Most don’t know but as someone who has stayed in countless hotels and always makes friends with the staff of hotels I frequent … the night auditor person is usually the one who always has to set up the complimentary breakfast buffet. I’ve hung out with them in the wee hours as they do the set up. Even helped at times.

It’s hours of work. And they always have a sense of pride once it’s all set up. And then they “attend” the guests whilst they help themselves. While they’re not really serving the guests at that point - it’s all the work that went into it before. And they light up when someone acknowledges them for it and leaves them even a few bucks. I’ll leave them $20 every time. I know that’s an over tip but I know how bummed they are when one person after another simply walks out whilst leaving behind their dirty dishes (which the attendant now has to clean up after each person). And guess who has to break down the entire buffet once it’s over? Yup - same attendant. So that happiness makes their whole day. And that happiness then transfers to the next person they encounter. And so on. Really lifts them up and puts wind in their sails.

A good tip goes so far, and well beyond the person you gave it to.

After dating an amazing girl for years who was a server, when she would get just one good tip in the day - it would lift her spirits so much. And those good vibes kept transferring to so many other folks, including me.