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Who says there's no free lunch?

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Basil

Basil

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I had a very nice surprise today. I took my wife and daughter-in-law, and our granddaughter, out to lunch today. Lunch for four at this restaurant, by the time you add drinks, it typically $60-70, not counting tax and tip (so spending $80+ isn't unheard of).

We were just about to start eating, when the waitress came over and said that some lady (who had already left) had paid for all of our meals! Apparently she saw I had a Veteran's hat on and paid for, not just my meal, but the entire table! Talk about being blown away!
 
Used to go to a pizza joint for a lunch buffet. Gave the cashier $20 and asked that they buy two people lunch. Back when you could get lunch for $10.
 
Ah, the Stone Age. I remember it well.

Sometimes I'm a "Secret Santa", and hang out in thrift stores, while looking for jeans or a jacket. When I see someone who appears pretty desperate, looking for kids' clothes and coats, I slowly sneak near and drop a $100 bill near them, so they'll discover it. Usually ends with some joyful tears - on both sides.
 
I have a good relationship with the cashiers at our local grocery store. If I am in line and I see someone ahead of me that seems to be struggling to pay the bill, I just nod to the cashier and she just puts their items on my bill. It does not happen often, but when it does it makes my day. The secret is to not let the person know that I am the one paying the bill. I never want to embarrass someone just because they are having a tough time. I have been fortunate in life and sharing that good fortune is great therapy.
 
Back in the mid 70’s my dad was on a business trip overseas. Unfortunately, he passed away during the trip. A few weeks after my mom received a letter from a stranger with some money in the envelope. It seems there was a college kid buying a ticket home who was short on cash so my dad evidently gave the kid money to get home. The letter addressed to my dad was from the kids mother thanking my dad.
 
Basil said:
I had a very nice surprise today. I took my wife and daughter-in-law, and our granddaughter, out to lunch today. Lunch for four at this restaurant, by the time you add drinks, it typically $60-70, not counting tax and tip (so spending $80+ isn't unheard of).

We were just about to start eating, when the waitress came over and said that some lady (who had already left) had paid for all of our meals! Apparently she saw I had a Veteran's hat on and paid for, not just my meal, but the entire table! Talk about being blown away!
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The few times I drive over the hill for medical appointments, I try to have lunch or breakfast at my favorite cafe.
I had been going there for about two years when the waitress told me someone had paid my bill with tip.
This had never happened to me before and I told the waitress I wanted to pay it forward.
She didn't quite get the expression at first but I was able to explain it.
This happened to me a few times since and I never knew who did it (didn't much care).
I recently came into a small inheritance, so now I occasionally start the chain.
This is the kind of place where I can see how it happens.
It's locally owned, family run and has been staffed by the nicest people I ever run into.
The kind of place that if I forgot my wallet they would just say "pay it next time".
 
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