Iowa Waitress, Taelor Beeck, Gets Note Saying ‘Tips Are For Normal Looking People’
As a Des Moines, Iowa, waitress closed out one of her tables on Tuesday, she noticed one of the patrons left her a note on their receipt that brought back memories of middle school bullies.
The Des Moines Register reports that Taelor May Beeck, a waitress at Zombie Burger off of East Grand Ave., was stiffed for a tip by a group of patrons who instead left a nasty note.
“Tips are only for normal looking people.”
Beeck, who sports a nose ring, several tattoos, and bright pink hair, admitted that the note angered her. As a self-proclaimed “weird individual,” she said she heard the same kind of comments in middle school, but didn’t expect adults to be so blatant and rude.
“At first, I felt really upset, I felt attacked, I almost felt like I was back in middle school all over again, like being bullied. I felt like a burning anger inside of me.”
Although the patrons’ check was only $17.16, Beeck relies on tips to pay her bills. The waitress stated that if people stiff her on tips based off of her appearance, she wouldn’t be able to make a living.
“I mean I can’t pay my bills if people don’t tip me. That’s how I make a living.”
Stiffed! Zombie Burger waitress wasn't left a tip. According to the note "tips are only for normal looking people" pic.twitter.com/qVV1YoSeTb
— Ben Oldach (@BenOldach) March 16, 2016
Beeck decided not to act out in anger, indicating that anger only fuels some people’s hate even further. She’s described as a popular waitress by store management, a management that stands behind promoting individuality and uniqueness.
“Zombie Burger is a place that celebrates individuality and we think the vast majority of our customers like the fact that everybody there is unique. It is a real shame that someone would do this to a person in the service industry. We stand behind our staff and the fact that they celebrate who they are because that is at the core of Zombie Burger’s mission and a large part of what makes that environment special.”
Set as an “undead” zombie theme, Zombie Burger offers customers a way to “escape from boring food and drinks.” Adorned with a neon sign, a photo of zombies that stretch across an entire wall, and menu items such as the “Dead Moines” burger and “The Walking Ched” salad, it seems that most people who dine at the establishment would not only expect unique individuals to work at the restaurant, but also embrace them.
Regardless, Beeck stated that she has no plans to change who she is or what she stands for over a few closed-minded individuals.
“It’s the way that I can express myself artistically and it’s really important for me that I’m allowed to do that, and it’s okay if people don’t understand it because it’s just who I am.
How Much Should You Tip?
According to CNN Money, restaurant patrons should tip at least 15 percent of their total bill, at minimum, and for adequate service. If your waiter gives you great service, a tip of 20 percent is ideal. What about those waiters who just don’t have it together one night and end up giving you poor service? Although it may be tempting to leave no tip at all, poor service should get at least a 10 percent tip.
As for the customers who decided to stiff the Des Moines waitress, Taelor Beek hopes that in the future they won’t judge people based on appearances.
“I would tell them to not judge someone based on what they look like. I mean, I may look like a weirdo but I’m actually a very nice, decent person.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQWiWpMbrRc
[Photo via Christopher Furlong/Getty Images]
