Life is too short to hold grudges and harbor animosity because tomorrow isn’t promised. All we have is today and the chance to make each moment count. In a delightful turn of events, a tipster engaged in a sweet gesture of kindness that went viral, captivating countless hearts.
A Life-Changing Encounter
Ashley Barrett, a waitress at Stonybrook, was utterly oblivious to Jamie Michael Carmen’s existence and vice versa. They had never met or known about one another; however, it all changed on Saturday, December 10, when Barrett came to serve food for Carmen and his friend.
Touched by their generosity, he followed in their footsteps and reached out to his peers, who loved the idea and were thrilled to make it happen.
The Server Refused to Accept the Money
In a heartwarming video that has since become a viral sensation online, Barrett walked over to Carmen’s table to see if his experience at the restaurant was pleasant. To her astonishment, he asked her about the biggest tip she had received while serving, and she replied, “Maybe, like $100.”
What happened next came as a huge surprise to Barrett and the many netizens who watched the incredible video online. Carmen took out $1,300 and handed it to her, but the kind server refused to take the money and was swept over by indescribable emotions. In the clip, she could be heard saying:
The Tipster’s Insistence
Barrett kept telling Carmen she couldn’t take it, but he refused to listen and told her politely, “Yes, you can. Listen, take $300 of it, spread [it] to them, and you keep $1,000.” Soon afterward, she erupted into tears and melted into Carmen’s comforting embrace. The viral video’s caption read:
“The best feeling ever!!!! Thanks to everyone that donated!!!!! Be kind people!!! Merry Christmas!!!!”
Although many might see it as an emotional exchange between a customer and a server, wait till you hear the underlying story and why Carmen chose Barrett as the recipient of the hefty amount. The York County resident said he wasn’t rich but made it happen thanks to his friends’ support.
The Incident that Inspired Him
Carmen revealed that he saw a soul-warming video in 2021 where a group of friends went to their local cafe and surprised the waitress with a tip of $100 each. Touched by their generosity, he decided to follow in their footsteps and reached out to his peers, who loved the idea and were thrilled to make it happen.
Thereafter, Carmen and his friends pitched in some money and went to Stonybrook, where Barrett was their server for the day. Upon handing the tip to the Pennsylvania waitress, Carmen said he couldn’t be more delighted because she was very deserving and grateful.
Ashley Barrett has an emotional meltdown as Jamie Michael Carmen hands her the tip. | Source: facebook.com/jamie.carmen.9