A Tale of Christmas Magic at the Aramingo Diner
I don't know about you, but I'm so burned out on health care politics, I needed a little break. This story is the perfect remedy - especially since it so beautifully illustrates progressive values about community, and helping each other.
This is about one of the neighborhood diners I frequent, and I was so happy to read this story (and this one, too):
Last Saturday, Dec. 5th, something startling and wonderful happened at The Aramingo Diner in Port Richmond.
The 52-year-old landmark restaurant at 3356 Aramingo Ave. is open 24 hours a day, so it's always a-bustle. But the place really hops during weekend breakfast and lunch time. Last Saturday was no different, and both wings of the diner - the booth area and the bigger dining room - were lively.
The manager on duty, Linda (who asked that I not mention her last name here, for reasons I can't get into but let's just say everything worked out okay...), tells me that a couple in their 30s paid their check at the register, then asked the cashier to let them secretly pay the check of another couple in the dining room - a couple they didn't know.
"They just wanted to do it," she said. "They thought it would be a nice thing to do."
When the unsuspecting patrons went to pay their check, they were floored to find out that strangers had picked up their tab. So they asked the cashier to let them pay another table's check, also anonymously.
When that table's patrons approached the register, they, too, decided to pay the favor forward for yet another table of unsuspecting strangers.
You know where this is going, right?
For two hours, delighted customer after delighted customer continued to pay the favor forward. And a buzz began to grow. Not among patrons, who had no inkling what was going down at the register, but among the dining-room wait staff - Marvin, Rosie, Jasmine and Lynn - and other Aramingo workers moving in and out of the room.
"We were amazed," says Linda, adding that neither she nor her staffers that day recognized any of the participating patrons as regulars. "Nobody knew each other. But once they found out someone paid their check, they got excited and wanted to do the same thing for another table."
The checks weren't huge, says Linda. They varied between about twelve bucks and $30 (many of the sneaky do-gooders even included tip money in the gift).
But the impact made an out-sized impression on the staff, who marveled at how that initial, single act of generosity kept repeating itself.
Says Linda, "In thirty years working here, I've never seen anything like it. You might have someone pick up a check for another table, but usually it's because they know them."
All in all, about 20 checks were "paid forward" (a term coined by author Catherine Ryan Hyde, whose 2000 book, Pay It Forward was made into an earnestly schmaltzy Hollywood movie).
The lovely cycle finally ended, two hours after it began, when a lone diner, clearly unacquainted with the "pay it forward" concept, seemed befuddled that someone had picked up his check. He simply accepted the favor, grunted, and left.
Notes Linda, "He didn't even leave a tip."
Ah, well. Some people have had so little kindness in their lives, they don't know what to do with it when they see it. They don't really understand we're all in this together.
I hope some people read this and try it in their own towns. What a nice Christmas present to yourself!
would be that the single patron who broke the cycle...
was pro capitalism...and anti socialist...
There are those among us who would not want to see a dime of theirs....
But as an end note...a wonderful story....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPBS7dVrE1U
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
christmas magic my ass. The whole fucking planet could do this if they felt like it.
:)
Corruption favors the wealthy.
I tried the same thing at my local hospital and by the time we were done, over 30 people had declared bankruptcy trying to cover the next person's bill!
Be nice, Susie's tuckered out on the health care stuff! :P
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
Susie's right; this is exhausting... bad, curtilingus, bad (still, it was a pretty creative way to slip it in the mix).
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Sorry .. It was meant in jest.
I'm a southerner
Jest what?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Now jest you waita minute ys...
;)
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
That's kinda catchy.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Called to Say I Love You. :D
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
:)
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Thanks!
and listening to experts like Zbigniew Brzezinski warning "there’s going to be growing conflict between the classes and if people are unemployed and really hurting, hell, there could be even riots."
Maybe they should go out and pic up everyone's tab for a change.
have to go to town in the morning, maybe I should bring along five extra dollars to give to the bus driver to cover the bus fare for the next five people to get on after me... :)
Although if it's the town wingnut bus driver, I wonder how he'd react to that act of *gasp* socialism!
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
five pay probably .
:S
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
... toll booths can be a great place to pay it forward. I've read stories of it lasting for more than 100 repetitions, and been involved in a few myself having no idea how long it lasted for everyone else. I do know that for me it lasted a while - both the memory of the surprise that the car ahead me did it for me and the pleasure of my doing it for the next one.
Of course, it might be somewhat difficult to get the bus to take the freeway....
[on edit - d'oh, not the freeway, the toll way]
Corruption favors the wealthy.
can imagine they are great for paying it forward. :D
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
We're kind of neighbors. I'm just miles off 99 and only about 550 miles north. Watch for me; I'll wave.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
*
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
and most people usually just say something like "Oh, neat" and move on.
One guy refused it so I used it for the next car.
Another guy thought it was so cool that he paid for the next two cars after him.
Show me the yellow cake.
