some cookies

a.k.a. Things That Are Not Douchey.

Today, a nice older customer (NOC) drew me to one side and whispered "someone has left money on a table upstairs as a tip.  It's not a lot, but it's something, a nice something to get.  Go get it before another customer does!"*  I went to let my manager know so he could send someone else to get it, there was service and I'm not about to leave them waiting just so I can financially profit.  NOC floated about for a little while on the stairs, I assume to wait for someone to go running off after the tip (which I strongly suspect he left).  He disappeared for a while, came back downstairs, and pressed his money into my hands with a "Shh!"

I had to smile.  Tips aren't customary in Australia, and I couldn't have accepted his money anyway even if they were (his money went to the instore charity box).  But it was nice to hear that a customer appreciated what I do.  So very often, the only genuine gratitude I hear is "thanks!" as some tosser leaves his rubbish, sometimes right next to the bin(!), for me to clean up.

Thanks, mystery customer.  You made my day.

* not verbatim, but it's midnight, so fuck off.