When Makenzie and Steven Schultz celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary, they went out to eat sushi at a local restaurant in Cedar Rapids, Ohio.
Unfortunately for this couple, many others also decided to dine there at the same time!
The couple had to wait 20 minutes to get a glass of water and it took another 40 minutes to get their entree.
They could have complained and walked away, but they decided to do something that would inspire everyone.
As has been said, “Kind words may be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
Steven and Makenzie Schultz are the proud parents of two adorable twin boys and are hardworking employees.
Everyone would probably agree that this lovely couple deserves a night out every now and then.
Facebook/Makenzie Schultz
But this date night took a turn for the worse when Schultzes did something completely unexpected.
You can probably imagine what it was like to wait for a meal in that restaurant: stressful, boring, and endless.
They could have asked to speak with the manager or left a bad review on a restaurant review site.
But this couple chose to do something different, something few people would think of.
In a Facebook post, Makenzie stated her reasoning:
”So, here’s the deal. Our service tonight sucked. Took 20 minutes to get water, 40 minutes for an appetizer, and over an hour for our entree.
People all around us were making fun of the restaurant and how bad the service was. Yeah, it was pretty terrible.
But, it was very obvious that the issue was being short-staffed, not the server. He was running around like crazy and never acted annoyed with any table. At one point we counted he had 12 tables plus the bar.
More than any one person could handle! It was very obvious that the issue was being short-staffed, not the server. He was running around like crazy and never acted annoyed with any table,” Makenzie writes.
Steven and Makenzie finished their meals and asked for the check. As the waiter returned, he thanked them for their tolerance and then hurried off to other customers.
Facebook/Makenzie Schultz
”As I sat there and watched him run back and forth and apologize for the wait, I said to Steven, ‘Wow, this used to be us. Waiting tables. I don’t miss it at all and I never loved that job. I did it for the tips.’
Steven and I agreed it would feel good to make this guy’s night when he would probably be getting minimal to no tips due to slow service.
We walked out before he saw this and I’m not posting this for a pat on the back.
I’m just sharing this as a friendly reminder to think of the entire situation before you judge. And always always always remember where you came from.”
Makenzie and her husband left a hefty tip of $100, even though the dinner only cost $66.
“We’ve both been in your shoes. Paying it forward,” they wrote on the receipt.
Facebook/Makenzie Schultz
Early in their careers, Steven and Makenzie were servers at a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant.
Only someone who has worked through, and experienced this nightmare in the service industry can understand this scenario.
Steven and Makenzie remembered when they were young and they understood just how insane things can get when a dinner rush comes in.
Hopefully, people will keep Schultz’s experience the next time they go out to eat and it’s busy. Please think about the waiter and not the bad service to no fault of the waiter.