*
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
After graduating college and getting a "real" job, some buddies and I headed to some old stomping grounds. As friends were catching up, I wandered over to the bar and sat down to catch sports scores. I sat right near those silly brass bars where everyone orders their drinks. Some people would make small talk and were fairly cheerful. When their drinks came, I would tell the bartender to put it on my tab (since I had oh-so-much disposable income now). People were appreciative. More often than not, they'd offer to get me my next drink. I told them don't worry about it.
"Unless some legislator pulls off a last-minute double-cross, health care reform will pass the Senate this week. Count me among those who consider this an awesome achievement. It’s a seriously flawed bill, we’ll spend years if not decades fixing it, but it’s nonetheless a huge step forward."
Mitch McConnell?
.
.
/snark
December 5th is the Eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Sachs?
Jesus's baby-daddy.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Knuck knuck
Better known as sinterklaas. :) (he has minions to work for him, lal )
Bite my shiny metal ass.
http://www.startalkradio.net/
http://images.replacements.com/images/images5...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I'm not surprised if this is going to be debunked on Snopes soon.
Bite my shiny metal ass.
http://www.startalkradio.net/
she'd know whether it was Snopes material or not. :)
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
Ah, stupid details. Damn you details. Sorry, i can't read sometimes. :)
Lal.
Bite my shiny metal ass.
http://www.startalkradio.net/
details! ;)
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
Wow.
You know, since he was a LONE DINER and all, he must not have been loved enough as a child. Sheesh. Talk about projecting. Just because it's the holidays, we think that someone NOT continuing something that is (a) completely mysterious to them and (b) not in any way obligatory is an assured act of anti-kindness.
What if he didn't have enough money to pay for a two top? What if he only brought enough money to feed himself, and once he realized his meal was paid for, he decided to keep what little money he had in his pocket so he could afford some aspirin because all of his teeth are falling out? Or because his mother has cancer? Or because he's working two jobs to buy his kids Christmas presents? Who knows? Probably not the waitstaff, and certainly not the author of this post.
Best to give people the benefit of the doubt, in the off chance that their lives are completely fucked. Why jump to the conclusion that he's some unloved and clearly hateful loner? That he's just not had enough generosity in his life? You can say that the fact that he didn't tip influences your decision, but, as hearsay, it wouldn't fly in court. It's not like he exclaimed, "Bah, humbug!" and gave everyone the bird.
Merry Christmas
I'd like to change my bet please....
oh never mind...
The poor people go to the other diner. This one's more expensive, with a steakhouse menu.
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
http://static.crooksandliars.com/files/upload...
I was involved in a business for many years that always involved high school students at prom time. I would always go to a nearby restaurant where I knew students would be having dinner. I would ask the waiter/waitress to choose a table of students, and I would pay their tab. I asked them to never identify me, but one time a waitress did tell them who paid their tab. I recived a beautifully written thank you and a prom picture of the students. It was so much fun, and I know they appreciated the little bit of help.
and it's too bad we couldn't go. The resturant is along Highway 99, and there are obviously there are a lot people taking it to get through California to their destinations. I'm sure some tired travelers would have liked being surprised with their bill covered! :)
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
There will be another chance.
How does this scheme work when ya order Chinese takeout from home?
Show me the yellow cake.
give the delivery person a nice holiday by tipping them well! :)
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
I like these happy stories.
far left loon >.<
...what is the big deal? What actually happened? The first couple paid for two meals, lots of people paid for someone else's meal, and in the end maybe one person or group got a free meal. I fail to see the "Gee, this ought to cheer up the entire country" import of this story. In the end, no one in need received anything (unless someone needs to find out that there is still at least one generous couple left in the Corporate States of America -- hmmm, maybe it IS important to remind ourselves of that).
Think how much greater this story would have been if they were all eating in a five-star French restaurant and the bills were running in the hundreds of dollars. That's the perfect story for the front page of the NY Times -- where they would emphasize that even though the rich are suffering mightily during the current economic downturn, there are still rich people in America who care enough about their fellow rich people to try to spread a little joy during the holiday season. (Jeebus, I'm sobbing...).
It's pretty obvious what the health care debate (not to mention the general state of our politics) has done to my mood and frame of mind. It would have been a lot nicer if the first couple -- and every other couple who could afford to eat out (even in a lowly diner) had mailed a check in the amount of their bill to a relief organization (here or abroad) or other charity to help people who aren't going to be eating in that or any other restaurant now or anytime soon.
Forgive my cynicism, but I think this is one of the things that is really wrong with this country -- we blow up tiny symbolic events and pretend they represent something good about the whole country, when nothing could be further from the truth. If someone wants to know how generous this country really is, look into the benefit amounts that are available to mentally and physically disabled people in this country. For example, food stamps will give a single person with no income $200 a month for food. With careful shopping that can provide a reasonably balanced diet. However, if the individual somehow manages to come up say $500 a month ($6,000 annually), that $200 is considered too much and will be cut. We consider an income of $8400 to be unacceptably high. Such programs are designed to be punitive -- shame on anyone for being out of work, disabled, or, worst of all, mentally ill!
Today, the US is a country living off the myths it has created about what a great, peace-loving, generous bunch of people we Americans are.
