In an awe-inspiring tale of generosity, a server at El Nuevo Mexico in Bastrop, Texas, was left emotionally overwhelmed not once, but twice, by the same customer who generously tipped her $10,000 on each occasion. Tipping culture often sparks debate, but stories like these highlight the profound impact of kindness.
El Nuevo Mexico, a restaurant owned and operated by six siblings, prides itself on creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who walks through its doors. Elvia Jaimes, one of the siblings, shared with FOX 13 News, “It’s all walks of life that come into your restaurant, and you don’t know if they’re having a bad day or a good day.” This philosophy of open-hearted hospitality also translated into giving Denise Ruiz, a server with no prior experience, a chance to join their team eight years ago.
Ruiz formed a special bond with a regular patron, Robert, who demonstrated extraordinary generosity during a visit in June of the previous year. Not only did Robert pay for everyone’s meals in the diner, but he also left a staggering $10,000 tip.
Several months later, the owners publicly expressed their gratitude towards Robert for his heartwarming gesture. Jaimes remarked, “Now that the year has ended, we just felt very grateful. We thought, let’s share it, an act of kindness, just to show that there are still good people out there.”
The next day, during a scorching June afternoon, Robert visited again and encountered Ruiz on shift. An emotional exchange followed when Robert mentioned the passing of his mother, whom Ruiz used to serve breakfast to after church on Sundays. Ruiz was moved to tears by the memories and their shared moments.
Amid this emotional reunion, Robert discovered that Ruiz’s son was undergoing cancer treatment and left another $10,000 tip to help her finance a recuperative trip once her son fully recovered. Overwhelmed by the gesture, Ruiz said, “It made me cry because you see that no longer [is it] just a restaurant or customers – they’re family.”
Ruiz chose to share this second windfall with her colleagues but still plans to take that special trip with her son. She reflected on the experience, saying, “You realize that there is a God when you see actions like that, that are not selfish with no motive and that’s beautiful in this world that’s so chaotic right now.”
This story not only underscores the unpredictability of human kindness but also the deep connections that can form in the most everyday settings. If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.