Who else thinks this is fake? "Soldier Refuses To Tip Server Because He Thinks His Service Should Be Enough"

Maj Matt Hylton — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:14:27 -0500

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/02/24/soldier-refuses-to-tip-server-because-he-thinks-his-service-should-be-enough-image/

I think everyone is missing the joke here. Please look at the signature block: Z. Brannigan.

For anyone that has not seen the show Futurama, go here for a brief overview for the character Zapp Brannigan: http://futurama.wikia.com/wiki/Zapp_Brannigan

I've seen it shared multiple times on my Facebook feed now and everyone seems to be getting duped by this. Of course, everyone is going crazy calling this guy a pompous ass and a jerk, because, it's on the internet, you know, so it must be true.

It really ticks me off though, because something that probably started out as a joke has somehow turned into a viral story that is doing a disservice to military veterans (like us) who would never act like that to a server (or anyone else for that matter).

Soldier Refuses To Tip Server Because He Thinks His Service Should Be Enough (IMAGE)

Is this soldier a pompous asshole or is he justified?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 9:19 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:19:26 -0500

I have known some vets with this attitude, Maj Matt Hylton. This one guy would say "You're welcome" when someone said "Happy Veterans Day." He was definitely one of "those guys." This guy could be cut from the same cloth.

Then again, I see that it could be a joke, as you note, sir, but if it is a joke, it's not all that funny -- because of the impression it leaves to the average joe/jane.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 26 at 2015 9:23 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:23:19 -0500

I posted that in the Meme wars thread! Realistically, I have met vets with that attitude. Mostly from one branch.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 9:30 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:30:25 -0500

Agreed with the above responses. Although, this instance may have been a joke... there are definitely service members out there who share this mentality.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 9:38 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:38:05 -0500

I'm no handwriting analyst, but there are some differences that should be noted. The horizontal lines in the signature rise from low to high. In the printed text the majority of horizontal lines are formed from a high point to low. The difference appears to be a right handed signer and a left handed waiter/waitress.

My guess is the soldier had terrible service and refused a tip. The waiter/waitress felt slighted and wanted 10 min of fame. I'll bet a "fund me" account was created for a "payday."

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Feb 26 at 2015 10:13 AM

Maj Matt Hylton — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 10:13:01 -0500

Other things that make me suspicious about the receipt:
- It doesn't show the whole receipt,
- It doesn't show the customer's printed name
- It doesn't show that this is the restaurant's copy or the customer's copy

If it is the customer copy, it doesn't matter and could easily just be faked by the customer or the wait staff while the real restaurant copy would have contained the tip and valid signature of the customer.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Feb 26 at 2015 10:14 AM

SPC James Mcneil — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 10:14:07 -0500

I'm not sure if it's fake or not, but I know it casts a very negative view on the rest of us. I'm addressing it as though it's real because the rest of the world needs to see us as warfighters standing up and saying, "We're better than this." JMHO.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 10:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 10:16:22 -0500

Fake. Then again so is 99% of the Internet.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 10:23 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 10:23:44 -0500

I think a year ago a similar incident happened up in New Jersey. A waitress posted a receipt with a comment scrawled on it that said "I don't support your lifestyle." The waitress I think was lesbian. Anyways there was a 0 in the tip line. When the picture went viral, the customers went on air and showed proof that that they did in fact tip and they didn't write those comments.

http://nypost.com/2013/12/07/waitress-claiming-couple-didnt-tip-because-shes-gay-gets-fired/

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Feb 26 at 2015 10:25 AM

SPC Neil Hood — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 10:25:27 -0500

Considering the entitlement generation's viewpoint it wouldn't surprise me if it may be true.

Also, it may be reactionary to getting horrible service and if that's the case it demonstrates a lack of self control. If you want to give them nothing write nothing.

Advertising your service isn't cool. I would expect more humility from a service member.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 26 at 2015 10:27 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 10:27:20 -0500

I voted could be a real jerk because they exist in the world. They are usually the ones that still have a corncob stuck in places the sun do not shine. If the service was not that horrible then he should approach management otherwise he should tip the minimum amount. That waiter or waitress works for tips and their "hourly" wage covers the taxes normally.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 10:38 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 10:38:13 -0500

this could be like that waitress in NY who faked a comment on a receipt that she claimed disparaged her sexuality. after research into it, it turned out SHE wrote the comment in order to garner attention. appears this is the same type of deal.

Kif, I'm bored. What's say you go out on the wing and pretend you're a gremlin?

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Feb 26 at 2015 11:33 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 11:33:33 -0500

Could be real although I personally doubt it. If it is legit I would say it was probably either someone who never served or someone that did serve but didn't do much and wants to feel privileged.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 26 at 2015 2:38 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 14:38:54 -0500

People are jerks, whether the jerk was the one leaving the note or the one pretending to leave the note wouldn't surprise me.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Feb 27 at 2015 10:37 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:37:01 -0500

I've had snoo snoo.

My first thought when this popped up on Facebook was to be enraged, but then I saw the signature and just could not stop laughing. Good timing since I just started rewatching Futurama earlier this month.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 27 at 2015 11:43 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 11:43:26 -0500

No one says we have to tip. A tip is just that, a tip. If you don't get one, then drive on and do your job.

Response by MSgt Jim Pollock made Feb 27 at 2015 11:27 PM

MSgt Jim Pollock — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 23:27:21 -0500

Joke or no joke someone deserves a throat punch.

Real?? Graciously accept thanks, but no one owes you anything...

Fake?? Thanks for making every veteran look like an entitled princess just to stroke your funny bone...

Both of these statements should be followed by the degrading euphemism of your choice.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Feb 27 at 2015 11:40 PM

SCPO Joshua I — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 23:40:10 -0500

If you believe military members are incapable of that kind of behaviour, I've got a bridge to sell you.

It may well be fake, but I've known plenty of people like it.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2015 1:01 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 13:01:56 -0500

Even though Snopes has made an "undetermined" vote on it (http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/soldiertip.asp) they were able to clearly show that the "server" has not stepped forward to validate the receipt's authenticity nor has the supposed restaurant (Red Robin) provided any comment either way on it as well. Since all information on the receipt that could validate it is cut off I personally consider this a fake. Which in today's internet society is really not that surprising.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Feb 28 at 2015 8:07 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 20:07:55 -0500

fake name but could still be a valid receipt. So the idiotic note does a disservice to us all regardless of the intent.