Sorry, to be such a downner, Susie, but there are millions of people (in this country, not to mention the rest of the world) who need a lot more than to have someone pay for a diner check.
(I'm off to look at Norman Rockwell paintings....)
mentally disabled, bipolar and PTSD. I don't get much in aid to live on, but doing little things for other people is something that makes me happy, both to do or to hear about others doing.
You don't know what kind of mood some of the diners were in, since the holidays tend to get some people depressed. But something small, even if just a surprise dinner bill being paid for, may have made them feel connected to the other diners, especially as everyone started to pay each other's bills!
Don't underestimate what simple acts of kindness can do for people! I'm sorry you're feeling bah humbug about the holiday, and I hope someone surprises you. <3
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
I'm in Canada, but if I could buy you dinner, I would.
We can, however, do something decent for another human being. This isn't "either/or" - it's "and." Yes, we have terrible injustice in this country - AND we can still do kind things for other people. Any special reason why we can't do both?
Should activists burn themselves out on despair before you take them seriously?
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
Never mind the lone diner. That the real stingy motherf&&&ers are the second-to-last ones, the guys who paid HIS tab. Those were the ones who said, "Hey, let's only pay for that guy eating alone, so we don't have to pay as much." Everyone else before them paid forward as much as the benefit they got.
...the second-to-last was a couple who ate lightly- 2 eggs, toast and coffee- while the last guy had 3 eggs, steak, 3 pancakes, a side of sausage links, coffee and orange juice? I've got friends who eat like that last guy.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
I'd want to pay the bill for someone who needed the help. What if I pay someone's tab, then see them pull out of the parking lot later in a new high-end car (I drive a 17 year-old Honda Civic)?
I'd feel stupid. The cash would have been better off going to a food bank.
Random acts of kindness are all very well, but that's the thing - they're random, in intent and effect.
Maybe their own car is an 18-year old Honda.
Maybe you'd feel stupid later for judging the book by the cover.
But you're right about one thing- the effect is random. But I'd guess that most- the overwhelming majority, actually- of the people who are paying it forward are feeling pretty happy, and the intent is to share the happiness they're feeling.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
. . . the happiness of the giver is the object, not the degree to which her or she may be giving aid to fill a real need?
I know it feels good to help people, but that can't be the reason to to give. It has to be about the recipient, not your own ego.
If the story was that the people not only paid someone else's bill, but also worked as the server, you'd say that it was just satisfying their own egos until they also worked the grill, huh? Or would you take it further back? Would they need to drive the truck that delivered the food? Would they need to grow the grains that made the bread that became the toast, and raise the chickens that laid the eggs that were scrambled?
Oh, wait, I get it. Instead of paying the brunch tab for strangers, one should pick out a homeless person and give that person all of one's wealth, home, cars, possessions, children, employment....Because if you're going to be a purist about this, it's only logical that, eventually, to really spread joy, one needs to find a way to be crucified.
But even then, there's going to be someone who says, "He only gave his life to satisfy his own ego."
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
This is a working-class city neighborhood. If I had to guess, I'd say a fairly large percentage of people at the Aramingo Diner (judging by the jackets and bumper stickers) are union members, and prosperous compared to the people who are not. That's because they own small row homes that allow them to live well. If they had McMansions, it would be a different story.
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
there might be some feel good stuff going on at other places too. Also, get Baby Jesus to pass the health care reform rather than paying random folk's tab.
Actually, I think many of the generous patrons may have been conservatives. But the one lone diner was an inveterate malignant narcissist. It's a genetic flaw, made worse by flawed upbringing.
The problem is that the leaders of the modern conservative movement are largely malignant narcissists.
Ah, well. Some people have had so little kindness in their lives, they don't know what to do with it when they see it. They don't really understand we're all in this together.
Really, Susie? So if some anonymous person paid for your lunch, your first instinct would be to pay for someone else's? Really?
I like this story too, but let's not pretend this is a standard or even common practice. It's certainly the first time I've ever heard about it. And there's no indication that the waitresses were telling everybody what the diners before them did. So how about not making that last guy out to be a Grinch just because he didn't automatically fall in line with something he'd never heard about.
The spirit of giving also includes giving the benefit of the doubt, you know.
There's always free cheddar in the mousetrap, baby. - Tom Waits
Group dynamics of humans arc toward empathic responses.
in a four table Italian restaurant an ederly couple offered us a bite of their half eaten appetizer. My wife and I recoiled a bit 'cause of germs, but we went ahead and shared with our kids. The couple left and we exchanged some pleasantries. The bill came and it was for the desert only. I told the waitress there was a mistake. She said no, the couple paid for dinner for the four of us.
We were delighted by that little act of kindness.
Mart
Our support personnel didn't get bonuses this year, (neither did I but I don't need or count on the $$.) So without asking my colleagues I went down and forked over some cash to their supervisor, said it was from everyone on my floor and it was up to him to distribute it.
He's conservative as hell, listens to Lameball, but is a good hearted person and I'd be willing to bet when he handed the $$ out he added a little something of his own.
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