep ignorant people like them free."
Despite the waitress' tip -- in the form of a hurtful note -- Morales maintained her cool and continued serving the family. However, her frustrations were clearly felt through the email she wrote to the blog.
This is what Morales would have likely said, had she not taken the high road from the diner's homophobic slur towards her:I am THOROUGHLY offended mad pissed off and hurt that THIS is what her kids will grow up learning and that I served in the Marines to keep ignorant people like them free. Sorry lady but I don't agree with YOUR lifestyle and the way you're raising your kids but you didn't see me throwing that in your face and giving you shitty service. Keep your damn mouth shut and pray we never cross paths again," the email read to the LGBT blog and was later posted on its Facebook page. With the waitress' tip denied and the incident posted on social media, thousands of people from around the world spoke out against gay and lesbian sexual discrimination. In fact, a Pay Pal account Morales set up at the behest of readers has already raised thousands of dollars following the flood of support.
The ex-member of the U.S. Marine Corps-turned server of ten years said she plans to donate part of the money to the Wounded Warrior program for combat veterans in need.
Regarding the homophobic woman, perhaps this milestone, albeit a bad one, in her life will allow her to ponder the matter for what it is.
examiner.com