When I first read of this story I was about to do a diary and something held me back, not the least of which was that the incident occurred in Bridgewater NJ, a locality from my experience that is fairly tolerant and open minded. Something just seemed off. Nevertheless the story went viral and became a cause for soliciting donations to Wounded Warriors.
Now a family whose receipt is identical to the one posted on Facebook (minus the hateriol) says they did tip their waitress and provided documentation in the form of their receipt with the same amount and time stamp, and a credit card bill.
But a family contacted NBC 4 New York claiming their receipt from the restaurant shows they did leave a tip, and provided what they said was a credit card statement as proof.
The husband and wife, who asked to remain anonymous, showed NBC 4 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 couple told NBC 4 New York that they believed their receipt was used for a hoax. The wife says she is left-handed and could not have made the slash in the tip line, which she said looks to be drawn from the right.
"We've never not left a tip when someone gave good service, and we would never leave a note like that," the wife said.
The husband said he and his wife have both worked in restaurants and believe in the value of tipping, and noted that he didn't vote for Gov. Chris Christie because the governor doesn't support gay marriage.
The waitress, Dayna Morales, says she never received a tip. The restaurant is declining to comment pending an investigation but would not produce the receipt for NBC.
A manager and the restaurant owner insisted they had the original ticket for the $93.55 charge, but would not produce the receipt for NBC 4 New York and could not explain why the family's credit card was charged for more.
It sounds like the incident started from a misunderstanding when the family was seated and told their server would be "Dan", and when Dayna appeared said "whoa, you're not Dan". Not, as reported, that her name should be Dan.
Personally I always found the restaurant's statement about supporting Dayna a little 'off' and said so in comments, but was told my anger was misdirected; it sounds like this is simple wage theft, maybe even a publicity stunt, masquerading as something else. At least the Wounded Warriors got some much needed donations and attention.
Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 10:12 PM PT: Friends and acquaintances of Dayna Morales have come forward to say she is a habitual liar. She told friends her father raped her and she got pregnant, but had no baby because she got cervical cancer which spread to the baby which died, She even shaved her head because of the cancer, she never served in Iraq or Afghanistan according to the Marines, and she told co-workers a boat landed in her living room during Hurricane Sandy. Concerned, they checked on her and there was a bit of water damage on the carpet at the entrance to her home. She sounds like a very sick individual who needs people's sympathy and will do anything to get it. She will certainly be fired, and I hope she gets help.
http://www.mediaite.com/...