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Family Denies Stiffing Gay Waitress On Tip, Shows Receipt & Credit Card Bill
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 26, 2013
Modified Nov 26, 2013
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By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 26, 2013
Modified Nov 26, 2013
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Earlier this month, NJ waitress Dayna Morales shared a check and a terrible story with Have a Gay Day (which posted them on its Facebook page), recounting that a family didn't tip her, with the message, "I'm sorry but I cannot tip because I do not agree with your lifestyle and how you live your life." The image and story went viral—but now the family says Morales made up the whole story.
The incident occurred at the Asian Gallop Bistro. The husband and wife showed NBC New York "a receipt that appeared to be printed at the same minute, on the same date, for the same $93.55 total, except with an $18 tip. They also provided a document they said was a Visa bill, which appears to indicate their card was charged for the meal plus the tip, for a total of $111.55."
The wife added that she's "left-handed and could not have made the slash in the tip line, which she said looks to be drawn from the right," telling NBC New York, "We've never not left a tip when someone gave good service, and we would never leave a note like that." Her husband also said they didn't vote for Chris Christie because he doesn't support same-sex marriage, "Never would a message like that come from us."
The couple, who also says they've worked at restaurants and believe in tipping, wanted to get the message out to people. When NBC New York confronted the Asian Gallop Bistro's management—which has been supportive of Morales—they didn't have much to say and later said they were investigating the incident.
Morales had also told the media that not only did the family not tip her, the mother said, "Oh I thought you were gonna say your name is Dan. You sure surprised us!" upon seeing her. But the wife said the confusion was because another restaurant employee told them their server was going to be Dan.
NBC 4 New York also spoke to Morales, who insisted that the handwriting on the check was not hers. As for whether it was a hoax, she said, "I don't know, all I know is what I've been saying."
Morales has said that she was going to donate all her tips from supporters to the Wounded Warriors Project; that is still the plan so far. It's unclear whether this receipt will join other hoax receipts or if there needs to be more Internet sleuthing.
Tagged
anti gay
asian gallop bistro
dayna morales
hoax
receipt
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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