Let’s spread Christmas cheer by paying it forward.
That was the thinking behind 19 business professionals, made up of realtors, mortgage lenders, title loan officers, who all gathered at an Ashburn IHOP on Wednesday morning.
Realtor Tanya Johnson invited the group to join her at IHOP. She asked each guest to bring a $100 bill with them with the invitation. She was elated when so many showed up.
“I have the best friends in the world,” Johnson shared on social media. “I can’t stop smiling.”
One of the guests, Karen Draper, picked up the $230 tab for the group. Collectively, they left a $1,900 tip after dining in for breakfast with the bills they brought. This went directly to their waitress, Rosa.
Realtor, Pamela Nonemaker, wrote on her social media pages what a fun experience it was to “spread holiday cheer and gifting someone who no doubt didn’t know what to think when 19 loud, crazy and joyous people were sat in her section.”
Nonemaker also shared videos of the experience in her stories. The one video shows Rosa speechless and very touched by their giving hearts. You can also see Rosa stunned and hear her say “I am going to cry,” as the group hands her the lump of cash. This is followed by cheers and Merry Christmas wishes.
In another moment, captured by Johnson on video in which she shares on social media, Rosa says, “Thank you. You made my Christmas,” as you see her clutch her chest in disbelief.
Gifting generous tips to waitresses has been a trend across the country. In some instances, some have caught national attention. Johnson says she got the idea from another realtor friend who shared doing the same recently on social media.
