The night before I left Vancouver I took my daughters and their friend Vickie, or as I affectionately call her, ‘my other daughter’, out for dinner. Every Easter while the girls were in school, Vickie would accompany the three of us on our yearly sojourn to Tofino, on the far west coast of Vancouver Island. For the Easter break week, we would play by the ocean, wandering the forest trails, hiking deep into the bog, kayaking, whale-watching, playing cards, laughing and eating, always eating.
On Monday night, we shared stories of our travels together, laughing and teasing each other over some of the crazy antics the girls got up to on those annual trips.
When dinner was over, the bill arrived and I was surprised at how little the meal cost. Checking it, Alexis and Liseanne both noticed the waitress had forgotten to bill us for one item. Without hesitation, they called the waitress over and showed her the mistake. Grateful, she added the item and returned the bill. It was still reasonable and at least we were paying for everything we’d received. If you like Mexican food and are in Vancouver — go to Topanga Cafe in Kitsalano — Good food (large portions). Good service — and it’s not expensive.
What impressed me was how the girls did not hesitate to correct our servers mistake. While it would have been easy to pay and leave, they did not question doing, ‘the right thing’.
It made a difference.
To the server. The restaurant and our consciences. Knowing we weren’t ‘sneaking’ one by, means we don’t have to carry the knowledge that we didn’t turn up in honesty and integrity. It means we don’t have to have the prickle in our conscience eating away at our peace of mind telling us that we cheated someone out of what was rightfully theirs.
And there’s always payback.
Yesterday, driving back from Vancouver, I stopped for gas in Golden. I paid at the pump (it’s the law in BC) and went inside the station for a bottle of water and some gum. When I went to pay, the attendant rounded down my $5.20 total by deducting the $.20, even though I had placed the two dimes on top of the five. Pushing the two dimes back towards me he laughed and said, “It’s a special just for you because I want to!”
While twenty cents isn’t a big deal, it felt nice to receive the gift of his consideration. His gesture definitely put a smile on my face and lifted my spirits for the rest of the drive home!
When we turn up — and are scrupulous with our honesty, the world turns up for us in return.
Sure, it would have been easy to ignore the servers mistake, but the payback is greater when we choose to be honest. In the end, the difference becomes clear in our being able to go through each day knowing — we did the right thing.
Dare Boldly 
I would be worried that if I was under charged at the restraunt and didn’t say something the server may get into trouble or worse be made to pay the amount themself and yes that does happen in some places so I would say something I just wouldn’t feel right not saying so it is different if I didn’t notice but if I do notice something like that I am the type of person who just have to speak up………….and that was karma you geting a 20 cent discount at the service station……………..
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Don and I had a similar situation a couple of years ago in Halifax. We were out for a late-night apres-show dinner, and our waiter was very busy with weekend partiers. When the bill came, we noticed she’d forgotten to add one round of beers, so we called her over. I think she was braced for a complaint, judging by her demeanour, but when we indicated we thought we owed her more, she melted and practically burst into tears! As Diana mentioned, she said the money would have had to come out of her paycheque, and she was very grateful for our honesty. We were back again a few days later (it was the only place serving food after midnight in the area where we were staying) and she insisted on giving us a free dessert. We tried not to accept, but she was very insistent. 🙂
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Isn’t that awesome Alyssa! I like it when people share their best. It makes such a world of difference. Hugs
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It’s amazing how much both of your daughters resemble you, and now we see that they have also learned from you the value of living life honestly and doing the right thing, they didn’t hesitate. They are the gift you leave to this world after you pass on, and obviously they are very special and will touch many lives. You have reason to be proud, and I know you are!
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Thanks Josie! 🙂 Like your daughters, they are amazing! 🙂
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Love it. You did something something right in raising those girls! Often when servers make that mistake, it comes right out of their paycheques and they don’t make a lot to start with! BTW, your daughters sure look like you!
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Tee hee — if only all I’d given them was the best of me! 🙂
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Thank you Maureen. And me too! Love that coincidence. Hugs
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Clearly, you made a difference in how you raised your daughters.
I like the coincidence of the two events, which so well reflects that return gift.
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