Tabloids make their money from reports of celebrities behaving badly. Sometimes the stories are true, sometimes they’re fictional, but they’re always sensational. Apparently awful behavior is a natural result of overweening privilege. Regardless of the actual cause, it’s refreshing to read a story of a famous person doing nice things.
Case in point: Johnny Depp celebrated the premiere of his newest movie “Public Enemies” at Chicago’s Gibsons Steakhouse, along with co-star Marion Cotillard and director Michael Mann. At the end of the long night, around 2:30 AM, Depp astounded his waiter, Mohammaed A. Sekhani, with a tip of $4,000.
Depp had been to the restaurant several times before during the filming of the movie, and had gotten to know the waiter, who he affectionately calls “Mo”. The wait staffer said that Depp is his favorite star to wait upon, citing his humble and undemanding nature.
This is a wonderful lesson not just to children, but to adults as well. It’s very easy to think of our food servers as mere background noise, or servants meant only to wait upon our needs, but they’re human beings, deserving of our respect. It’s not an easy job, tending to the needs of a room full of frequently impatient people, and tips are often a much-needed supplement to their income. Even in positions of subordination to others, simple dignity demands that we offer others the benefits of patience and compassion. We should always expect to treat other people the way we ourselves would wish to be treated.
Johnny Depp, we salute you!
Comments
girlatastartup
June 25th, 2009 - 2:36:18 PM
I waitressed through school and definitely know what a humbling and difficult job that serving tables can be. Kudos to you, Johnny Depp! And to Mr. Sekhani, I suggest you put that money into savings.
Alini
June 25th, 2009 - 4:13:30 PM
I Agree.... Hospitality work is no fun... cheers to Johnny Depp for not being a jerk.
Johnny Depp Gives his Waiter a $4,000 Tip! | Girl at a Startup
June 25th, 2009 - 5:42:29 PM
[...] you hear the story of how Johnny Depp gave his waiter a $4,000 tip? I think its sort of fantastic and generous, especially because I waited tables for a LONG TIME [...]