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Last week I was out with some relatives for dinner.

We were done with the meal and I had paid the bill with a CC.

The waitress saw what I had given her for a tip and quietly thanked me when she caught my eye.

We stayed quite a bit longer and talked and when we got up to leave, I threw a few more dollars on the table, even though the restaurant was empty, but not closed.

My much younger cousin (actually, he's my 4th cousin) asked why I put more money down after I had already tipped her. Tommy is about 18, but doesn't have any real world experience, because of health issues. I decided to take the opportunity to teach him some proper restaurant edicate.

First , was why I left more. We stayed "longer" than normal, occupying her table. If the restaurant was busy and we were sitting there, she couldn't make any more tips. She lives off of her tips.

Second, ALWAYS leave a good tip. If you can't AFFORD to leave a good tip, you CAN'T AFFORD to eat out.

Third, leaving a good tip might just be a blessing they might need. Whether its financial or maybe it'll just brighten their day.

Lastly, they'll remember you. Maybe not the first time or the second, but the third or fouth time, they will. With that, you will almost always have stellar service.

Going to a restaurant is a mutual admiration society. The customer admires the servers service. And the server admires the costumers tips. As long as each continues to admire the other, everybody is happy.

Tommy noticed the waitress once again thanking me as we left. If he learned nothing else, he learned about respecting others and bring a small amount of joy into another persons life.